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(Private collection)
This month we have a selection of mostly handmade quilted lingerie cases to see. These were very popular in the 1920?s to the 1940?s when these particular ones were probably made and used. Two common styles were the ?envelope? with a front flap and a fold over type which is made from one piece which folds in half.
1. First is a fine cream silk case in an envelope design with a full size front flap and a good variety of wholecloth quilting patterns which have been well laid out and neatly stitched. The patterns used include scrolls, flowers and leaf trails but the most impressive is the horse chestnut leaf on the front, perhaps showing that inspiration was often taken from items found round and about.
2. Next is another case also in the envelope style but this time with a motif only on the front triangular flap, the rest being machine quilted in a diamond pattern. Made in a dark pink satin with a cream satin lining it has again been very neatly stitched and is finished off with a ruched braid made from the same cream fabric as the lining. This originated from Cardiff but is not typically Welsh.
3. Another trapunto case in a pink taffeta is next, stitched with a cream thread this one is a fold over type featuring a large basket of flowers and ribbons on the front with a plain back. Iron-on transfers of patterns such as this were widely available during the early to mid 1900?s from many different companies including ?Penelope? and Briggs. This case is quite thickly padded and has a paler pink lining which has been slip-stitched in with tiny neat stitches.
4. Lastly, we have a machine-made envelope case, again with a
triangular flap but this time in a yellow gold taffeta with a self-frill. A
crinoline lady is stitched in a machine chain stitch in coloured threads with
various infil stitching. The background is a vermicelli pattern in a light gold
thread, the back is plain. There is no label so it is possible that this was
stitched at home but is more likely to have been made commercially.
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Remember to click on photos to view full image
1. Front showing Horse-Chestnut leaf
1. Detail of Horse-Chestnut leaf quilting
1. Back - quilting patterns
1. Open case showing inner pocket design
2. Front
2. Opened out showing front flap and back
2. Opened showing inner lining
2. Detail of Trapunto quilting
3. Front showing Trapunto basket
3. Opened out showing front and back
3. Detail of Trapunto
3. Showing interior
4. Front of yellow case with machine stitched crinoline lady
4. Yellow case opened out to show interior
4. Detail of machine quilted lady
