In the 18th century, women and girls wore stays, later to be known as “corsets.” In addition to insuring that a young girl’s back would be straight, corsets and stays provided support to the torso when carrying heavy things such as children, milk buckets, cast iron cooking pots, firewood, etc. They also created the desired silhouette for the period. Girls might start wearing stays as toddlers. These stays are covered with wool and are lined with blue and white check linen. Channels are provided for the boning (made of wood, metal, or whalebone).