The Sampler Consortium, an international group of historians and others who are interested in old Samplers and other textiles, sent a most interesting notice this morning. A graduate student, Carolyn Dowdell, has re-created six gowns, typical attire of a middle-class Englishwoman (1750-1770). These dresses were used to create a display “Rockin’ the Rococo” – Inside-Out: Exploring 18th Century Garment Construction through Reproduction, an exhibition at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (March 9 – April 26, 2009).
News coverage was provided in an article prepared by Express News.
The garment maker made the dresses as part of a master’s degree thesis. She mentions that, at times, she was pulling the needle through layers of fabric with a pair of pliers. She plans to donate her work so that others can learn from it. She constructed the garments as a student in the Department of Human Ecology.
Both articles are enjoyable and informative. To contact the Sampler Consortium, please send an e-mail to Lynn Anderson:
lynneai@uoregon.edu
Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications
Tags: Canada, Carolyn Dowdell, Dresses 1750-1770 Re-created, Edmonton, Sampler Consortium, University of Alberta
