51/465

This smock is made of natural linen and lined with a fawn-coloured woollen material at the shoulders. The front of the smock is open and fastened with 5 bone buttons and holes. There is smocking on the front, back and on the sleeves above the cuffs. The collar, cuffs and pocket flaps are embroidered in a zig zag and dot pattern in white linen thread. The donor bought the smock, along with a bonnet, at a sale in Wrington, Somerset. Documentation suggests that the design of this smock may be indicative that it belonged to a carter. The connection between smocking designs and the occupations of smock wearers and owners is a romantic but largely unfounded notion.

1 smock: natural coloured linen; bone buttons; good condition

Citation in publication [Oliver, Tina, 'Smocks: A Guide to the Collections' (Reading: The University of Reading, 2000)] – 'This plain weave cotton smock was purchased by the donor at a smallholding sale in Somerset together with a bonnet (51/466). The garment sectins are stitched together by achine and the smock was originally of the coat type, but the opening has since been stitched together for a third of its length from the hem up. It also varies slightly from the normal square in that the front armhole line is curved. The gathered areas are smocked in bands forming bands of diamond and zigzag patterns and simple featherstitch embroidery forms a zigzag border on the collar, cuffs and pocket flaps. This is a well-worn smock.' (p.7), MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'This smock was bought by Mr. Patterson, together with a bonnet (51/466) at a smallholding sale at Wrington, Somerset. It seems likely from its design that it belonged to a carter. // It is a large smock opening for 4 feet down the front and being fastened by 5 buttons and holes. The shoulders are lined with a fawn woollen material, which has a red and black check on it. This may have been part of the original garment or may have been added later, possibly to replace another lining. The circular collar has a zig zag and dotted pattern embroidered in white linen thread along its border. The cuffs each bear a similar pattern and have a thin band of smocking running up the sleeve for 5.5 inches. The cuffs are fastened by one button and hole each. There are two pockets with flaps let into the front of the smock at either side, these are bordered with embroidery similar to that on the collar etc., they have each a button hole but the buttons are missing. There is one tuck at the top of the sleeve, but otherwise the shoulders and boxes are plain. There are two stretches of tubing on either side of the front opening, 1 foot 4.25 inches by 2.5 inches. There is also some tubing on the back, 3 feet 3.75 inches by 5 inches. These panels are edged by the simple embroidery used elsewhere. The smock is of natural linen and the buttons are of bone, & except for that on the left cuff they are all old. // The smock measures 3 feet 2 inches from shoulder to hem, 6 feet 2 inches round the hem and the sleeves are 4 feet 1 inch along the underarm seam. This smock is not of the very simple cut typical of the true smocks. // See also 51/258M.'

Fibre, flax, Fibre, wool, Bone

Stitched, Smocked, Embroidered