Moire Silk Bustle Petticoat
This petticoat is constructed of moire, or watered silk. The fabric has a heavy hand to it. It measures 13" across the waist and is 37" long. It is fully lined in black polished cotton and has a black wool hem tape. The cotton lining was turned up first and whipped stitched into place by hand. Then the hem tape was wrapped around the bottom edges and hand sewn into place.
The petticoat is gathered in the back and pleated in the front, creating a moderate bustle shape to the petticoat.
At hip-length there is a post-construction, hand-sewn 5/8" tuck around the circumference of the petticoat. This, along with other details, suggest to me that this was once a skirt that was later modified to be worn as a petticoat for warmth. The petticoat is very heavy and warm and has a stiff hem interlining.
The petticoat is flat-lined with all seams pressed open and over cast in white. The seams are machine sewn while the seam finish is hand sewn. There is a pocket set into the left hand pocket by hand. The petticoat closes with a single hook and eye at center back.