split crotch bloomers

[anotheranon]

In and among the other many things this week, my SIL J. kindly gifted me with a pair of open-crotch bloomers that she discovered at a new shop near where she lives in CA. The owner is evidently a vintage collector of some preservation capability, because they are in fantastic shape!

They are also a useful "guinea pig" for my first run use of my "museum kit", a set of portable microscope/magnifying glasses, calipers etc. I've been slowly accumulating for use when (if?) I ever get off my ass and visit a collection behind the scenes. I'm also curious to take a look at stitches, thread count etc. and figure out when these were made - my preliminary reading suggests they stopped being made in the 1920s, but they were first seen in around 1810ish. I'd like to do my own end of homework before I start bugging the circle of experts I know!

Even though they're my size, given the possible age I'm not going to try them on. BUT, I may take a pattern from them - could be useful for wear under Regency.

Comments

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

What a marvelous treasure for her to give you!

And you made me think of a related something in my library that I had to scan for you (slightly crooked, but the book is an odd shape and stiff-spined) ... a most unexpected source for a mention of vintage split-crotch undergarments ***grin*** ('tis in your inbox by now)

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

They really were more than generous of her! I'm rather excited to share with her what I find out about them.

Re: the vintage split-crotch - received, not sure when I'll have a chance to look at, but THANK YOU!

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

The scan is purely for fun ... and I'm sure it'll give you a laugh when you figure out who the writer is (not terribly difficult)

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

katexxxxxx on my flist did some work with investigating and restoring some similar period undies a few months back and posted the results on dressdiaries

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Oooh, thank you for the tip! Will check it out when I have time.

It's very juvenile, I know, but...

[nminusone.livejournal.com]

Every time I try to read this post I get as far as the title, then my inner Butthead starts giggling uncontrollably. A couple minutes later I can breathe normally once more and try again... lather, rinse, repeat. ;) Congrats on the big score tho!

Re: It's very juvenile, I know, but...

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Thanks :) And re: what they're called.....yeah :P But there's really no other way to describe them. They're foofy white bloomers...with an open crotch seam. No other way to say it :P