Petticoat Border, marked "Lydia Safford 1793"

Date1793 (dated)

Artist/Maker Lydia Safford

OriginAmerica, Connecticut, Connecticut River Valley

MediumLinen embellishment threads on a linen and cotton pieced ground. Linen and cotton ground consists of three pieces measuring approx. 28 " wide and two pieces measuring approx. 13" wide x 3". The three large pieces are connected by selvage to selvage butted seams. Ground fabric: approx. 60" x 60" per inch. Plain weave.

DimensionsOW: 97 7/8"; OH: 6"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1995-25

DescriptionThis is a petticoat border consisting of a long, narrow cotton and linen ground fabric embroidered in four shades of blue linen embellishment threads. The design consists of a meandering vine in a reverse curve with sixteen different floral motifs. Embroidered in the center of the border is a bird and above this and to either side, "Lydia Safford 1793".

Stitches: cross stitch, double cross stitch, flat (New England laid), hemming, outline or stem
Label TextStitched in Time:
Besides quilting, petticoats offered additional opportunities for decorative needlework. Only the border survives from this petticoat, worked by Lydia Safford in 1793. Lydia included her signature as well as 16 different types of flowers and a central bird. Despite her careful stitches, Lydia, like other makers, had to adjust the spacing of her lettering around one of the motifs.

The full garment, which tied around the waist, may have been one of several layers of petticoats, worn for warmth or to build out the fashionable silhouette. Just because the border was embroidered decoratively does not mean it was meant to be visible. Hidden accessories like pockets, worn close to the body and underneath a petticoat, were often decoratived with colorful needlework.
Markings"Lydia Safford 1793"
Provenance1793, made by Lydia Safford (CT); Stephen and Carol Huber (East Lyme, CT); 1995-present, purchased by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)