55/123

This Northamptonshire child's smock was made to order in Kettering in 1907. It is made of fine green material and embroidered with black, and is reversible. It is embroidered with feather stitch on the front, back, shoulder straps and collar in boxes containing diamonds filled with branching stems, and with loops and chains. These designs were believed to represent the owner's craft, however this is no longer believed to be the case.

1 child's smock: material [cotton?]; Condition fair/poor [stained and torn]The shoulders, collar and boxes are decorated with a variety of embroidered designs, including diamonds filled with branching stems surrounded by loops and chains.

Citation in publication [Oliver, Tina, 'Smocks: A Guide to the Collections' (Reading: The University of Reading, 2000)] – 'The widow of a collector donated these smocks to the collection in 1955. Correspondence shows that the seven smocks were sent by rail from Oxford Station 'packed in a Gladstone bag with good leather straps but no key', and that the donor did not want the leather bag returned, as it was no great offering being fifty years old. // 55/123 according to the donor of this smock it was made to oder in 1907 and originates from Kettering, Northamptonshire. It is considered to be a child's smock but has out of proportion pockets (adult sized) and the sleeves have had tucks formed to make them shorter. The reversible smock is made of dark green twill weave cotton, now faded, and with smocking and embroidery of green thread. The embroidery forms a design of diamonds, enclosing simple branch motifs, with a waved border. Sections of the design are repeated on the yoke and collar. The cuffs and pocket flaps are not decorated.' p.8, MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'This is a child’s smock made to order in Kettering (Northants) in 1907 // It is made of a fine green material, possibly strong cotton, and embroidered with black thread. It is reversible. The tubing at the front and back is 6 inches broad and 8 inches long. The boxes contain diamonds filled with branching stems and the spaces contain loops and chains. This design probably represents the woodman’s craft. The design also occurs on the shoulder straps and collar. There is also smocking above the cuff, which is fastened with one button. The sleeves have been shortened by a tuck. There are two pockets with flaps across the side seams, which fasten with a button. // The smock is 27 inches in length from shoulder to hem, and the hem is 60 inches round. There are slits at the base of each side seam. It is stained and torn in one or two places. // See also 51/258M', MERL ‘Associated information’ form – 'This smock is made in green material is a child's and was made to order in Kettering, Northants, in 1907. The sleeves have had a tuck in them to make them shorter [pencil sketch][page break] Collected by C.O. Skilbeck Esq of [...]Bledlow [...] Aylesbury // Is it in good condition? // Much stained', MERL ‘Temporary Catalogue’ form – 'Sheet 1 of 2 // Identification // Class. PERSONAL clothing garment // Description: Condition: Stained and torn, gathers undone at neck, thread faded; date: 1973; Completeness: Pocket buttons missing // Material(s) [...] metal buttons // Dimensions: total length; 68cm // collar depth; 9cm // cuffs depth; 5cm // pocket flaps ht x w; 6 x 20cm // Acquisition // Method: gift // Notes (continued overleaf): Description: handsewn style; round frock, slits at hem edge on side seam; collar: two straight pieces; cuffs: straight bands with one button on each [page break] pockets: set in across side seams, flaps with one button on each (missing) // sleeves: shortened with a tuck in each // tubing: outline , cable, and points, back and front – 18 rows, sleeves top – 1 row, above cuffs – 5 rows // embroidery: feather stitch, boxes, collar and shoulders – diamonds filled in with branching stems and spaces containing loops and chains // Sheet 2 of 2 // Dimensions: hem circumference; 150cm // tubing back and front h x w; 20 x 15cm', Photographic prints - [text on paper sleeve] 'Acc. No. 55/123 // Neg. Nos. 60/1126'

Kettering

1907-01-01 - 1907-12-31

Early-twentieth century

Fibre, cotton, Metal, Fibre

Stitched, Embroidered, Smocked