Ivory silk gown & petticoat, by unknown maker, 1780–85
This French hand-sewn silk gown demonstrates the fashionable styles in women’s formal dress of the 1780s. The hoop has changed from the square shape of earlier decades to a round profile. A stomacher is no longer needed, because the gown now meets in the front. The cream silk is adorned only at the edges with an embroidered band, ribbon and a stencilled fringe. This restraint in decoration illustrates the growing influence of the neo-classical style in textile design.
Museum no. T.98-1966
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Morris 'Cray' Silk Scarf
This classic silk twill scarf recreates a William Morris pattern dating back to 1884.
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Fri 03 February 2012–Fri 08 June 2012

EVENING EVENT: Take part in events for creative professionals with the Makers' Guild, a sharing, lobbying and support group for makers of all kinds, particularly those working with new technologies.
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