Blue Stripe Linsey Woolsey

55% Wool, 45% Linen, 37″ Wide

Made in the USA.

Linsey Woolsey with a blue stripe on a white ground is the most common lincey described during the 18th century but was used over a much wider time period. This stripe linsey is inspired by the “Striped linsey” from 1759 illustrated in figure 16 in the book Threads of Feeling & has a proper salvage edge. Linsey was especially used in the 18th century for women’s gowns, and petticoats, but was also used for both men’s & women’s jackets, as well as waistcoats & trousers. For example, in The Pennsylvania Chronicle of 1772, “Ran away . . . an indented servant woman . . . had on when she went away, a blue and white linsey petticoat” as cited in Wives, Slaves, and Servant Girls. Off white 35/2 linen thread and white or blue worsted wool tape match this fabric well. Matching tape is often seen on the hems of petticoats and bedgowns. For sewing buttonholes try off white silk button hole twist or quilter’s thread.