Black pigeon breast bodice with cording applique

Unidentified · 1900s

A black pigeon breast blouse with black cotton cord applique. The blouse features a band collar made of one panel of black machine lace that has been stiffened with five whale bones (baleen.) The baleen bones have been machine stitched to the interior collar. The pigeon breast front is made from one panel of fabric, composed of pieced together open weave black silk chiffon and black floral machine lace.These panels have been handstitched together in an alternating pattern. The fabric is vertically pleated at the shoulders and the waist and tapers slightly inward at the center front hem. Black floral cotton cording is handstitched to the front bust, across the shoulders, continuing on to the back. The fabric is bast stitched along the waist and is covered by a panel of black pleated synthetic satin. Each sleeve is one panel of pieced together fabric that is seamed at the inner arm. A 4" shaping dart is sewn into each sleeve near the wrist and each wrist features a black machine lace cuff.