Textiles

Coverlet

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.

Date: 1800s

Promenade Dress

Date made
1809-07
ID Number
CS.228001.0107
catalog number
228001.0107

Late 18th C. Lappet Made With Alençon Needle Lace Applied to Droschel Bobbin Lace

Lappet with rounded end in Alençon needle lace applied to hand made Droschel bobbin net made in the last quarter of 18th century. The small Alençon floral motifs along the vein in the center covers most of the lappet.
Description (Brief)
Lappet with rounded end in Alençon needle lace applied to hand made Droschel bobbin net made in the last quarter of 18th century. The small Alençon floral motifs along the vein in the center covers most of the lappet. There are also floral motifs along the picoted edges.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1775-1800
ID Number
TE.L7608
catalog number
L7608.000

Flounce in Vieux Brabant Bobbin Lace

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century, early
ID Number
TE.T15336
catalog number
T15336.000
accession number
293455

Walking Dress

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1823-01
ID Number
CS.228001.0268
catalog number
228001.0268

Parisian Opera Costume

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1822-01
ID Number
CS.228001.0253
catalog number
228001.0253

Brussels bobbin lace remnant

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th C
ID Number
TE.T13367B
catalog number
T13367.00B

Point de Gaze Collar

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 1800s
ID Number
TE.T17888.00A
catalog number
T17888.00A

Late 18th Century Border With Droschel Ground

Brussels Point d'Angleterre bobbin lace border from the late 18th century with bobbin made Droschel ground. Each approximately 6.5 inch long repeat is slightly different.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Brussels Point d'Angleterre bobbin lace border from the late 18th century with bobbin made Droschel ground. Each approximately 6.5 inch long repeat is slightly different.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 18th C
ID Number
TE.L6881
catalog number
L6881.000

Binche Style Bobbin Lace Border

Early binche style bobbin lace borderCurrently not on view
Description
Early binche style bobbin lace border
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 18th century
1700-1730
ID Number
TE.L7666
catalog number
L7666.000
accession number
58000

1790 - 1800 Linen Pieced Quilt

Block-printed linen fabric (rose and brown on white ground) and blocked printed cotton (printed floral pattern on dark ground) were effectively used to design this two-toned quilt.
Description
Block-printed linen fabric (rose and brown on white ground) and blocked printed cotton (printed floral pattern on dark ground) were effectively used to design this two-toned quilt. The center is made of 9-inch square blocks pieced in an “Eight-pointed Star” pattern set alternately with plain squares in the same dark- and light-ground fabrics. The outside row of blocks on all four sides of the quilt is composed of “Eight-pointed Star” blocks in reverse coloring, set with plain blocks. Alternate light and dark triangles are pieced to create the border. The lining is plain linen, and the filling is cotton. It is sewn and quilted with linen thread.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1790-1800
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T14559.000
catalog number
T14559.000
accession number
278173

Point d'Angleterre Lappet, Part of a Set

Point d'Angleterre lappet, matching TE.L6544A, includes matching border for cap. Bobbin lace motifs applied to droschel bobbin lace ground. Round ends on lappetCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)
Point d'Angleterre lappet, matching TE.L6544A, includes matching border for cap. Bobbin lace motifs applied to droschel bobbin lace ground. Round ends on lappet
Location
Currently not on view
date made
Late 18th C
ID Number
TE.L6544B
catalog number
L6544.00B
accession number
49598

lace, lappet

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ID Number
TE.T15350B
catalog number
T15350.00B
accession number
293455

18th Century Collar with Floral Brussels Motifs and Droschel Ground

18th Century Brussels Pt d'Angleterre collar with Droschel bobbin lace ground with a great variety of fillings. The pattern repeat is 24.5 inches long. Some repairs done in the 19th C. Very fine.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
18th Century Brussels Pt d'Angleterre collar with Droschel bobbin lace ground with a great variety of fillings. The pattern repeat is 24.5 inches long. Some repairs done in the 19th C. Very fine.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th C
ID Number
TE.L6857
catalog number
L6857.000

Table Cover With Alternating Squares of Cutwork and Knotting

Table cover with alternating squares of cutwork and knotting edged with embroidered filet. A similar pice is pictured in Hispanic Lace and Lace Making, p. 87Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Table cover with alternating squares of cutwork and knotting edged with embroidered filet. A similar pice is pictured in Hispanic Lace and Lace Making, p. 87
Location
Currently not on view
date made
probably 18th century
ID Number
TE.T12135
catalog number
T12135.000
accession number
48717

Brussels bobbin lace Remnant

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th C
ID Number
TE.T13367A
catalog number
T13367.00A

Morning Dress

Date made
1822-07
ID Number
CS.228001.0256
catalog number
228001.0256

Elizabeth Marx's Sampler

Verse and two wide floral crossbands, both arcaded, one with roses and one with strawberries and forget-me-nots. Two eight-pointed stars. Black guidelines under flowers in rose crossband. Center section framed in band of sawtooth.
Description
Verse and two wide floral crossbands, both arcaded, one with roses and one with strawberries and forget-me-nots. Two eight-pointed stars. Black guidelines under flowers in rose crossband. Center section framed in band of sawtooth. Border of geometric flowering vine with strawberries and pinks, and an outer row of dentil pattern on all four sides. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: cross, straight, Algerian eye, satin, surface satin, encroaching satin, stem, queen, outline. THREAD COUNT: warp 40, weft 38/in.
Inscriptions:
"Here In This Garden Here Below
Water Me That I May Grow
And When All Grace To Me Is Given
Then Transplant Me Into Heaven
Elizabeth Marx Her Work 1802"
Background:
This is probably the Elizabeth born on March 20, 1790, to George and Elizabeth Marx in Reading, Pennsylvania. According to the records from the Trinity Lutheran Church in Reading, she married Christian Brobst on September 6, 1812. She died June 20, 1847 and is buried at the Union/West End Cemetery in Allentown, Lehigh, PA.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1802
maker
Marx, Elizabeth
ID Number
TE.T11651
catalog number
T11651.000
accession number
222389

Morning Dress

Date made
1823-01
ID Number
CS.228001.0277
catalog number
228001.0277

Copp Family Overshot Coverlet, late 18th C.

This hand woven overshot coverlet is part of the Copp Collection which was given to the Museum in the late 19th century. The pattern is similar to "White Mountian" or "Granite State' and woven with linen and wool yarn.
Description
This hand woven overshot coverlet is part of the Copp Collection which was given to the Museum in the late 19th century. The pattern is similar to "White Mountian" or "Granite State' and woven with linen and wool yarn. The coverlet is woven in two sections with each section being 42 3/4 inches wide. The two sections are joined together with linen sewing thread. The coverlet was probably made in the 18th century. The weaver is unknown.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
late 18th century
18th century
date made
c. 1770-1800
ID Number
TE.H6677
catalog number
H006677.000
accession number
28810

Jubilee Cloak

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1809
mismarked on object
1800-1808
ID Number
CS.228001.0002
catalog number
228001.0002
accession number
228001

Late 18th Century Mechlin Border With Floral Motifs

Mechlin bobbin lace border from the late 18th century with floral motifs in two inch long pattern repeats.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Mechlin bobbin lace border from the late 18th century with floral motifs in two inch long pattern repeats.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1760-1800
1770-1780
1770-1785
ID Number
TE.L6884
catalog number
L6884.000
accession number
48717

1780-1800 Unfinished Quilt Top

Unfinished quilt top. Twenty-five blocks (each approximately 11" x 11"); 13 pieced in a star pattern alternating with 12 one-piece printed fabric blocks. A note with quilt top and donor information states the quilt was "one pieced for babies [sic] crib . .
Description
Unfinished quilt top. Twenty-five blocks (each approximately 11" x 11"); 13 pieced in a star pattern alternating with 12 one-piece printed fabric blocks. A note with quilt top and donor information states the quilt was "one pieced for babies [sic] crib . . .by the wives of the officials in George Washington's Cabinet." Sewing thread is 2-ply linen; no lining or filling.
Notes on quilt included with donation. "This quilt is reported to be one pieced by the wives of the officials in George Washington's Cabinet. L.G. Adams." Another: "The old old quilt among your mothers things is one pieced for a babies crib by the ladies of George Washington's Cabinet officials. Every piece is American weave and thread home-spun. Sister got it from Elder Query's wife at Benton [Illinois]. It has been handed down from family to family and Mrs. Query having no heirs gave it to your mother whom she loved dearly."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1780 - 1800
maker
unknown
ID Number
2014.0298.01
catalog number
2014.0298.01
accession number
2014.0298

fashion plate

Date made
1867-04
bequest of
James, Catalina Juliana Mason Myers
ID Number
CS.033675.202
catalog number
033675.202
accession number
70138

Walking Dresses

Date made
1809-06
ID Number
CS.033675.206
catalog number
033675.206

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