Vigo County Historical Society

Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - December 23, 1984
By Susie Dewey

Ball gown revives era's romanticism

The champagne-colored ball gown displayed on a dressmaker's form in the sewing shop in the Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley evokes not only the social life of an earlier era but also pure romance.

The dress was some lady's pride and joy. The many elaborate details all blend into a modish simplicity that required expert craftsmanship, excellent materials and sophisticated design.

The dress may have been sent to the sewing shop for remodeling. Perhaps the exptemely tiny waist grew a bit larger. Perhaps the turn of the century style needed a bit of modernization with an overskirt, which is in evidence. Maybe the modified bustle needed to be modified further for the new styles. Perhaps the neckline, cut low to reveal a beautiful throat and a family jewel or necklace had become a bit too low.

For whatever reason the dress was at the shop on the owner's dress form. The most mundane of reasons, of course, might be the repair of the train, torn during an evening of active dancing.

The silken fabric was probably imported from Paris. The intricate seed pearl designs around the neck and the cuffs also probably were created and sold as units for the dress. They were distinctive, expensive and beautiful.

As in this dress, the designer and pattern publisher often sewed the seed pearls to lace of ball gowns. The petals of the tight bodice were held down by weight in each petal. The sleeves ended just below the elbow and, no doubt, white kid gloves met the lace and beaded cuffs.

The skirt is made of striped satin panels. The shape is controlled by strategic seaming. The short train has stiffening and lace pleated ruching. Nowhere is the sophistication of the design more apparent than in the train, which would have been lifted by a loop when the lady danced.

And dance our lady did. Accompanying the dress is a folded dance card. The words "New Denison" and "February 10" are printed on the card.

Gentlemen's names have been scribbled opposite the dances. The gown's wearer was very popular and knew many dances. She was signed up for the lancers, the waltz, the polka red, the waltz quadrille, the newport and the racquet.

Small wonder the train has rips and loose pieces of lining. An active night took its toll on the dress.

Because the dress is faded it is easy to overlook the elegance and sophistication of this beautiful garment. The dressmaker who created and repaired it was an artist with the needle and fabric. The lady who wore the gown possessed exquisite taste, a good figure and social skills; but most of all she was a romantic figure for her day.