|
Here we have a home-sewn russet-colored dress. It was sewed by an English aunt in the 1850s who emigrated to America in the 1860s. As dresses were sewn at home, styles and materials were much more varied than when ready-made clothes became more standard. This was more so for boys clothes than girl clothes because sewing dresses for girls wasmore popular than sewing boys clothes anove the todler age. We are not entirely sure that it was made for a boy, but we know that it was worn by a boy. At the time the idea of a boy dress was less advanced than was the coinventions in the late 19th century when dressed might be marketed as boy dressess. Most dresses in the mid-19th centurty. It was worn by Louis Ward Claude (1868-1951) of Baraboo, Wisconsin. It could havejust as well been worn by his sister. The wide time period between sewing and wearing probanly speaks to the fact that fadhion for young children in rural areas was fairly flexible.
Here we have an excellent example of a home-sewn dress along with its interesting history. It is light brown-colored jacketed dress. As it was sewn in England during the 1850s, we have to classify it as an English dress--even though it was worn by an American boy in the 1870s. It was made in cotton sateen. It was made in two pieces. There was a matching jacket and dress made in the same material and corrdinated decoration. Both were heavily decorated with applique. and embroidery. At the time the dress was made, the idea of aess was not very pronounced. We are not sure what the size was, we might guess that it was ewwn for a 4-5 year old.
It was made by an English aunt in the 1850s.
Miss Louise Claude sewed the dress in the mid-1850s. She was living in Ambleside, England. We do not know if any of her English relatives wire it. She brought it to Wisconsin when she emigrated to America in the 1860s.
As dresses were sewn at home, styles and materials were much more varied than when ready-made clothes became more standard. This was more so for boys clothes than girl clothes because sewing dresses for girls wasmore popular than sewing boys clothes anove the todler age.
We are not entirely sure that the dreess here was made for a boy, but we know that it was worn by a boy. At the time the idea of a boy dress was less advanced than was the coinventions in the late 19th century when dressed might be marketed as boy dressess. Most dresses in the mid-19th centurty.
The dress here was worn by Louis Ward Claude (1868-1951) who donated it to the Wisconsin Museum. We are not sure what age Claude wore the dress. Claude lived in Baraboo, Wisconsin. It could havejust as well been worn by his sister. The wide time period between sewing and wearing probanly speaks to the fact that fadhion for young children in rural areas was fairly flexible. Louis was born during in the family cottage "Eagle Craig" at Devil's Lake in Sauk County (May 1868). His father was Louis J. Claude (1825-1893) and Elvira Ward (1834-1929). His father was born in Liverpool, England and lived in Westmorland until he moved to Baraboo (1857). He purchased most of what is today known today as Devil's Lake. Interestingly he was listed as a farmer in the census (1870s). This changed and he was lised by the next Census as a civil engineer (1880s). Louis and Elvira had two children: Louise (1865-1951) and Louis. Louis W. married Edith Mathews (or Mathes, 1863-c. 1946) about 1898. They lived in Madison. The couple left no children. Louis became an architectand became known for his prairie-style buildings, perhaps influenced by Franlk Lloyd Wright. He died in Madison (1951).
Wisconsin Museum
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main vintage dress page]
[Return to the Main dress page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronologies]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Essays]
[Girls]
[Theatricals]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]
