Textiles

The 50,000 objects in the textile collections fall into two main categories: raw fibers, yarns, and fabrics, and machines, tools, and other textile technology. Shawls, coverlets, samplers, laces, linens, synthetics, and other fabrics are part of the first group, along with the 400 quilts in the National Quilt Collection. Some of the Museum's most popular artifacts, such as the Star-Spangled Banner and the gowns of the first ladies, have an obvious textile connection.

The machinery and tools include spinning wheels, sewing machines, thimbles, needlework tools, looms, and an invention that changed the course of American agriculture and society. A model of Eli Whitney's cotton gin, made by the inventor in the early 1800s, shows the workings of a machine that helped make cotton plantations profitable in the South and encouraged the spread of slavery.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1832
ID Number
TE.T13489
catalog number
T13489.000
accession number
254382
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
20th century
ID Number
TE.T13638
catalog number
T13638.000
accession number
263100
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca. 1830
ID Number
TE.T13490B
accession number
254382
Linen handkerchief bordered with Chantilly lace. Black bobbin lace, fine quality, half-mourning handkerchief for close relatives.Currently not on view
Description
Linen handkerchief bordered with Chantilly lace. Black bobbin lace, fine quality, half-mourning handkerchief for close relatives.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
4th quarter 19th century
ID Number
TE.E377922
catalog number
E377922.000
accession number
139816
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
TE.T13761A
catalog number
T13761A
accession number
262265
Delicate mixed Brussels lace cuff. The ground and geometric sections are in point de gaze needle lace. The floral motifs are in bobbin lace. It matches the collar TE.L7265 and trim TE.L7266B. The lace is sewn together to make a cuff.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Delicate mixed Brussels lace cuff. The ground and geometric sections are in point de gaze needle lace. The floral motifs are in bobbin lace. It matches the collar TE.L7265 and trim TE.L7266B. The lace is sewn together to make a cuff.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
TE.L7266A
catalog number
L7266.00A
accession number
52624
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
20th century
ID Number
TE.T14093D
catalog number
T14093.00D
accession number
272350
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
TE.T14612.000
catalog number
T14612.000
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930-1960
ID Number
TE.T13859A
catalog number
T13859.00A
Delicate mixed Brussels trim for cuff. The ground and geometric sections are made in point de gaze needle lace. The floral motifs are made in bobbin lace. It matches the collar TE.L7265 and cuff TE.L7266ACurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
Delicate mixed Brussels trim for cuff. The ground and geometric sections are made in point de gaze needle lace. The floral motifs are made in bobbin lace. It matches the collar TE.L7265 and cuff TE.L7266A
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
TE.L7266B
catalog number
L7266.00B
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
3rd quarter, 19th century
ID Number
TE.T12021E
catalog number
T12021.00E
accession number
202257
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
20th century
ID Number
TE.T14093C
catalog number
T14093.00C
accession number
272350
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
TE.T13761B
catalog number
T13761B
accession number
262265
date made
3rd quarter, 19th century
ID Number
TE.T11847
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
3rd quarter, 19th century
ID Number
TE.T12021D
catalog number
T12021.00D
accession number
202257
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
3rd quarter, 19th century
ID Number
TE.T11848.000
catalog number
T11848.000
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1850-1875
ca 1850-1875
ID Number
TE.E334988.000
catalog number
E334988.000
accession number
96010
Point d'Angleterre bobbin lace border with droschel ground, mended. From the mid 18th century with some fillings and bars from the third quarter of the 17th century, and some machine made. There are very long pattern repeatsCurrently not on view
Description
Point d'Angleterre bobbin lace border with droschel ground, mended. From the mid 18th century with some fillings and bars from the third quarter of the 17th century, and some machine made. There are very long pattern repeats
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1675-1700
ca 1750
ID Number
TE.L7671
catalog number
L7671.000
accession number
58000
Binche lace borderCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
Binche lace border
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 18th century
late 18th century, possibly 19th
ID Number
TE.L6816A
catalog number
L6816.00A
accession number
49729
Valenciennes bobbin lace border. Belgium, middle of 19th century. Edges with machine made sewing edge and picot edge.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Valenciennes bobbin lace border. Belgium, middle of 19th century. Edges with machine made sewing edge and picot edge.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1840-1860
ID Number
TE.L6825B
catalog number
L6825.00A
accession number
49953
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
TE.T15683
catalog number
T15683
accession number
298651
Mixed Brussels bobbin and needle lace collar, Point d'Angleterre. Fine cotton thread. Bobbin lace motifs connected with point de gaze needle lace ground. Part of set with TE.L7266A and TE.L7265B. Narrow, 3/8 inch machine made tape added to neck edgeCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
Mixed Brussels bobbin and needle lace collar, Point d'Angleterre. Fine cotton thread. Bobbin lace motifs connected with point de gaze needle lace ground. Part of set with TE.L7266A and TE.L7265B. Narrow, 3/8 inch machine made tape added to neck edge
Location
Currently not on view
date made
Mid 19th century
ID Number
TE.L7265
catalog number
L7265
accession number
52624
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1st quarter, 20th century
ID Number
TE.T11813
catalog number
T11813.000
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
20th century, 1st quarter
ID Number
TE.T11799
catalog number
T11799

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