This fantastic robe is of printed Turkey Red cotton. This was produced both in Glasgow, Scotland, Barnsley in Yorkshire and in Manchester. In the USA they call these wrappers. Designed for comfort and worn in the home. Suprisingly it has been almost entirely hand sewn. The only machining is on the edge of the lower neck ruffle edge turning.
http://www.nms.ac.uk/colouringthenation
The high neck with narrow stand up ruffle above two others hand pleated, the lower reaching to the top of the shoulder seam, a similar but gathered ruffle to the front, revealing a hook and eye opening to half way down the robe, the huge sleeves shaping to a cuff with a pleated ruffle, a deep pocket to the robe's right side with deep pleats, the back bodice with curving seams, flaring out into the full skirt, two ties to secure the robe, lined in warm soft natural coloured flanelette cotton, virtually all hand sewn. The deep red cotton printed with large sprays of exotic flowers including lillies, all in mid blue, primrose yellow and white.
Length 59 in; 1.5 m
Bust 36 in +; 92 cm+
Very very good. The hooks which are sewn to the flanelette lining have rusted a little.
For a similar but early example see Nineteenth Century Costume Treasures Karin J Bohleke
p 52
National Museums Scotland undertook a project in 2012 on Turkey Red. It is well worth reading their findings. www.nms.ac.uk/colouringthenation
All images and text © meg-andrews.com 2021
