Friday, October 19, 2018

A Working Woman's Costume for New France

 

"The costume of the humbler woman of the village consisted of a blue kerchief head-dress, a fichu pinned down at the throat, a waist, a skirt (voluminous over petticoats), and moccasin slippers. The waist and skirt were of the boldest pattern and color of calamanco, cirsaca, calico. . .dotted, checked, striped.  . ."  Costumes Worn in Old Sainte Genevieve by Ward A. Dorrance

from: Sketch Book 56

"These Two French girls are the worker class of New France. On the left a kerchief is worn in lieu of a mob type cap. . .quite common. She wears a bodice made of a good Bay like woolen. . .not too common bu not unavailable. Her sleved chemise is made of a striped 'Cherry' cloth, a mix of mostly cotton with some silk content. . .Her skirt is an inexpensive linen twill also striped. . .She has a cotton apron and pot rag pinned to same. The maid on the right wears a mob type cap of white Dimity cotton. . .A chemise of Bretag. . .a plain woven linen. . .Her bodice is made of thin inexpensive Bayette wool serge. Her skirt is made of Peluche an inexpensive woven woolen velvet. . . " Sketch Book 56 by Ted Spring

 

Creating some 18th century New France costumes to wear around town. Not exactly a match, due to the fact that I still have pieces and fabrics of the often drab English in Colonial Williamsburg. . .A trip to a fabric center is very much in order. . .I can't wait to get to those sewing machines. . .



1 comment:

The Farmers Daughter said...

The wooden shoes were often worn in New France also. Have you ever tried to walk in those? It's something that has to be learned for there is no bend in them at all. When I purchased the wooden shoes in the 1960s, I was told straw should be stuffed inside for better comfort and to avoid splinters.