Dress collars and cuffs question

[Mrs. Smokey Toes]

I have done a search and still have not found what I am looking for. I would like to know how "white" was white for collar and cuffs. Would they have been a bleached white like we see today or a very light unbleached linen? IF they were bleached white, what would have been used to acheive that? Thanks,

[KarinTimour]

Re: Dress collars and cuffs question

Dear Kristine:

I've never spun cotton from the boll, though I have seen cotton bolls -- they look very white to me already. I've seen quite a few period cotton socks that likely never were put into chlorine bleach, but they are a rich white, rather than an "unbleached muslin/linen" color.

I do remember Parthenia Hauge writing about leaving towels and other whites in the sun to bleach after washing, and I've also read Virginia Mescher's notes about doing period laundry. She writes that they used bluing with whites to help make them appear even whiter.

Don't know if this is addressing your question,
Karin Timour
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Period Knitting -- Socks, Camp Hats, Balaclavas
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Dress collars and cuffs question

The original accessory items I've been able to handle thus far are still what I'd term "white" in many cases... even after 140 years. They are not a harsh chemical blue-white of poly-cotton, but a nice gentle white, and a far cry whiter than any unbleached muslin I've seen. The natural, normal white you get with 100% cotton batiste, organdies, lawn, etc, fits right in with the originals. This will mellow further with time and laundering, and a touch of bluing gives it that brighter white aspect again, though still not the harsh blue-white of poly blends.

[Mrs. Smokey Toes]

Re: Dress collars and cuffs question

Great information!! Thanks, I will keep all of that in mind when I make the collar and cuffs for my dress that I seemed to have lost them on. Thanks again,

[Mrs. Smokey Toes]

Re: Dress collars and cuffs question

I have one more question. I was wondering about the neck kerchiefs that Ms. Katie Vogel was speaking about back in Feb. She said that they were easky to make and they were just a square piece of fabric that was folded into a triangle then put around the neck. Were they tucked in under the neckline of the dress or just tied around the neck. Also, could the kerchiefs be made of any fabrics(homespun, calico, ect.)? Or should they be white as well? Thanks.