Vintage Miscellany – February 19, 2021

It’s February 19. and most of us here in the Northern Hemisphere are dreaming of warmer weather. Maybe that’s what the young woman in today’s photo is contemplating, though she seems to be content where she is. I hope that wherever you are, you are safe and warm.

• The State Archives of North Carolina needs help transcribing old handwritten documents, otherwise known as “colonial chicken scratch”.
• A recently rediscovered pattern book of a British wool merchant contains 2,475 pieces of fabric made in the 1760s.
• Here’s an interesting article on the portrayal of paisley shawls in 19th century literature.
• Inauguration Day brought us many clothing stories, from Bernie’s mittens to Nikolas Ajagu’s sneakers to the coats worn by Vice President Harris’s great-nieces. To me the star of this fashion show was Jill Biden’s white embroidered dress and coat from designer Gabriela Hearst.
• The Australian War Memorial is displaying a dress made for a survivor of Mauthausen concentration camp, made from fabric scavenged from her Nazi captors.
• I have a bad case of embroidery envy.
• Here’s a look at how exhibitions are being planned during the pandemic.
• Norma Kamali has written a book, I Am Invincible. Here’s an interview.
• Dress and Textiles Specialists has developed a page of interesting articles and resources.
• “Muslin, the fine handwoven cotton fabric that originated in Bangladesh, is now set for a revival.”
• Beatrice Behlen uses photographs of Queen Victoria to help in studying her clothing.
• Those naughty Hobby Lobby people have had to return some more stolen artifacts.