Figure 1.-- Here are two patterns of infant bibs offered by Butterick in 1876. Style 3381 shows a front and back view. |
|
We do not know very much about infant bibs. We note very fancy bib patterns offered by Butterick. They seem a bit fancy for actual bibs. We are not sure if only very affluent mothers (or grandmothers and aunts) bought these patterns. I believe these bibs were used as gifts for new mothers. This may be a better explanation of fancy bibs than rich people actually using them for their children. Perhaps families at the time had bibs for special occassions and mothers kept them as keepsakes. Butterick marketed these bibs in both New York and London.
Butterick was founded by Ebeneezer Butterick, a taylor in Stirling, Massachusetts during the Civil War in 1863. He revolutionized the home sewing when he created graded sewing pattern. The inspiration was his wife Ellen who complained that it would be eassier to sew with a pattern. . We do not yet have any of the earliest patterns. We do have a 1900 pattern for a 1900 fancy Fauntleroy blouse. The company continues to be a major force in home and still offers patterns for home sewing. The company in itspromotional literature says that it continues to lead the way in make-it-yourself fashions. I'm not sure just when Butterick began marketing patterns.
Butterick marketed these bibs in both New York and London. The fashions I believe are American, but at the time American fashions were very strongly influenced by English fashion. I think the reason that Butterick was selling the patterns in England is not that the fashions were particularly appealing, but that England at the time did not have such useful patterns ad sewing instructions.
We do not know very much about infant bibs. The Butterick bibs here seem a bit fancy for actual bibs. We are not sure if only very affluent mothers (or grandmothers and aunts) bought these patterns. I believe these bibs were used as gifts for new mothers. This may be a better explanation of fancy bibs than rich people actually using them for their children. Perhaps families at the time had bibs for special occassions and mothers kept them as keepsakes.
We note very fancy bib patterns offered by Butterick. There were two different styles done on the same size. They look to be done with embroidery and lace
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing catalog/magazine pages:
[Return to the Main American mail order 1876 page]
[Return to the Main American mail order 1870s page]
[Main photo/publishing page]
[Store catalogs]
[Fashion magazines]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[About Us]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Girls]
[Theatricals]
[Topics]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Headwear]
[Sailor hats]
[Dresses]
[Kilts]
[Buster Brown suits]
[Eton suits]
[Sailor suits]
[Rompers]
[Tunics]
[Smocks]
[Pinafores]
[Coats]