Victorian (?) lace/linen child's dress

Victorian (?) lace/linen child\'s dress

Hey all,

I picked up this very adorable old cream-colored linen and lace child's garment yesterday at the flea market. Overall it's in good solid shape except for two small mothbites and some staning due to age.

I would just like a better idea of how old it is and what sort of piece it is, since I am by no means familiar with child's fashions of the era. I suspect it's some sort of undergarment since it's too thin to be even a summer dress. Additionally, does anyone have any tips on how I could clean this piece without harming the fabric? I had thought about soaking it in warm water with a little handsoap but I will await your expertise before I attempt such a thing.

Pics below:






Thanks much!
~Tiff~

 

That is just beautiful, but this era is not my expertise. I am sure someone will be along in a minute to help.

 

I agree - beautiful!

Unfortunately, I can't help with this era either but hopefully our resident expert (Hollis!) will stop by soon

 

You might want to try Orvus to soak it in. You can often get it in quilt shops or feeder supply housese - they sell it as dogwash. It's a lot cheaper as dog wash than as quilt soap.

Now as to age, etc. - it is a child's dress, and it is a summer dress that would have gone over a opaque cotton simpler slip and other undies. That dropped waist was popular for a long time as was this type of tucked and lace trimmmed dress. I am no expert on children's clothes, so I usually put these in a broad period category , say 1900 - 1925. These can appeal to the doll collectors if they are small enough for the large size dolls.


Hollis

 

Wow - that was quick. Lol. Thanks for your help, Hollis! I agree with you, while I was looking through my Victorian costume book I saw that this style of child's dress was around for a long time, which made it hard for me to pinpoint a date for it. So it was worn over other things? makes sense then - since it'd be a shame to hide all that lovely lace and detailing under a heavier outer layer.

Again, thanks and I will check out this Orvus stuff.

~Tiff~

 

I have a photo of my great uncle at age 2 wearing a very similar dress. That would have been about 1910.

Sue knows children's things, I believe. Maybe she pop by soon.

Lizzie