Date: c. 1930s
Origin: United States
Fabric: Viscose satin and cotton lace
Brand: Custom made
These tap pants were originally custom made and appear to have been entirely sewn by hand. Stitches are neat and small throughout to be as unnoticeable as possible on the exterior of the garment. This garment exhibits a great deal of sewing skill throughout.
The two fabrics used are a rayon satin and a fine chantilly leavers lace. The pattern of the garment includes a front and back yoke, vertically and side seamed legs with a vertically seamed gusset. This flowing, yoked shape was very popular in the 1930s and indicated the movement from the boxier, simpler styles of the 1920s.
The side seams and vertical gusset seams are narrow, 5mm French seams. The yoke panel is appliquéd onto the lace legs, with an embroidered heart pattern on the front of the garment and a simpler scallop shape on the back. The heart embroidered appliqué continues onto the join of the gusset panel and legs. The leg hems are rolled in by hand for a narrow and neat finish. The waistband is folded in with a hand-stitched rayon satin tape. The left side seam of the garment has a satin placket with hand stitched button holes and shell buttons. The tap pants are embellished with oversized satin heart appliqués covering the centre front and back seams, with decorative interior heart-shaped embroidery.
The pattern for this garment can be purchased here.
From the collection of Karolina Laskowska
