Pale Cyan Sheer Overskirt

Overview: The silk skirt, meant to be worn over a bustle foundation, is trimmed with gold rouching.

Construction: The skirt is hand sewn to an ivory grosgrain ribbon. A placket connecting the over skirt to an ivory underskirt is still apparent but mostly ripped away. There are three gathering stitches at the waist just below the waist band. The skirt consists of three panels, machine sewn together and seam allowances hand overcast to finish. The hem is a 4" piece on a fold and sewn to the skirt underneath the bottom row of trim. The skirt has its original hooks and eyes.

Trim: There are three levels of trim on the skirt made out of gold-colored silk satin. The three rows of rouching (see detail image) are only tacked to one another and not the skirt. They are then attached to the top and bottom row of trim which are in turn hand sewn to the skirt. Three rows of pin tucks starting at the waist. The top set has 3 1/8" pin tucks, the second row below the trim has four pin tucks, and the bottom row has five pin tucks.

Damage: The skirt is very delicate and has several small holes and one substantial 6" rip in the skirt. There are remnants of an ecru silk-satin underskirt left in the placket which has now torn away. The hem is stained.