Francis Open Floral

45″ wide

Black vines with blue leaves and red and brown flowers are all common colors found in early printed fabrics. Reproduced from an original in the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum in Colonial Williamsburg chintz were often used to make women’s gowns or jackets. The gown or jacket may have a matching petticoat of the same fabric but petticoats were usually not made of printed fabrics unless the upper garment is also of the print. Men’s banyans were also made of chintz. For example in The American Journal, printed in Rhode Island in 1781, “On the Night of the 24th Instant the House of the Subscriber, in Cranston, was broken open, and the following Articles were stolen, viz. One Chintz Gown” is cited in Wives, Slaves, and Servant Girls. Off white linen thread is a good match for hand sewing.