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Collection of Dressmaking Materials

 Collection
Identifier: MS-3991

  • Staff Only

This collection contains material documenting various aspects of dressmaking from around the turn of the 20th century. Included are tailoring school advertisements, pattern books and sketchbooks, and pattern cards.

The companies and schools represented in this collection range in size from the small R. S. Baily Company in the village of Silver Creek, New York to the Women's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Dates

  • 1876-1925

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite, and a minimum of 2 business days are needed to retrieve these items for use. Researchers interested in consulting any of the collections are advised to contact Special Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact Special Collections.

Extent

1.25 Linear Feet (2 boxes (1 oversize flat box, 1 quarter box))

Overview

This collection contains material documenting various aspects of dressmaking from around the turn of the 20th century. Included are tailoring school advertisements, pattern books and sketchbooks, and pattern cards.

Biographical / Historical

Home dressmaking instruction saw a boom in the late 1800s, peaking in the 1890s, and many companies were creating and selling books, patterns, and classes to aid women in sewing dresses of the current style. The tailoring guides in this collection come with an instruction manual as was custom, and sometimes would have accompanied a dressmaking course. Additionally, this material was distributed more readily than ever due to the increase in women's magazines and general improvement in literacy.

Arrangement

This collection is housed in two boxes.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480