Hi Julie. Scott from Tasmania here. The squares are hand made inserts. They can be incorporated with crochet work or inserts into linen to make anything from bedspreads to tablecloths and clothing. I am a seamstress, tailor and antique dealer, with my family being expert lace makers and embroiders. I have recently sold the majority of my family collection with some items similar to your. Have a fantastic day.
I think the first piece of lace you found was a train off a gown. On the opposite edge was a half circle cut out and I think it fastened to the waist of a gown. The "undergarments" you found look like corset covers, used to cover the boned corset. The onesie like garment you found looks like combinations, a mix of corset cover and bloomer. This is such a treasure, I would, in your shoes contact Abby Cox here on youtube, she is an expert in preserving old garments and could probably give you some advice on cleaning and conserving these amazing treasures❤
Julie. When my grand mother passed I inherited her lace box. In the box were all kinds of pieces of lace. And small laced square like the ones you found. I remember her in the evenings when all the days work was done…. She would work tiny little stitches on these pieces , they would be incorporated into pillow slips, hankies and napkins, table and dresser scarves, as well as blouses and skirts. She never sat and did nothing. Her hands were always busy. I imagine the ladies were the same in their time frame.
You could put the tiny mismatched pieces in a shadow box to display the different types of lace and needlework. You could do the same with all the caps.
You have a few collars in thre Julie, I think the long double tulle piece may be a Bertha collar. The tiny squares were likely appliques which would beused time an again on different clothing. The 4 sided lace will be from a tablecloth, again, used time and again as old worn/ stined items were replaced. You have some really lovely pieces in your treasure bags.
I do not have a clue, what most of it except beautiful very old lace. However I do think the little squares, are center's for doilies. My grandmother used to make them. Very time consuming...
I think the frilly lace 10:15 is the strip of fabric that was worn around the shoulders and tucked in their top on front and back. I need Bernadette to help me right now with the name. I think she would be good bring in so she can educate on how women dressed back then and all the different layers
I came here to write a similar comment and here it is already! There is a huge Y/T community studying and reconstruting vintage and antique garments. By all means contact them, and of course, Bernadette would be the most obvious choice!
Hi Julie, you have the experience of exhibitions. Put on a lace exhibition. The lace can be mounted in thin frames, or books that can be stored to protect them when not on exhibit. Lace would be an ideal exhibit during wedding season... or garden parties at the cafe!
The garment you held up and thought were under drawers are called combinations. They came in the late 1870s when dresses became quite form fitting they replaced wearing a separate chemise and drawers as having the all in one garment helped reduce bulk under the corset.
Handmade lace is precious! A lot of chateau owners in France are recreating centuries old found wallpaper so the world can enjoy them again. Recreating a long lost Mapperton Lace Collection for the world to be able use would be elegant and amazing.
I've collected "women's work" vintage and antique linens and lace for years. Those stains could be cleaned up by soaking in cold water and powdered brewery wash, then well rinsed and dried before storage. Also avoid hard creases in folding by stuffing with crumpled archival tissue paper. Beautiful things!
Other good cleansers for antique lace and linens (but not silk) are liquid castile soap (just a few drops in a quart of cold water), wool washing liquid (the wool shearing, knitting, and hand-weaving community will know where to get it), and baby shampoo. Just very gentle liquid cleaners, and don't scrub the textiles, just let them soak and change the water when it starts looking dirty. Don't try to get out stubborn stains at home, in that case, consult the Royal School of Embroidery or other textile experts to see what to do. Finish with a soak in plain water, gently press the water out of the lace (rather than wringing it out which will tear it) by putting it on a dry towel, rolling the towel up like a jelly roll with the lace inside it, and gently press the roll with your hand or just let it sit for an hour so the towel can absorb the moisture. Let it air dry, in the sun if you can, but otherwise, indoors where it will not get any wetter and be safe.
Back then lace was precious! You kept lace from other clothes and would put it on a new dress. You didn’t just get rid of clothes! Buttons were removed and reused. All those littlest treasures were important.
I forgot what kind of lace that was, but in a show they talked about lace that ladies would prefer even over jewelry. One single square inch could take up to eight hours (!!!) to make, it was that exquisite and fine. 😳🤩 Made me better understand an Agatha Christie short story where a dishonest maid cut off all the lace trimmings from her lady's clothes before running away... 😦
The items that you called undergarments are possibly what a lady would wear over her corset. A corset cover. Next to the skin would be a chemise, possibly decorated with some of the lace ribbon. Then there would be the stays (corset), which would not be particularly smooth, so to make sure this did not show through the outer garments, they would wear a corset cover. Corset covers were made from different materials, finely woven for summer use, and heavier for winter. I suspect that a few pieces were fichus. A fichu is a piece of cloth, often decorative, that covered the gap between the chemise and the neck. They were still popular in the early Victorian age, and older ladies still wore them well into the 19th century
I love all the different “treasure” chests. I love antique, real wood furniture. I’ve several really wonderful pieces that I’ve managed to acquire at yard sales, flea markets and even off Craigslist. A load of soft cloths, some beeswax and a LOT of good old fashioned elbow grease (some days I felt like my arm was going to fall off) has brought these beautiful pieces back to wonderful life. I have a true appreciation of the sheer talent and craftsmanship that was used in the creation of these gorgeous pieces of furniture. I swear, if my daughter gets rid of my labor of love, I will return to haunt her!! 😂🤣
What a glorious find! As a needleworker who has made tatted, knitted, crocheted and needlemade lace, I can really appreciate your treaures. I know the skills and labor that went into their making. Some of the prettiest displays of small lace pieces that I've seen were mounted on black velvet and framed. I would also check with the Royal School of Needlework to identify the type of lace used. They would also be able to mend any needle laces that need repairing. It was also common to make small practice pieces of crocheted or knitted motifs to keep as a pattern reference for future use or even to share with others. Enjoy your treasures. Love your videos!
A lot of clothing had separate piece like front, cuffs, collars that are interchangeable able. Things that got dirtier than the rest of the clothing. That way you change for fresher cuffs and etc without washing the entire garment. Lace takes a lot of time and skill to make. Even today, handmade lace is valuable. Contact Barbara Banner or Abby Cox, both are dress historians.
I collect old lace and handmade linens. I find lace collars and cuffs are often kept. Makes sense, given the work that goes into lacemaking. The underwear piece looks like a Victorian one piece undergarment with open crotch as that’s how pantaloons were made too. The one piece garments were in lieu of wearing a chemise and separate pantaloons. Imagine using the loo in the clothes they wore!
Lace was used much more in the days gone by & even in the 1960s I made a lot of doilies & crocheted lace around them & even crocheted doilies. These days we don't use doilies on dressing tables & runners on tables like we did in the past. I still have a few I kept but the rest I got rid of several years ago as I wasn't using them anymore. I even have what were called samplers that my mother sewed & crocheted as a girl at school. Also I used to crochet samples of different patterns & have them tucked away somewhere, so that when I wanted to crochet an edge, I would look at my samples of the patterns to get an idea of what I wanted. Some of the lace squares may have been prepared in order to make a quilt for a bed etc. Something I was doing many years ago but never finished as the times changed & fashions changed. I even have a supper cloth I never finished as I was looking for the right crochet edging to put around it & once married I never had a small table to use it on anyway, so over 50 years later it is still in a box somewhere waiting for its lace border. These days I have arthritis in my hands & so don't do any of these crafty things I loved doing. And my daughter & granddaughter never inherited the love of crafting these things.
I think some of the smaller lace pieces were worn around the top of a dress and tucked into the neckline…the gathered piece may have been pinned to the back of the hair. Just a thought.
The 16th century peg box with the note from Olga looks very valuable. Perhaps you should research how to properly clean and restore the box. Looks like a delicate project to me. I know funds are tight but it might be a safe idea to have a professional restore it.
The word in the Titanic letter before the word event is the word "untoward" which means unfortunate, unexpected, etc. The little bits of lace might be bits cut off from garments since lace was expensive, it would have been re-used. The little squares of lace might have been lace pattern samples. I've seen a knitting book that had little lace samples in it. Knitting patterns were not written a precisely as they are now, so sometimes a sample of the pattern was produced.
Try to get a consultation with Bernadette Banner, a garment historian. She could probably help you identify the different garments and how to restore and store them.
I would love for you to invite a costume historian and do an episode explaining these items and others you have in textile boxes. As a fashion designer I live for historical apparel. I can’t believe these items had been stored in yard waste bags, at least that’s what it looks like to my American eyes. You have treasure chests of beautiful items!
I love the Titanic letter. I volunteered at the Titanic exhibit at the Museum of Idaho. A very moving experience. So the letter has a special meaning. P.S. The curator for the exhibit was from London. Neat gal. Called everybody "love." 😊
…and their time making beautiful things was much better spent when compared to how useless, frivolous and meaningless the things that women waste time on nowadays are like cell phone scrolling and social media
Lace was very expensive and made by the inch.Many garments had interchangeable parts, often sleeves, waist coats and boleros, collars and laces, shawls and capes, hats and caps, ribbons, lace, and attire. They were attachable by ribbons, extensions on corners and sides, and pinned. Tacking and stitching was not encouraged to minimze damage. Colors were similar or removed and washed separately with items of similar color and heaviness again to better protect garments and deasures that all were hand sewn, and woven and knotted as in crochet as in lace.
Tantine's letter isn't all THAT impossible ... 9.30 Wednesday night April 17th 12 Darling Berta, Your telegram of welcome reached me at Queenstown an hour ago. & letter from Isabel -- saying she was to spend this morning with you! Which shows we are _really_ hearing each other rapidly. I telegraphed of your _delightful_ voyage: not an untoward event on the sea or ship, except the terrible disaster to the Titanic! Her Marconi gram cry of distress reached our ship at 1 Sunday a.m. and till 2-20 we were in fainter communication, though we were 750 miles away. Mr. Thos. Higgs (Kate Douglas Higgins) are on board - and were introduced to each other by the Captain of the Titanic! Mr. & Mrs. George Young, he of the British Embassy in Washington is also on board.
Most of lace from that trunk is all hand made lace..a bag from seamstress that repaied lace underwear and lace on dresses...I am so jealous of ur lace collection...beautiful part of history...❤😊
Some of those unusual pieces at around 9.55mins in, are what I think are a "fichu (/ ˈfiːʃuː /, from the French "thrown over") is a large, square kerchief worn by women to fill in the low neckline of a bodice. It originated in the United Kingdom in the 18th century and remained popular there and in France through the 19th with many variations". I have seen them (I believe) used as a kind of piece used above the bodice and at the cleavage showing outside the garment but tucked around the undergarments. I could be wrong, but that's what I think they are. Fab finds, I love this kind of video, thank s for sharing.
The lace ribbon could be displayed in a glass picture frame box with a coloured deep velvet background. An exhibition of all the lace displayed in one room. Absolutely gorgeous pieces!
Tea cozies are actually tea cosy covers and they go over the actual tea cosy. My aunt used to embroider and I have a tea cosy cover that she made and looks similar to yours 😊
Oh! I had another thought. MaybeJulie, you could employ some embroiderers to recreate your tea cosy covers and sell them in your shop? I bet the one a good seller 😊
What you refer to as pantaloons, are called a pair of pantalets or split drawers. ladies started wearing those at the beginning of the 19th century. With all the structure and a series of several petticoats, split drawers made it much easier when you needed to go to the loo. LOL. The other Undergarments are several chemisettes or corset covers. They would smooth out the harsh shape of the corset under the dress layer. day caps, lady's false sleeves
The letter starts out "Your telegram of welcome reached me", not letter or McCloud. 🙂 Later, I believe it says "not an untoward event". I'm certain the last part is "toward" and having "un" in front makes sense. Untoward event means an unexpected event that causes difficulties or unwanted effects, such as the sinking of the Titanic. "Her Marconi gram cry of distress reached our ship at 1 Sunday a.m. and till 2:20 we were in fainter (?) communication"
What a collection, from lace caps, Bloxworth bonnets, lace shawls, lace head covers, and please don’t open the parasol, I admit I had clenched teeth there, 🫣the silk is so delicate it will keep splitting, the lace front vest is an insert from late Victorian period, most pieces are from mid to late Victorian, this is so exciting. Love your blouse Julie, you have great style. 🙂
I would seek out how to wash these garments and textiles prior to storing in order to keep them preserved. The tiny pieces of lace, trim, crochet were likely removed from dresses as when historic garments were cleaned or washed, the delicate pieces were removed and then reattached. I think some of the white lace or netting cap-like pieces were 'day' head coverings - maybe 18th or 19th century?
The little lace caps are called snoods I think. I could spend hours going thru antique lines and lace….This has been very therapeutic,thanks for sharing.
Not sure if someone commented this already but RMS Caronia was the first ship that warned the Titanic that were icebergs the night the ship hit the iceberg... they telegraphed there were "bergs, growlers and field ice".
My mom made replicas of clothing. From the 1800’s, she would know. She also did medieval costumes for madrigal singing groups. She made historical costumes for historical sites around the US. How I wish she was alive to watch this with me!!
Julie, you need to find an old school teacher, they can read much of this writing. I could read a great deal of it, and was yelling at the screen so you could hear it, lol!! I'd be glad for you to send me some scans, and let me read through them for you. Old school teachers can read a great deal of things, and sometimes, even doctor's handwriting!! Would be happy to help!
Lace/silk was so expensive that when young ladies' outgrown dresses or dresses were damaged, they would take the lace/silk bits off to reuse on new gowns or make other bits from, even make christing clothes and hats for babies or add to wedding dresses
Have an expert on lace tell you what each lace was for Restore and clean then have displays in glass made to have many displays of lace For next years … tours Is there a building you can restore to make a permanent Museum For clothing … letters … linens… etc Mapperton History Museum
❤❤As a vintage lace collector, I was drooling over these INCREDIBLE laces. Please do several videos on just the lace, showing closeups. Each piece is a masterpiece of creativity and skill. If you need help in archiving or researching, this Californian gal will be on the next plane to assist you.I love, love, love vintage lace. I think about the women making it and the care they use to create something so lovely. It’s remarkable how much has withstood time and still look lovely. My collection has many from the Victorian era. The bridal head piece you showed is stunning!💕 BTW: it’s charming how you go in and out with a British accent, especially within a single sentence. It’s cute.
Mr & Mrs Biggs (Kate Douglas Higgins) are on board and were introduced to each other by the Capatin of the Titanic! Mr and Mrs George Young, he of the British Embassy in Washington were also on board.
I think the gossamer scarf like pieces at the beginning of the video are each a 'Fichu' that would be tucked in the shoulders and decolletage of a low cut dress. They may be very old because that was a pre-19th century kind of thing to wear. Also worn in the Georgian period.
Lace trims like collars and cuffs were often tacked or pinned to a garment so they could be easily removed for laundering or for wear on another garment. Ribbons have an interesting history. Weaving silk ribbons was an English cottage industry until overtaken by imported ribbons from France. I suppose there are experts who can identify them.
Perhaps a Communion veil? (The first small gathered piece) Also maybe the ribbon can be used to frame out an old photo or place in shadow box with an infant gown.
Lace was something salvageable as clothes wore out. It was saved to be repurposed. Victorian summer dresses were made with many different laces sewn together with light weight lawn for airy blouses and skirts. The vest like tops look like those worn over the corset, a shift next to the skin, corset then the vest to create volume under the top, making the waist to appear smaller- Gibson girl like , Victorian era. Hope this helps.
The undergarment you were wondering about that looked like a "combination" was either a Victorian or Edwardian undergarment. Bernadette Banner did a video or two on designing/recreating a pair on her RU-vid channel, which might answer your questions.
22:23 Marconigram messages were the amazing wireless communication that was used on the Titanic to send messages through the air. It was a very new technology to have on a ship. Sadly, near by ships did not respond to the Titanic’s messages pleading for help.
Yes, once the items have been delicately cleaned by experts - Please put on a SUPERB, well researched lace exhibition. Some being lace clothing, lace baby clothing , lace under garments, lace hats etc - and the time period for each. Find out the names of each type of lace. British lace used to be so often made. Now the skill is being lost. A superb lace exhibition would be glorious. As such an exhibition would involve using some experts as you research it - you would need to charge to see the lace exhibition. A book about the lace, all the research and care put into learning about and understanding what types of lace and how it was made and what items were used for hould also be created to sell at the exhibition AND the book able to be purchased for those overseas who cannot visit the exhibition. The MAPPERTON LACE exhibition would be incredible and worthy of being discussed on TV and be part of a quality magazine story as well as draw in people who belong to groups that still teach and champion lace making from the UK, Europe and USA You could also bring in lace experts to explain how and what and when worn. And specialist lace makers. Maybe find which companies well well known lace makers a long time ago. Please do NOT cut the lace up into "projects" - that borders into the realm of vandalism. Also many of those garments are so RARE that it would be a wonderful exhibition to show what was the "norm" back then. You could also, at the exhibition have work shops to show people how to make the most simple forms of hand made LACE
I adore Julie & her enthusiasm; this is one of my favorite channels. But, sometimes Julie stresses me out with her handling of such delicate things! 🤣💜
Heartbreaking to see these antique linens and laces, stored in plastic bags piled on top of each other not even folded with a heartbreak. Please start storing these correctly
Julie i just had a great idea. You know how everything that belongs to the royal family is logged or preserved procured saved stored... Every note or piece of paper. Every letter. Every picture. Clothing gifts from other Rulers Kings. Everything is kept and stored. So whomever retired or still working for the royal family can help you WITH ALL OF YOUR DISCOVERIES. YES. THERE HAS GOT TO BE SOMEONE
The things you wondered if they were coasters I think may have been lace inserts for the front/chest area of a white Victorian baby dress. Often this was the decorated part of the dress, the rest being plain. Maybe?
0:48 keeoing fabric in wooden boxes when you’re living in a place that suffers from leaks isn’t the brightest idea You could take them out vacuum them into plastic (they have to be clean and completely dry ) and then store them laying flat in the attics
wow I grew up in a Victorian home in Vancouver Washington, with my grandparents my grandmother collected lace and anything made with fabric, love it myself
Julie, with all the little pieces of lace and embroidery you could make a Victorian lace shirt sewing them all together just a thought or use them to make a skirt with the doilies and the lace and fabric in between. I did it during the pandemic with my grandmother’s doilies and lace and they look wonderful and people ask where I got them.👍🇦🇺💓💗
The letter: "Your telegram of welcome reached me at Queenstown an hour ago & letter from Isabel -- saying she was to spend this morning with you! Which shows we are really wearing each other rapidly. Telegraphed of your delightful voyage, not an untoward event on the sea or ship, except the terrible disaster to the Titanic! Her Marconi gram cry of distress reached our ship at 1 Sunday a.m. and till 2:20 we were in fainter communication though we were 750 miles away -- Mr. and Mrs. Riggs (Kate Douglas Higgins) were on board and were introduced to each other by the Captain of the Titanic! Mr. and Mrs. George Young, he of the British embassy of Washington also on board..." That handwriting is very similar to that of my grandmother's family (hers was beautiful and was completely legible!) so it is quite familiar to me. Grandma was about 16 when the Titanic was lost. She was born in 1896 in San Francisco, and moved to Berkeley, across the Bay, when she was about 10. She sat on a fence and watched San Francisco burn in 1906 after the earthquake! The stories she could tell! That would put her in the era of Downton Abbey, and she was about 2 or 3 years younger than Sybil! I feel like I truly know that era, having listened to her stories. Julian Fellowes should consult with me about how realistic (or NOT!) his storylines were! The square bits of lace appear to have been salvaged from a square pillow sham, solely to re-use the lace for another project. It appears to be hand made lace, not machine lace, so would have more value and appreciation. Those little squares of either embroidery or fine pulled work were also salvaged to be re-used again! That behavior is well known to fanciers of fine needlework! I know, because I am one of them! What a treasure trove of textiles you discovered! How I wish I could help you dig through those trunks! Alas, being in Northern California does not make that feasible! Good luck with your hunting!
I may have some labeled samples that could possibly help you as my mum volunteered in the 90s with the sadly, defunct (voting for political parties in favour of Cultural funding, matters :) Canadiana Costume Society in Victoria, BC CANADA I’ll email images from a sample board I found recently as that was how they displayed their lace pieces for exhibits. Acid free etc. Check your spam folder just in case. Your work is inspiring and your community here is wonderful.
How do all your family bring the family history back to life? Have you all been through every building on the property? Have you been through every room in the home? I believe most of the lace is obvious as to its nature while all the bits are just to be used for sewing. Watching your family in action is like watching National Geographic or The History Channel even better. I look forward to whats next. God bless the volunteers. I hope you finish some of these projects
The little baby looking lacey thing is a baptismal cape. Some babies wore them instead of dresses when getting baptized. Also, the little jacket thing almost after it is a corset cover. (I wear corsets & highly love these little garments.) They look like from a wedding troussou The patchwork pieces look like children's kerchiefs. The lace piece with the wire - they are hats worn when doing house chores. lol, I think this trunk is a treasure trove of beautiful things. Royal or gentry tea parties used more than one tea cozy - all matching & very tricky to have as lace & some fabrics were restricted to certain households.
Hi Julie, love your vlog! You can buy the conservation acid free boxes for each dress, the V&A will advice you where to buy the bespoke boxes and the acid free tissue. I think they might even contact someone to assist you in folding, inventorying as well as selling you some mannequins. Good luck! Doris might be able to assist! If I lived nearby I would love to help, but I'm in Norfolk!
Shouldn’t those textiles be in acid free bags, instead of plastics, @Mapperton Live? I saw the part where you said you ordered boxes; bags seem more practical for fitting back in the chests. . . It looks like sentimental saving of mom’s, auntie’s, grandma’s pieces of lace whatever on the smaller ones. . . And I’ll watch literal hours of you going through trunks, chests, and whatever is in the attic, Julie! 😍
Such a wonderful find!! Craft idea.... Christmas/holiday Angels.... layering the lace as dresses, to sell at your Christmas/Holiday Fair to earn funds for your one of many projects on the estate . I am always looking forward to seeing what you discover next! 🥰
Hi Julie, Those "trunk" are actually called "coffers". I have one I bought at Stowe-on-the-Wold. By the way, if you need another virtual helper, I'm available. Barbara in Indiana
10:00 bertha. The undergarment either a chemise for under a corset or a corset cover. 11:02 combinations! They were worn under the corset which is why the gusset is open.12:05,corset cover.13:45, chemise for under the corset 15:43 bonnet.DONT GET THAT LACE WET!! The whole thing could dissolve. And don't put the parasol up as the silk will split even more and be harder to restore. The lace squares might be corners of table cloths. If The lace was mine (the real lace,not the machine stuff) I would get a long picture frame and display them somewhere not too bright or damp. They would need to be sewn onto some acid free backing. I was so absorbed in watching I let my macaroni boil dry!!
While looking at this video I think that American girls believe that if they married into the British aristocracy they’d live a life of luxurious ease. While you actually married into the British aristocracy and you are working working working! Not meaning to criticize anyone and I wish I had your energy!!!!! Love from Knoxville, TN
I was confused about the Titanic letter so I looked up Kate Wiggin Riggs. She wrote "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm." She and her husband were introduced by Captain Smith a few years before the Titanic sank. She was actually a good friend of his. She was very sad when he went down with the ship.
Many of the item you shared, particularly the multiples of squares/same shape, appear to be the beginnings of bedspreads, table cloths/runners, or similar. The squares are each individually made then stitched together to make the complete piece. There is also a difference between crocheting and tatting, the latter being MUCH more labor intensive. The strips of lace are also likely tatted. Suggestion for repurposing would be to find a lace or quilting artist who can arrange them onto a fixed backing in a beautiful pattern to be used as a spread or a throw. Also wonder if it’s needle work from a member of the family - seems less likely they would have saved a “half done” project from a servant?? Suspect they are pieces done by a family member. Good luck!
Hello Try "The Association of Dress Historians" Or on a simpler note there is a fellow u tuber " Abby Cox" she is a published Dress Historian and Conservator. She may be able to help and seems extremely knowledgeable Good Luck J PS the item that looks like bloomers are called "Combinations". Cheerio J
The piece of lace you're looking at at the 8 minute mark may have been a lace train. I think you had it upside down, as the part nearer the floor looked like it was meant to be at the waist. The lace at the 10.14 mark looks like a fichus, a kind of scarf worn around the neck in the 1700's. You also have a number of corset covers, and a pair of combinations. (11.21 minute mark) You have a bunch of salvaged lace. A lovely treasure trove.
Hi Julie, I think the “headbands” were placed over a woman’s bun and pinned in place. Also, lace was very valuable and they would never throw it away. They repurposed it. The napkins, depending on size, are probably handkerchiefs. The undergarments were worn in several layers. To keep the outer garment clean. I saw where one commenter advised getting Bernadette Branner to come look at the clothing. She is very knowledgeable and will definitely be able to help you. Thanks for sharing! I love old textiles.
I suspect if lace or lace-trim on the squares, more likely to be handkerchiefs than napkins. Longer lengths, rectangles, are more likely to be shawls, and some pieces appear to be "collars" or fichus worn over dress necklines. They would not have used anything so delicate for table runners, napkins, etc. They used linen - hence the term "linens" - perhaps with a bit of embroidery or hemstitching along edges. If you sew well [better than me, and I've been sewing, making clothes + stuff since I was 7], a lot of those lace trims would be wonderful on fine dresses, dinner or evening dresses, and accessories. Might be interesting to frame some of the small pieces of elaborate lace or intricate embroidery for display. What about asking those Hampton Court textile people about some of these things?
A couple of corrections to the Titanic letter - "which shows we are really hearing (not wearing) each other rapidly." and "not an untoward (not autoraced) event". My dad had handwriting that was really difficult to read, but my sister and I, in reading his four years of almost daily letters to my mom during WWII, got pretty good at it. If you ever need help, I'd be glad to give yours a try.
The caps are tall on top because when you put up your hair into a high bun, it filled the cap. I think the next long ruffled piece is a lace fichu which was to go about your collar and tucked under and over the breast for modesty and warmth? Yes? Next is underwear- bloomers. I remember seeing them on my great aunts’ laundry line. Wash that stuff before you put it away, you should be able to get the yellowing out. Your friends in London will know what to use, hand washing, of course. Drying flat in the sun will help to naturally bleach them. You might want to consider shadow boxes to display your historic textiles because Alberta used those things. They are too lovely to pack away.
It says “Mr. and Mrs. Kiggs are on board (her ship) and more introduced to each other by the captain of the Titanic”. If you need a transcription of the letter, just let me know as. I am quite good at reading old handwriting (thanks to my trainingin genealogy!).
It says “Mr. and Mrs. Kiggs are on board (her ship) and more introduced to each other by the captain of the Titanic”. If you need a transcription of the letter, just let me know as. I am quite good at reading old handwriting (thanks to my trainingin genealogy!).
God Bless you Viscountess if you weren’t inquisitive around the manor these items may have never been brought to our attention “great work” Another most intriguing episode you are the savour of Mapperton Manor. Thank you and God bless you all 😇🙏🏰
I know someone else will have mentioned that perhaps an idea would be to unpack each trunk and inventory what is in it, then repack them all in a sensible and organized way. That's just my little garage straightening, spice cabinet alphabetizing, closet organizing, Virgo nitpicky, semi compulsive orderliness talking. It makes me crazy when I know I have a 'thing' and I cannot put my hand on it quickly and easily.
