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During the late nineteenth century, Ebenezer Butterick and The E. Butterick Company transformed women’s fashion by introducing mass-produced, precut sewing patterns based on a proportional grading system. While these patterns were marketed as accessible and democratic tools for amateur dressmakers, they were based on a rigid sizing framework that codified a vision of bodily “normalcy” centered on corsetry and the proportions of an idealized size “36.”

This talk shares research in progress on the origins

S. Kay Obendorf Ph.D. (physical chemistry from Cornell University, 1976) is a Professor of Fiber Science in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University. Her research and teaching interests are in the area of fiber science, chemistry of fibers and films, and protective clothing.  She was the department chair for the Department of Textiles and Apparel (now Fiber Science & Apparel Design) from 1985-95 and Senior Associate Dean for the College of Human Ecology