Silk Dress (1850-1860) worn by Isabella Margaret Cuthbert Bragg, wife of Governor Bragg (1855-1859). Two piece dress with red, green, black, and white silk plaid with brown ribbon stripes. Three stitched, boned darts on each side of bodice front.
Isabella Bragg’s dress, ca 1850-1860, North Carolina Museum of History Collections, Accession number 1989.87.1
Pleated pagoda sleeves trimmed with embroidered fringe braid. Hand sewn bodice. All seams corded, hook and eye closure with tan cambric lining. “I.Bragg” written on lower section of the bodice. Machine-sewn skirt features four gores with inverted pleats at center front and on each side outlined with velvet braid and an acorn drop. Skirt originally hemmed by hand but re-hemmed with sewing machine. Alterations to both sleeve and skirt in modern times and worn to historical celebrations.
Isabella Bragg’s dress, detail, ca 1850-1860, North Carolina Museum of History Collections, Accession number 1989.87.1
Detail, Isabella Bragg’s dress, ca 1850-1860, North Carolina Museum of History Collections, Accession number 1989.87.1
Source: North Carolina Museum of History, Accession number H.1989.87.1.
civilianwartime 