Wrap it Up

When Kitty and I were preparing for the Quaker letters program, I stumbled upon research from ages ago about early American Quaker clothing which said something like,

Where would the Quaker woman be without her shawl?

After collecting some pins via Pinterest, I realized how true that statement is. For example...

Fourth of July in Centre Square

1812 Philadelphia Academy of Fine Art, Accession Number 1845.3.1

A Quaker family is in the foreground just left of center.

Sunday Morning in Front of the Arch Street Meeting House, Philadelphia

c.1811-1813, The Met 42.95.17

 c.1820 Portrait of an Unidentified Quaker Woman

Nantucket Historical Association Accession Number 1995.0005.001

Premium, Par & Discount

1822, British Museum Accession Number 1978,U.857

"Brown silk dress with scarf" 1840-1850

Nantucket Historical Association Accession Number 1993.0263.001

Lucretia Mott, 1793-1880
Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Accession Number 396

  ...which meant I needed a real Regency-worthy shawl for the event. I used two yards of a fine gray wool which I sewed into two panels measuring 24 inches wide and 120 inches long.

It's almost as long as the space in my house that's supposed to be a formal dining room.

Mine is similar in appearance to this example from The Met...

Silk / Cotton Shawl 1815-1820

The Met Accession Number 11.60.435

...though it's slightly shorter and skinnier, and a different fabric type. While my wrap is rather boring looking compared to the example above, it does nicely wrap up the ensemble.