Bodice designed and made by Mabel Haythorn

Preston, Lancashire, Great Britain

Date: c.1950s

Origin: Preston, Lancashire, Great Britain

Venue: Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library

In 1982 the Harris received a bequest from a local lady who had recently passed away. Miss Mabel Haythorn (born 1910) lived in an apartment in Frenchwood House in Preston her whole life. We believe she never married and had a private income. In her will, she left the Harris Museum & Art Gallery a collection of 31 homemade garments – including dresses, bodices, capes and gloves – all beautifully decorated with hand-cut shapes and flowers in felt. The collection came in the name of Mabel Haythorn – although her recorded name was Caroline Mabel Haythorn. Mabel also donated to the Harris two paintings – where a lady (which we believe to be Mabel) proudly models two of these garments.

Mabel was described as something of an eccentric. She was apparently quite a traditional dresser in public – but if you visited her home, she would wear her homemade creations and she had several mannequins dotted around the rooms which showcased her homemade clothes, and other historic 1920s and older fashions she owned.

The felt shapes all appear to be hand cut, albeit using templates, and have been carefully and meticulously arranged and then sewn onto the background fabric. Whilst the stitching used to apply the felt shapes is precise and well executed, the actual construction of the overall garments is more rudimentary and the fastenings used are mostly press studs. The garments tend to be made of cheaper furnishing fabrics and seem to exist solely as a basis for the exuberant patterns created with the felt shapes.

This bodice features a pattern of repeating felt paisley motifs in shades of red, green, blue and yellow on a while background fabric. The cuffs, peplum and yoke are a solid green coloured fabric outlined with a black braid.

Comments

(0 comments)

There are no comments available for this collection.

Leave a comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Related

Blackpool Pleasure Beach 'Yama Yama' Suit
Blackpool Pleasure Beach 'Yama Yama' Suit

View item
Silk hiki-furisode kimono with ombre background, cranes and winter motifs
Silk hiki-furisode kimono with ombre background, cranes and winter motifs

View item
Log cabin patchwork quilt or carriage rug
Log cabin patchwork quilt or carriage rug

View item
Whalley Abbey Vestments
Whalley Abbey Vestments

View item