DOROTEA blue

Repeat: ca 22,5 x 9 cm. Width 145cm.

The original is an apron found in Långserud parish, Värmland, Sweden, now in the collection of Värmland’s Museum, Karlstad (inv.nr: VM 6608). The apron is made from fine cotton tabby with stripes and inlaid pattern wefts of thicker thread, white on white. In the Swedish 18th century written sources this type of fabric is: broscherad kammarduk - brocaded cambric, and was a product of the early handloom factories. The fabric is block printed with leaves and scrolls in greyish blue and small flowers in rusty red. The print could be dated to around 1800, quoting the Swedish textile researcher, Ingegerd Henschen, it is probably manufactured in a Swedish town workshop. The lightweight printed cottons were used as aprons and neck kerchiefs, but also for furnishing as curtains, bed hangings and covers.