DRESS
CulturePrince Edward Island
Dimensions51 x 41.5 cm (20 1/16 x 16 5/16 in.)
Object numberHF.2023.10.2
DescriptionA handmade dress made for a child. Made of white cotton with green polka dot pattern and eyelet trimmed lace with a four-petalled flower design. Lace is present on the chest and around two pockets on the front of the dress. Five round, clear buttons with a triangular design are present on the back of the dress. Numerous blood stains are present on the front and back of the dress. Narrative
The donor recollects how all her dresses were homemade by local Summerside dressmakers, with new dresses often coming from repurposed from her sister's clothing. This particular dress was made by either an Aunt Emmeline, described as "a stately looking-white haired lady", or made by a local dressmaker named Cora MacNeill.
The dress was made for a special occasion and the young three-year old was given explicit instructions by her mother to stay outside and not get dirty. But on this day, the fates really worked against this young girl because she accidentally stepped on a rake in the yard and cut her foot. Blood sprayed everywhere, including this adorable white, heavily starched dress. The evidence of this disaster is still visible on the dress and on the donor's foot, which bore a lifelong scar!
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