Casgliadau Arlein

Dress worn by Mary Harry of Pontyberem on cruises and travels abroad, 1920s-30s.

Made from cream, light-weight silk fabric; long, puffy sleeves, which are gathered at cuffs and at shoulder; cuffs are reinforced on the inside with white cotton twill tape; skirt approximately mid-calf length, gathered into waistband and reinforced with 5cm wide cotton twill hem tape.

The bodice has a centre back opening which extends into the skirt section (by 23cm). The lower section (from the waist up) is fastened with five metal poppers and the upper section with five metal hooks which fasten onto corresponding holes; the top-most hook fastens onto a stitched loop. The small holes have been finished with hand-sewn stitches. The fastenings have been reinforced on the inside by a length of white cotton twill tape down either side of the opening.

Front and back of bodice both have a V-shaped rouched section achieved through rows of gathered material; where the V comes to a point (at centre front and centre back waist) there is a cream silk bow. This bow is stitched just above the waist tape which is covered by lace (embroidered net); on either side of the V-section is a wide flounce which falls over the shoulders. Bodice and upper ¾ of sleeves are lined with white cotton twill fabric. The bodice lining is made up from 8 pieces: two upper and two lower sections on both front and back; there are four waist darts: two at the front and two at the back. Cotton tape loops are attached to the inner front arm holes. The waistband is reinforced on the inside with a strip of cotton twill fabric.

Applied cream braid decoration at neckline, outlining the V-shape at front and back of bodice, along the edge of the shoulder-flounce and at edge of cuffs; also along a horizontal line, half-way down the V of bodice.

2cm wide lace trim at neckline and at cuffs.

Combination of hand and machine-stitched.