Chemises or 'shimmie' were worn throughout the nineteenth century next to the body. The corset was put on over the chemise. Generally, they were calf-length.
From http://www.katetattersall.com/early-victorian-undergarments-part-3-chemises-and-camisoles/ "As usual parroting the French in fashion, this style of shirt women began to call a chemisette, a short tight chemise that became popular in the late 1850s as lacy bodies or waists, but a term that was in use as early as 1810. Patterns for chemisettes as bodices were common in British manuals by the 1840s."
The Petticoat, Drawers and embroidered Chemise were part of the trousseau of Charlotte Larch. The fortunate appearance of these related garments provides us with a reasonable guideline for breadth and length of the different pieces when worn together.
Multi-Sized 08-26
Bust 32 ½" - 48"
Waist 24 ½" - 40"
Hips 34 ½" - 50"
Fabric requirements, all 45” wide fabric
Original garment
Sizes 8-16 – 3 yds
Sizes 18-20 – 3 7/8 yds
Sizes 22-26 - 4 Yds
Garment with Pieced Neck Band
Sizes 8-16 – 3 yds
Sizes 18-26 – 3 ¼ yds
A medium weight, high thread count, white cotton sheeting is a good substitute for the original fabric.
The package comes with historical notes on Chemises, instruction for performing various hand stitches, 4 pages of written and illustrated instructions on construction of the chemise and a 36"x51" CAD/CAM generated sheet containing the patterns.
