We give, here, a very pretty, yet inexpensive costume; to be made of any of the warm, yet cheap cloths so much in fashion now. Costumes of this kind are, this season, trimmed with several rows of machine stitching, and are made as plainly as possible. The skirt is narrow and round. The engraving, above, illustrates it as too long if worn as a walking-costume. The tunic is buttoned down the front, and the jacket is close-fitting and double-breasted. The in-door bodice is in the habit style, with short basques. We give, on the next page, a diagram of the tunic, which consists of two pieces – half of front and half of back. The tablier has five notches on the side seam; the lowest notch must be joined to the one corresponding notch on the back of the tunic. The four remaining notches on the tablier must be formed into two plaits. The piece at the back that remains from the first notch to these two plaits must be gathered into the tablier, and forms the drapery. Inner strings must be sewn on the seams to tie the tunic close to the figure. The back of the tunic must be draped according to the illustration, as well as the figure of the wearer. This is really the prettiest costume of the season.
from Peterson's February 1875 pgs. 152 and 153
