Thanks so much! We have shirtwaists that do have a longer front, but this one does not. Also, even assuming a tiny waistline, the outside ties are not long enough for a bow -- they can only be knotted. Would the knotted ties be hidden under the skirt top?
Any clue as to the purpose of the longer inner ties? Dede _________________________ West Village Studio www.workroombuttons.com From: Lavolta Press <f...@lavoltapress.com> To: Historical Costume <h-cost...@indra.com> Sent: Friday, August 14, 2015 1:31 PM Subject: Re: [h-cost] Stange detail on early 1900's shirtwaists - help? The ties are quite usual in Edwardian blouses. They are sewn to the back of the blouse and come around to tie in front. They are often too short to tie in a bow rather than a knot, although possibly the original wearer had a smaller waistline than a modern wearer. It's hard to tell the waist size with a full style of blouse. The purpose of the ties is to keep the blouse from riding up, and to secure the arrangement of waist folds the wearer made when putting on the blouse, especially if the blouse has a front "puff" (it will look longer in front than in back when not being worn if that is the case). Blouses of this period could button in either the front or the back, but whichever has the ties sewn to it is the back. Hope this helps. Fran Lavolta Press Books of historic clothing patterns www.lavoltapress.com On 8/14/2015 8:21 AM, WorkroomButtons.com wrote: > We've encountered a puzzling detail present on several early 1900's > shirtwaists at the Reed Homestead (THS Clothing Collection). One example can > be seen here: > https://www.flickr.com/photos/workroombuttons/albums/72157657235770901 > > Please be sure to scroll down a bit and read the descriptions below the > photos. > 1. What is the function of the ties? Front ties are too short to be tied > into a back bow, and inside ties...?2. Which is the front side of the > shirtwaist: pleats or buttons? > > We're really stuck here! Can anyone help us out? Thanks! > Sincerely,Dede O'Hair _________________________ > West Village Studio > www.workroombuttons.com > _______________________________________________ > h-costume mailing list > h-costume@mail.indra.com > http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume > > _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume