Lost Arts - Silk Embroidery

Crepe de Chine silk embroidered night gown
Originally uploaded by loti2008

As I go through my mother's things, I am taken back to another time. I have a personal view that we have gone a little too utilitarian in terms of lingerie. An area that the french woman may know better than anyone. This was a nightgown from the late 40's - early 50's, it is crepe de chine silk, cut on the bias, with the most extraordinary silk embroidery on the upper bodice as well as the hem. It has just been taken out of storage and is being aired out, so it may not look it's best at the moment but there are shots following which focus on the embroidery itself. The fine hand embroidery is mind boggling, to think that a person can reach such precision with a fine willowy thread produced by a silk worm. It's awe inspiring.