A beautiful, vintage checked skirt came in the mail. Thank you, Mo! It’s very cool. It’s machine stitched with a ruffle at the lower edge and features a draw string waist, with no additional closure.
The lower edge is reinforced with a blue and white ticking. I love the two prints together. I also adore the hand darned repairs.
Finally, there is a secret pocket underneath the ruffle.
Since it’s too shallow for a gun and not secure enough for a set of keys, I’m guessing it was used for money. A tube of lipstick, perhaps? What do you think?
The sense of a life lived, with all its secrets and tribulations, duties and flourishes, comes through this garment. I’m imagining a small resourceful woman in command of her manse — a woman equipped with a fierce will and a few tricks up her sleeve (and money in her hem!)
I’m not sure I’ll be able to stand to cut it up. But, eventually? You know me — the scissors often win out.
What a treasure!
Maybe her passport? Oh the stories it holds in all those folds ….
Oh genius idea! It’s about the right size.
it came from an old castle in Germany I my friend said it’s over 100 years old, did you notice the gathering that makes a bustle at the back and the secret side pocket ?
I did not notice the bustle gathering! I wonder if she was upstairs or downstairs.
I’ve bought things like this – garments with character, home from thrifts. Well-made things that have had a lot of use. I like to open the seams with a seam ripper imagining that one day, I’ll find something sewn in. Some message from the maker. Nothing so far.
We have taken that approach to our 200+ year old house, too. Still hoping to find a gold brick in the attic. So far, just rusty horseshoes (out back. Not in the attic).
A secret pocket, eh?! Very cool gift for you.
Yup
Mended cloth has so much character … I mourn for all the things I let go and would so gladly mend if I still had them. This survivor is fortunate to have fallen in a series of sympathetic hands.
I may dress the dress form and let this skirt continue to have a life as a skirt!
love this thought….
I have some vintage Edwardian tops from my mother’s textile collection. Perhaps a whole outfit? Even if the the time periods don’t quite line up.
Love this idea!!
Scissors lose this time! At the very least, I want to use this garment as a writing prompt. I guess I need to find out more about that castle on Germany!
I like the texture woven into the cloth. What a prize!
I agree. And the pattering of herringbone and stripe is just so ? So what ____? Lively, I guess, and satisfying.
The gun…made me laugh! I would have stuck a fiver in that pocket.
Lately I have been lamenting garments I let go…blousy pants and a paisley print gauze skirt I got in London, tiered cotton skirts I made and one that was heavily beaded…ugh…can’t fathom why I let them go.
You and me both on the things let go. On the other hand there is more I probably OuGhT to let go. I think money is a good bet for that little pocket. Maybe pinned. My mother’s generation used to talk about “pin money”.