Child's Shift and Short Gown

Description

This child's shift and short gown were both made from the same undyed linen printed with a small red dot vermiculate and undulating "vermicelli" pattern. The shift is made for a very young child, opening up the center back, shaped with drawstrings high at the waist and neckline, with holes set center front for a lower waistline to accommodate growth. The short gown was made for an older child from the same textile--probably at the same time-- possibly for siblings or for one child to grow into. It is cut as an adult woman's short gown to wear over stays and a petticoat: a loose wrapper with long sleeves and an open front that closes with string ties set in the front opening at chest height.