The Fleece of Their Flock: Homespun & the American Identity

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Mary Alexander, Textile Merchant Fabric sample sheets from Mary Alexander reveal colonists’ demand for variety and individuality. 6 Although she remarried after the death of her first husband, New York City merchant Samuel Prevoost in 1720, she continued running the business from then on. Specializing in the import and sale of high-end fabrics, trims, and notions, Alexander grew this “haberdashery” business and became one of the leading merchants in the city. Sample sheets like this one from 1726 include fabrics and notions similar to those she was requesting from her English suppliers. Her swatches and notes signify that colonial style preferences in color, pattern, and print differed from city to city and season to season. It was Alexander’s responsibility to order precisely what her customers sought. If floral prints were too large or too small, or colors too bright or too dull from what she specified, the product would not sell. Oftentimes, she ordered sample batches to test the demand before ordering large amounts. Merchants like Mary Alexander were in a unique position – with their understanding of the local demands as well as the British fashions, they were able to reach a happy medium. 7 - 18 -
tiles, however. Fashion plates and fashion dolls served as style references to help colonists assemble garments and outfits that showcased their sumptuous new fabrics. The dressmakers of the time, called “mantua makers” after the popular mantua style, displayed wooden dolls in their shops so that customers could see the new fashions on a smaller scale. 8 These fashion dolls were helpful in promoting and selling European fashions to consumers overseas. More common, though, were fashion plates. These illustrations, which often appeared in the ladies’ magazines of the period, provided a glimpse into the newest European styles and silhouettes. Fashion Doll This fashion doll (1755-1760) would have helped elite women visualize the new European styles. A “pandora doll” such as this one would have been sent to a mantua maker in Europe or America, accompanied by an entire outfit. She wears a robe à la française and matching petticoat in a rosy caramel color, with multiple layers of undergarments supporting it. This French robe style is also known as a sack-back gown, due to the volumes of fabric draping off the shoulders. From the gown’s scalloped edge and floral trim to the tiny hand mitts and miniature fob watch, the detail exhibited in this fashion doll would enable prospective customers to discuss their style preferences with mantua makers so that they could achieve a fashionable yet personalized wardrobe. 9 - 19 -
Page 1 and 2: THE FLEECE OF THEIR FLOCK HOMESPUN
Page 3 and 4: The Fleece of Their Flock: Homespun
Page 5 and 6: Table of Contents Acknowledgments I
Page 7 and 8: traditional, interdisciplinary way.
Page 9 and 10: Introduction Zady: A “Made in Ame
Page 11 and 12: LOCALLY SOURCED .01 THE SWEATER MAD
Page 13 and 14: Illustrating the Homespun Story In
Page 15 and 16: 4. Spinning For Themselves Colonist
Page 17 and 18: View of Charles-Town, Thomas Leitch
Page 19: The Imperial Emporium Due to this t
Page 23 and 24: subject, whose face takes up less t
Page 25 and 26: The first of the trio of portraits
Page 27 and 28: off-limits to the colonists. Moreov
Page 29 and 30: The Wiley Family, William Williams,
Page 31 and 32: Fashion as a Feminizing, Fickle Aff
Page 33 and 34: Furthermore, since fashion was (and
Page 35 and 36: - 33 -
Page 37 and 38: Samuel Adams & Sartorial Simplicity
Page 39 and 40: The Repeal, or the Funeral of Miss
Page 41 and 42: “No Taxation Without Representati
Page 43 and 44: fashionable by traditional standard
Page 45 and 46: Striped Swatches This sample book f
Page 47 and 48: The homespun movement brought toget
Page 49 and 50: Colonial Collaboration The homespun
Page 51 and 52: Women at Work Although this modern
Page 53 and 54: (Try to read the story in its origi
Page 55 and 56: help from his wife and children -
Page 57 and 58: Democracy at Work In addition to th
Page 59 and 60: Washington Crossing the Delaware, E
Page 61 and 62: uation ceremonies. 5 Benjamin Frank
Page 63 and 64: the “true and essential Interest
Page 65 and 66: Democratic Dress Though hundreds of
Page 67 and 68: Anti-Fashion & the Future of Homesp
Page 69 and 70: Images such as this one are often u
Page 71 and 72:
ture and values such as frugality,
Page 73 and 74:
ottom-up development of the America
Page 75 and 76:
standard for how American leaders o
Page 77 and 78:
Plainclothes President Today, egali
Page 79 and 80:
the movement did not dismantle clas
Page 81 and 82:
liament.uk/about/how/role/tradition
Page 83 and 84:
5 “Proof Sheet of One-Penny Stamp
Page 85 and 86:
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The Fleece of Their Flock: Homespun & the American Identity

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