Chemisettes
Here are a couple of the chemisettes I have made. One has a simple gathered ruffle, the other has a basic ruff, and one has a hemmed ruffle. All finishes were popular in the first half of the 19th century. They were worn to fill in the neck of the dresses worn in the daytime, thus extending the wear of the low-necked dresses, as it was not decent, at least in the upper classes, to expose any skin in the daytime. At night it was different!! You see many illustrations of ruffs in particular, some of them having almost Elizabethan proportions.
First, here is one made of cotton batiste, with a selvedge edge ruffle. There is a drawstring through the narrow facing that covers the seam between the body and the ruffle, making it moderately adjustable. It is open down the front, and another drawstring anchors the hem to prevent it riding up.
Second, here is one with a single layer pleated ruff, also made from cotton batiste, using the selvedge edge on the ruff. Drawstrings in both cases are made from twisted crochet cotton. This one has a placket in front so the drawstring ties at the side at the hem.
The third version is made from cotton muslin, and has a narrowly hemmed ruffle. There is fine lace on each edge of the opening, and it is fastened with a drawstring at the neck and two hooks and eyes.
