Sewing for Children
Infants required shirts, petticoats or slips, day and night gowns, day and night caps, a large supply of diapers and diaper covers, stockings, a cloak for warmth, and of course the blankets and sheets for the cradle or crib.
Girls and toddler boys had dresses with either shirts, shifts, or slips plus drawers (what we call pantalettes) underneath; stockings; and sometimes pinafores or aprons. Older boys had trousers, shirts, and jackets. Overcoats for boys and girls were also frequently made at home. For a family of multiple children of a range of ages, all constantly growing, making new clothes, and altering, cutting down, and mending old ones to make them last for another child, could be an almost continuous task.
Child’s striped cotton socks, 1850–1880, gift of Polly Bloedorn, 96.22.6A&B
Child’s cotton drawers, about 1860, gift of Bertha Foster Glidden, 4080.7
Girl’s cotton shift, 1800–1830, DAR Museum, 2006.6
Infant’s printed cotton gown, about 1860, gift of Mary Sue Pattie in honor of Sue Wade McDonald, 87.20
Child’s petticoat, 1830s, gift of Barbara L. Chuko, 96.95
Printed cotton dress, 1890–1899, DAR Museum, 2001.34.3
Boy’s cotton sateen trousers ,1858–1860, Georgia, gift of Mary Morris Morgon, 85.75
Boy’s checked cotton shirt, 1780–1810, Connecticut, gift of Lenis Barney, 2010.51.2
Infant’s cap, 1830–1850, cotton, gift of Grace W. Bloodgood, 6728