Paint and herringbone, chain, buttonhole, stem, and running stitches on commercial cotton fabric, with commercial synthetic fringe. Machine-pieced top in Diamond in a Square type pattern on white background. Sashing to make diamond and square forms are pieced with blue and white cotton. Blue pieces are outlined in blue running stitch on their short sides. Points of square and diamond are white fabric, with blue running stitch in square form.
Painted floral wreath in center diamond, with an embroidered bow in blue buttonhole. Wreath includes five roses in pink and red; greenery; blue, pink, yellow, purple, and orange flowers; and red berried sprigs.
Triangular areas, outside of diamond, each contain 4 painted flowers. One blue flower in each outside corner, with orange center. Three flowers along diamond edge. One five-lobed yellow flower, with orange center. One large pink and red rose, with greenery. One purple five-lobed flower, with orange center. Floral vine and leaf outer border. Five-lobed pink flowers worked in blanket stitch, with stem stitch highlights. Vine worked in green herringbone stitch. Leaves in green blanket stitch, with chain and stem highlights. Machine-applied commercial synthetic twisted fringe on four sides.
Back is machine-pieced white cotton. Shows evidence of embroidered green leaves, blue running stitch and ribbon, and pink highlights.
Original inventory number--630.
Provenance
Collected by George Lyster in Lancaster Co. Intended as a gift, entire collection remains on loan.
Amish infant girl's dress of gray cotton blend, made by mother Arie Stoltzfus for baby daughter Becky, born 18 April 1964, died 31 August 1964. Machine-sewn dress has long sleeves, a high waist with pleated skirt. Opens at back from neckline to mid point. Two snap closures.
Small handwritten note from donor reads: "Dress worn by little Becky, given by her mother (to donor) as a remembrance. She was born on April 18, 1964, and died on August 31, 1964. Becky was able to wear this dress until she died at the age of four months and thirteen days. Parents: Phares and Arie Stoltzfus."
Provenance
From maker, Arie Stoltzfus, to donor Fannie Stoltzfus Ellenberg.
Very good condition except for stains. Large dark brown liquid stain on skirt front, 2.5" up from hem near center. Some lighter adjacent stains. A .75" round stain at neckline, at right. Back has smaller brown stains at left along where sleeve attached. A few tiny brown stain spots scattered front and back
Object ID
2017.011.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of Fannie Z. Stoltzfus Ellenberg in memory of her mother Annie B. Stoltzfus
Deep rose Lancaster Amish girl's dress, polyester, machine-sewn by donor's mother, Annie B. Stoltzfus. Long sleeves; pocket in front; four pleats at skirt front and three at back; two darts at neckline. Opening in back has four dark purple buttons. Worn by donor as a girl.
Mennonite Meeting House. Two separate Conservative Mennonite "Plain" Sects use and maintain this House of worship. Religious services are held by the groups on alternating Sunday monrings.
Mennonite Courting Buggy. Generally used by unmarried Old Order Mennonite boys, the bachelor buggy has no top or a convertible-type tilt top. Family buggies are completely enclosed by curtained sides.
