Long, ruffled, cream half petticoat skirt made in hard times from a recycled flour bag.
During the Great Depression when money was scarce for many, some women had to make do with fabric sourced from empty flour sacks. For the same reason, examples of children's clothing made from stock feed sacks have been documented. This necessity may have continued into the 1940s when fabrics and clothing were rationed during wartime. The fabric used in this skirt is the calico from a sack of Brunton's Royal Patent Flour, an Australian company, dating to the 1930s. The style is more in line with the late '40s or early '50s, and as it was originally a petticoat designed to be worn beneath a full evening dress and wouldn't be seen, the maker appears to have used whatever available fabric she had in storage. The fabric from the sack has been pieced together on the cross. You can see the brand stamp of the flour mill in mirror image on the waistband, where the maker has turned the stamp to the inside of the band.
The floor length skirt is quite full and has a wide ruffle at the hem. It closes on one hip with hooks and eyes and press studs. The skirt is too small for the mannequin and is photographed unclosed on one hip. It's quite roughly sewn. Fabric is heavyweight cotton calico.
Measurements
Size - Extra Extra Small
- Waist 58.5 cm (23")
- Hips to 76 cm (30")
- Length 109 cm (43")
Condition
Excellent condition. The sewing is not very neat.
Free shipping within Australia.
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