Nightdress

This nightdress was made by Lilian Rowarth as her examination piece for the Royal School of Needlework. It is made of white cotton, with intricately worked bodice and sleeves. The front of the bodice and the small V-shaped yoke at the back are decorated with embroidered insertions and Maltese-type English bobbin lace. Flowers and butterflies are embroidered in white cotton with buttonhole, chain, satin, long, and short stitches, with laid work, cutwork and needle lace fillings. The bodice is pin-tucked below the yoke, allowing the fabric to blouse over the waist in the pouter-pigeon style fashionable in 1905. Embroidered insertions around the waist are threaded through with ribbon. The sleeves and cuffs are decorated with a strip of Maltese lace between embroidered insertions, and the cuffs are finished with a muslin frill and silk satin ribbon bows.