This is a reference page with examples of some fabrics used in American women’s clothing in the second quarter of the 19th Century, roughly 1830 to 1860. Images included are from public domain or creative commons sources.
- Fabric colors can change significantly as a garment ages. The colors of these examples have most certainly faded, yellowed, become darker or become more muted than they were originally created to be.
- This is NOT a comprehensive list, nor is it a representative sample. Certain fabric types may have been more prevalent than others.
- This page may be updated as additional examples are found.
1830’s Cotton
1830’s, white cotton with small scale lavender & brown geometric repeat pattern
1837-1840, white cotton with small scale blue stripe with geometric detail
1830, white cotton with tiny geometric repeat
1820-1835, roller printed white cotton with small, tightly arranged fan shapes
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1837, white with pink floral print
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1830, ivory cotton with bold floral print,
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1836, wide pale blue and tan stripe plus delicate floral repeat
1830s red on white striped cotton
1835-1850. Brown floral printed cotton
ca 1850 Brown or Maroon printed cotton
1840’s Cotton
1848, Dark stripe windowpane check on cotton
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1840-50, Pink or red (faded), leaf pattern on white ground
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1840-45, Small scale dark orange/camel pattern printed on white ground
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1840-1845, Brown, tan, white geometric pattern with vertical orientation
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1845, vertical stripe with bold, multicolored floral pattern
1840’s (mid to late), light brown and teal vine print
1840, white with dotted star motif
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1845, white with pink floral leaf/vine motif
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1840, white cotton, large scale pale floral and stripe print
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1840, white with tiny pink repeat
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1845, white with blue and pink spaced pattern
1845, dense, bright yellow print on white ground5
1840-1845, dark green and white yarn-dyed “buffalo” check plaid
1840s-1850s Red checked cotton
1840s – early 1840s blue check gingham
1840’s Silk
1840s (late) Plain weave purple silk
1845 (circa) Ivory plaid, checked silk (Maternity Dress)
Additional examples: Dress, blue and copper shot silk with whitework collar, c. 1848 altered c. 1858
1850’s Cotton
ca. 1852 Cotton Floral Print on white
1850-1865 Complicated multicolored floral print on white ground
1850 Roller print stripe pattern
Additional examples: Housedress, white cotton printed with lavender, 1850-1860, thread count
1850’s Silk
Additional: Dress, brown silk with black and white vertical woven stripes, 1850s
1850’s Wool
1850s Wool plain weave (challis) in blue print
Find more examples on my Women’s Apparel Pin Board
Much more exists online than what is public domain or creative commons. Check my Pinterest board. There you’ll find links to additional images that I’ve collected.