What could this item of clothing be?

[chinakay]

Yes, and everything today, even mild hand soap, has bleach in it, and bleach is alkaline, so who knows what that would do to the proper pH of the fabric...

A conservator might suggest a specialized mild textile soap like Woolite, but check first.

What an interesting thread!

Cheers,
China

[Sandy H]

Thank you Hazel, Prue, & China for your advice!

I will take your advice and I promise I will not wash it until I have contacted someone who knows if I should even wash it at all.

Thank you for the link. I live in the US and I'm not sure I would know where to even look for such advice. I guess that's what Google is for! Our rellies would never believe the convenience of the internet! We're all hooked now...can't live without it.

Cheers

Sandy 

[PrueM]

Hi Sandy,

Sorry, didn't realise you were in the US, here's the link to the AIC Find A Conservator webpage:

http://aic.stanford.edu/public/select.html

It's a bit more fiddly to use than the UK one, but hopefully you'll find someone   

Alternatively, as already suggested, a museum with conservation staff will be able to give you some advice.

[Sandy H]

Good idea!  About a museum conservator.

Thanks!

Sandy

PS. I live in the "sticks" as they call it here in rural Oregon. Everything is more
      difficult!

[JAP]

Hi SandyH,

I've been searching (without success) for a thread where a RootsChatter took PrueM's ever-excellent advice and had a most beautiful christening robe (as I recall - certainly a baby garment) professionally restored.  The result was utterly incredible as shown by the photos on RC.

Perhaps Prue or someone else can find it and give you the link.

I'm sure it will encourage you to follow Prue's advice. 

Your chemise (or whatever it is) is quite fascinating.

Best of luck,

JAP

[PrueM]

Cheers JAP 

I should have thought to link to that; here 'tis: http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,361104.0.html

Prue

[JAP]

Dearest Prue,

Siouxsie's gorgeous PINAFORE, of course!

Ahhhh .......

Stupid JAP! 

A stunning garment and a most amazing restoration.

Thank you so very much Prue for providing the link.

SandyH, I hope you'll enjoy that story of how a garment can be so beautifully restored.

Kindest regards to all,

JAP

[Sandy H]

Dear JAP & Prue,

Funny thing. I just found RC about a week ago and the first thread that I read was the one about Siouxsie's pinafore! That is what inspired me to post a topic about this funny old garment in the first place!

By the way, my mum has in her possession Grandpa Kindred's christening gown. It is about three feet long. It is full of tucks and ruffles. Amazingly fine handwork and stitching. Grandpa's parents were both "Master Drapers", so I don't know who made it, or if the gown came from a generation before.

About 20 yrs ago, I decided that I wanted to use it for my baby daughter, so horror of horrors, I hand-washed it with Snowy or Woolite (can't remember). Very gentle product...no bleach or anything. It turned out gorgeous!

I took photos of it (no digitals back then). It was hard to get up close to show the tiny details because the gown was so long. I would really have to dig deep to find those old pics and maybe the negatives.

The gown, alas, may have "gone missing". It was passed around the family for my sisters and cousins to use. Ownership is shared between my mum and her sister and can be a touchy subject among the family. I will ask my mum next time I talk to her. She is heading to Reno to visit her sis for her 80th Birthday. Good time to pick up the Christening gown, if they have it.

I still wouldn't have access though, because my mum lives 1000 miles away in Southern California.

Cheers

Sandy 

[Danchaslyn]

Hi Sandy H

You are a lucky girl, what lovely heirlooms you have........I've been so intrigued by your Chemise that on your behalf, I've sought the considered opinion of Ruth Goodman.

Ruth, here in the UK needs no introduction, and as you may well have heard of Ruth, but just in case not, as you are in the USA, she is an Historian, specializing in period clothing, all aspects of, including the making of replicas and is an adviser, not only to museums, collection and film-sets, an all round amazing historically focused person.

Ruth has taken part personally in many TV historical productions, including the recent BBC2 TV production, "A Victorian Farm'.  A delightful and fascinating series, where she passed on many facets of her amazing knowledge to viewers.

I sent pics of your Chemise to Ruth and she says its certainly indicative of a Chemise made round about 1816, 'possibly of a work a day sort, in a well off, but not super rich family.'

She also said that 'the date should not be taken to literally, as it may well be commemorative (or even a shelf mark or reference mark in some way) rather than an actual date.'

Good luck Sandy with sourcing 'your' christening gown!

Best wishes

Danchaslyn