Tea Gown

Sage green wool blend and burgundy silk princess tea gown with smocked waist.  Tea gown has puffed gigot sleeves known as 'Amy Robsart' sleeves, identified in the winter 1892 Delineator (pattern 4284 of Butterick, 1892).  Puff at shoulder of right proper sleeve has a very visible seam running along the front, suggesting the seamstress ran out of enough fabric to complete the decorative element.  

Interior of gown closes with shell buttons running from neckline to below waist.  However, the waist has been altered to include an additional separate heavy woven cotton panel hastily inserted - possibly so the gown could haven been worn throughout a pregnancy.  The gown shows multiple areas of wear, most notably in the discoloration and staining of the gown, as well several areas of patching at the inner lining of the garment, most notably at the waist, where the fabric had been pulled too tightly when buttoning.