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Embroiderers' Guild of WA Textile Museum > Records

WHITE WORK, CAPE

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Overview

This elaborate child’s cape with 3 layers, exquisite hand embroidered whitework, Ayrshire technique, Scotland mid 19th century.

Cape has 3 layers – a narrow collar 30 mm, second layer 170 mm and third layer 320 mm which is 50 mm shorter than the back. Extensive floral repeating pattern, mainly stitched in satin stitch. Flowers centres have pulled fabric. Fine narrow scalloped edge in buttonhole stitch.

Ayrshire embroidery developed in Ayrshire, in south west Scotland in early 19th century.

The American War Independence caused the Scottish merchants who normally imported cotton from America to switch to cotton from India. . Fashions of the time called for the use of lace and similar decorations. As lace was very expensive, an embroidery which resembled lace became very popular.

Details

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-78-2025.11

Last modified

Wednesday, 13 August, 2025

Completeness

61

Embroiderers' Guild of WA Textile Museum

Embroiderers' Guild of WA Textile Museum

Organisation details
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Other items from Embroiderers' Guild of WA Textile Museum

Whitework cape

Whitework cape

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