Paisley Patterns
The moment I spied this little bit of fabric in the charity shop I came over all nostalgic - not actually sure why! Think my Gran may have had a "pinnie" in this fabric, but it just seemed so familiar.
The town of Paisley is just abut 15 miles from Greenock and it gave its name to that particular pattern. The pattern actually originated in fabric work in Kashmir, but during the 19th century, the town of Paisley became one of the major producers of shawls which contained this pattern and they were known as Paisley shawls.
There are some wonderful examples in Victorian art.
Hope you've enjoyed this little sidetrack from my nostalgic charity shop find!
I think it is too small to be an apron, or perhaps it was a child's apron, but it could also be an old fashioned lap bag. These were for wearing like an apron, but you kept your knitting or sewing in them so that it was always handy. I remember making one in primary school. It was pink fabric with simple embroidered stitches around it. Each year after that, we kept our knitting in it. Did anyone else make anything like that in school? (Perhaps I'm just really ancient!)
I love the paisley pattern and the hollyhocks (such a great word)!
Paisley museum has a wonderful collection of vintage shawls with paisley pattern which were made in the town and were popular with Victorian women. Their displays are fabulous, and show how the shawls changed with the fashions of the day, for example when the bustle was introduced, a shawl would have covered this, so shorter jackets became more fashionable and there was a decline in shawl making.
There are some wonderful examples in Victorian art.
Charles Rossiter - To Brighton and Back For 3s 6d (Birmingham City Art Gallery) |
William Holman Hunt - The Awakening Consccience - 1884, The Tate, London |
Love, Liz
Popping over to see everyone's treasure at Flea Market Finds.
Comments
Ann x
I'm with you on it being a lap bag. I heard about how you could hide one under your work apron and instantly remedy idle hands with your latest handcraft.
I like paisley patterns too and remember my first flying visit through Paisley many, many years ago (please forgive me if you live there) I expected a pretty place and was bitterly disappoined to see the parts we drove through seemed quite run-down and a lot of steel shutters :o( I'm certain it must be different now though!
When I was small my Mom made a dress from a greeny grey background with a yellow paisley design on it, I used to call it her 'banana pattern' dress!
Sad or what?
Rose H
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Liz
Lovely post.
I made an apron too at school in Amsterdam, we learned knitting,crocheting and embroidery, but I'm in my 50's so rather old ..:)
Hugs from Amsterdam
Erna xx
Very pretty pinny!
Melx
Thea x
Thank you for your kind words, I shall try and keep the blog going.
Enjoy you week.
Anne x
Thought I had left you a comment, but I can be very rubbish on computers!
Soo if you recieve two,I have pressed twice!
Loved the paisley and have a vintage eiderdown on my daughters bed complete with feather filling in the same....
Soo very nostalgic!
The paintings reminded me of 'Salem' a painting my neighbour when I was a child used to have in her house. It showed an aged woman in traditional Welsh dress at chapel, and she's wearing a paisley shawl you're supposed to be able to see the devil's face in. Do you know it?
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ladylever/collections/salem.asp
crush on a chap we named Green Cardigan. I have a penny I now know is a lap apron for looking after my scissors and a pins etc. when I am sewing.
Thanks for the history of the pattern, Liz