Maine Memory Network

Historic Clothing Collection - Fabric Adaptive Reuse

"Fabric Adaptive Reuse View the Fabric Adaptive Reuse Slide Show In the past, when silk textiles were so expensive and new dresses required…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1930-1940 - Page 1 of 4

"… changed the mood of the times, and of fashion and fabrics. The boyish, shapeless, twenties style disappeared, replaced by a more feminine…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1870-1890 - Page 3 of 4

"… solid colors the ground will be a dead, rep-like fabric, and the velvet figure will be quite large.” This fashion for contrasting plain and figured…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1940-1950 - Page 1 of 3

"At present (2020) there are no examples of the simple restricted fabric fitted, short basic skirt suits from the early war years."

Historic Clothing Collection - 1970-1980 - Page 2 of 3

"The item is of a natural off-white short pile fur fabric, lined with heavy cream polyester satin, and without a label."

Historic Clothing Collection - 1960-1970 - Page 2 of 3

"… Society Although Crimplene and other firm knit fabrics were was extensively used for mini dresses, there are no examples in this collection nor is…"

Historic Clothing Collection - Lace and fringe trimmed walking dress, ca. 1865 - Page 1 of 4

"… After the Civil War, American-manufactured silk fabrics, threads and trimmings, along with the sewing machine, encouraged extra detailing on…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1920-1930 - Page 1 of 3

"… ready to thread onto looms and be made into fabrics marketed as artificial silk. The name "rayon" was adopted in the mid-1920s."

Historic Clothing Collection - Fashions Far & Away

"… Far & Away Slide Show Imported garments and fabrics are an integral part of American fashion, and of the collection at Maine Historical Society."

Historic Clothing Collection - White cotton dress with gigot sleeves, Portland, ca. 1828 - Page 1 of 2

"White work (white embroidery on white fabric) is reminiscent of christening gowns or ceremonial items."

Historic Clothing Collection - Eighteenth Century - Page 2 of 3

"Quilted petticoats of different fabrics and degrees of quilting complexity were worn under short gowns (so called because they extended only a short…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1970-1980 - Page 3 of 3

"The fabric is also reminiscent of influential Italian designer Emilio Pucci, whose name is synonymous with colorful, dramatic prints."

Historic Clothing Collection - 1900-1910 - Page 2 of 3

"… because the linings supporting the delicate fabrics fell apart. Linings were often made of less costly weighted silk."

Historic Clothing Collection - 1920-1930 - Page 2 of 3

"… and held with a gathered length of trailing fabric to help distract from a "faulty" figure. Not to distract or disguise, but to give extra room to…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1890-1900 - Page 2 of 3

"… a statuesque gown of heavy cream satin, a similar fabric to the Haskell Silk Company wedding satin. Aside from wedding dresses, a bodice with a…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1830-1850 - Page 3 of 3

"… by inserting batting between lining and outer fabric. With layers of heavy quilted petticoats—of which there is a selection in the collection—the…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1960-1970 - Page 3 of 3

"… of a fun lime green very 'sixties' daisy printed fabric. Bridesmaid dress, ca. 1969Maine Historical Society Nylon chiffon bridesmaid…"

Historic Clothing Collection - Mid Twentieth Century

"… to tell of the War year's make-do-and-mend fabric scarcity, or regulations restricting garment manufacture."

Historic Clothing Collection - 1930-1940 - Page 2 of 4

"A dusty pink knit-like woven wool fabric robe with padded shoulders, and side tie closure features luxurious magenta satin lapels, cuffs, and lining…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1950-1960 - Page 2 of 4

"… and rebellion, they were the years when new fabrics made of new synthetic fibers began to appear."

Historic Clothing Collection - 1950-1960 - Page 1 of 4

"Following the austerity and fabric shortages of the War years, this feminine look was happily embraced by some, but a point of controversy among…"

Historic Clothing Collection - Outerwear 1900-1930

"… The domestic industry’s now prolific silk fabric production made all kinds of different silk garments and trimmings available, and relatively…"

Historic Clothing Collection - 1940-1950 - Page 2 of 3

"… war was over, pocket and pleats appeared again as fabric restrictions were lifted. An example of such is a shortish everyday dress made of narrow…"

Historic Clothing Collection - The Maine Historical Society Historic Dress Collection - Page 2 of 2

"… clothing takes its place as part of the fabric of local and national history. In this way objects in the MHS Historic Dress Collection make an…"