posted on June 25, 2004 01:13:55 PM new
This dress was mine ca. 1958 and I'd like to sell it, but don't have a clue as to what it could sell for. It has the cutest red attached petticoat with white lace underneath. It has no wholes or tears and all it's buttons. The tag says Daddy's Girl Original by Charmose. My mother remembers that my grandmother spent somewhere around $25 for this dress in 1958 at the Higbee Company. Believe it or not, not only did I wear it once, but my daughter, granddaughter and two neices each wore it once only for pictures. By the time my granddaughter has a daughter (we're talking hopefully another 20+ years), I don't think it will be wearable. It needs to be cleaned and properly pressed, but I'm afraid to have it done.
Do these things sell? What do you think I should start it at?
Thanks, all! I still have more of my clothing, believe it or not. My mother kept everything.
Cheryl
[ edited by cblev65252 on Jun 25, 2004 01:14 PM ]
posted on June 25, 2004 01:38:21 PM new
Gorgeous little dress! Is it velvet? Or?
in the Collectibles category, I think there's a vintage sewing category. I'd list it there, because people who do vintage sewing would probably be interested in such older clothing--and you may double-list it in the Clothing category, too, vintage clothing.
I have some little dresses my mother-in-law made for her baby girl in the early 40s and since it doesn't look as though we'll EVER get a granddaughter, I'm thinking of selling them.
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posted on June 25, 2004 01:44:34 PM new
It's not velvet. It's a sheer material. Isn't there a material called charmose? I can't find reference to Charmose, Inc. on the Internet so I'm at a loss.
posted on June 25, 2004 01:50:56 PM new
Cheryl, your dress is lovely. Depending on the size.. often this type of dress sells in the Vintage or Antique Doll category. I could see this on one of the large Playpal dolls.. Maggie
posted on June 25, 2004 01:55:18 PM new
Thanks, maggie! That's a great idea. It's a size 2 so it should fit on some of the walker dolls. Imagine paying $25 for a dress in 1958 - a child's dress! My grandparent's were wealthy at the time, but I know my grandfather probably still hit the roof because my grandmother was always spending money on me (the first grandchild). I don't believe I ever complained. LOL!
It states: "Charmeuse is a satin weave silk with a crepe back sometimes called crepe backed satin."
Nowadays, some polyester farbics that imitate silk are mistakenly called charmeuse. In the 50's this would not have been a polyester dress, though. Poly didn't exist yet for clothing, to the best of my knowledge.
Is there any indication inside what the fabric is? Fabric care tags probably came along later as well?
posted on June 25, 2004 04:39:22 PM new
meadowlark
It's a sheer material that can be stiffened to make it full all the way around. The content tag is not there anymore. Maybe Nylon? There's no stretch to the fabric at all.
Nice dress -- and I wish you luck on whatever you end up doing with it -- sounds like you've gotten a lot of goodness out already and maybe it's time to share it with another family....
I do have a photo question for you -- what techniques are you using to separate your items from the background and add the drop shadow? I've always been impressed with your photos, and these just reminded me to ask about how it was accomplished.
Are you using PhotoShop or one of its derivitives? Briefly, what steps are you using? I'd really appreciate a suggestion on how to do the separation like you do...
Thanks in advance for your help.
Wayne
Never explain -- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
~ Elbert Hubbard
posted on June 25, 2004 05:41:13 PM new
I use MS PhotoDraw. One of the best and easiest programs I've ever used. Unfortunately, MS doesn't make it anymore. One of their best programs and they zapped it. You can still get a copy now and then on eBay. I photograph on a background that contains none of the colors in the object. Also, it needs to be a background that is not the least bit shiney and one that has just one color (or else you are erasing the background for hours, LOL). I then click on the background to cut it out, add a shadow and I have my pic. Takes very little time. IOW, I cut out by color. Hope that helps.
I think you've got it. I just could not remember the name of the fabric and I know that organdy and organza was very popular at that time. Thanks loads!!!
posted on June 25, 2004 05:48:03 PM new
Thanks, Cheryl! I understand and will try that on the next round of photos. It certainly does look very professional when you do it.
Thanks again.
Wayne
Never explain -- Your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
~ Elbert Hubbard
Cheryl, I'm glad I could help. I remember organdy Easter dresses my Mom made for me and my younger sister. Jeeze...they were SO itchy! Made both of us nuts!
Not only that, by the time we got to church we looked like we'd been rolled up in a rug.
posted on June 25, 2004 07:55:05 PM new
Cheryl, Lucy's probably right. If it was nylon, it could not be made stiffer. Organdy and such can be starched and ironed to make stiff and full. Yes, they were a PITA to wear to church. Stiff, itchy and scratchy when starched up.
Now I am confused. The material isn't itchy. In fact, it's soft like silk. Even the underslip is soft. The skirt is full, so it must have been starched to help it be fuller? Is Organza softer? Or, could be that it's soft because the stiffness is worn out of it? I do know my sister-in-law hand washed it and my mother could have strangled her. She did state it has to be taken to the cleaners.
I remember the itchy, scratchy dresses! My mother would tell me to stop fidgeting and scratching in church. LOL! Ya, right. I never had the opportunity to torture my daughter that way and would never have the heart to do it to my granddaughter.
posted on June 26, 2004 04:23:07 AM new
From the fabric pages I sent you:
"Silk... organza is similar to cotton organdy except it is made with silk and is transparent."
"Cotton... organdy is a very thin, transparent cotton with a crisp finish."
From your description, and the pictures, my best guess is that it is silk. Easier to tell if an experienced person holds it in their hand to feel the fabric as well. Best test is the burn test where a few fibers are burnt, but I doubt you are willing to clip a few out of a seam?
Here are the instruction for burning a few fibers to determine content:
I have succesfully used the above when I bought fabric that was supposed to be rayon from an eBay seller. When the fabric arrived and I handled it, I knew right away it was polyester, which I detest since I live in a warm climate and poly does not breathe. I performed the burn test on a few threads and it melted and dripped. Yep, polyester.
Good luck!
Patty
[ edited by meadowlark on Jun 26, 2004 04:27 AM ]
[ edited by meadowlark on Jun 26, 2004 04:48 AM ]
posted on June 26, 2004 04:26:57 AM new
Thanks, Patty. I'll try to get the bravery up later today. I think it's silk by comparing it to a silk dress I have. Now, after discussing it, I'm having a hard time deciding to part with it. It's not like I'll ever fit into it again, right? LOL! I know you shrink with age, but I don't think it's possible to shrink this much.
Glad to see there is another early bird on Saturday morning. The sun hit me in the eyes at 6:00 this morning and up I shot. I just can't sleep when it's daylight. However, once 9:00 pm rolls around, I'm ready to go back to bed. Hmmm, this is the same thing I used to tease my mother about. LOL!
YAWN! I'm glad to be of help. Yeah, it took a bit of courage the first time I did a burn test. Just a few threads, water and a match is all you need. I do it at the kitchen sink with the water running, just in case.
Yeah, I hear old people revert to their childhood. being able to wear it again? Nope. Maybe on your head!
But I do know that feeling of wanting to keep it, although I'm mostly the odd duck in that I don't hold onto the old stuff, dislike most antiques, and vintage items.
Your dress is very pretty and I can see why you would want to keep it.
posted on June 26, 2004 07:04:06 AM new
That's a very interesting site on how to detect fabric type by burning it! It makes sense that anything produced from the body, like wool (hair) or silk (from the silkworms) would smell like burning hair. Same with ivory. Thanks for giving us that link.
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posted on June 26, 2004 01:12:59 PM new
You are both quite welcome!
I found it in an internet search for something else. One of those surprise jewels you find and save for future reference. I have gathered since then, reading elsewhere, that a lot of people that work with/in textiles use the burn test quite a lot to determine fabric content if it's in question.
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