Northern Threads: Mourning fashions


Bradbury family mourning dress, Standish, ca. 1845

Bradbury family mourning dress, Standish, ca. 1845
Item 105816   info
Maine Historical Society

"The Workwoman’s Guide by A Lady" published in London in 1838 outlined various aspects of domestic life applicable to clothing and décor. The author recommended four specific fabrics for mourning attire. These fabrics remained popular for mourning fashions throughout the 19th century.

Bombazine: A matte, twill fabric with a silk warp (a warp is a lengthwise thread) and wool filling. To date (2022), an example has yet to be identified in the collection, despite being an extremely popular choice for mourning attire.

Crepe: A fabric with a silk warp and highly twisted wool filling yarns, which create the characteristically dull, crinkled surface, as seen here with the Bradbury Family’s mourning dress. Textile mills developed many other textural variations in the later 19th century.

Muslin: A lightweight plain weave cotton.

Cambric: A lightweight, closely woven linen. Later made from cotton, it is similar to chambray. To date (2022), an example has yet to be identified in the collection.

Source:
"The Workwoman’s Guide: containing instructions to the inexperienced in cutting out and
completing those articles of wearing apparel,& c., which are usually made at home …" London: Simpkin, Marshall and Co., 1838.

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