A simple and voluminous silhouette, the Swing Blouse is made from antique quilt toppers and other found textiles. Versatile and can be dressed up or down. The Swing dress features elbow-length sleeves with elastic at the sleeve hem and neckline.
Textile: 1900s Tumbling Block Quilt Topper
Garment Type: blouse
Size: one size
Garment Measurements
Armpit to Armpit - 50
Length - 17 from center front
Sleeve - 12
*bust, is free meaning there are ~ 50 inches of fabric
Note: top can be worn with either side in front; there are a few small storage stains - see pictures
As with all antique garments, there are likely to be some spots of wear. The quilts we work with are generally 100 years old or more, so you may find bits of character throughout the piece. It is not uncommon to see storage stains, small mends, or even pinholes throughout the garment. On these items, hand stitching will be visible in reverse and the use of selvedge edges are common. These are parts of the story of the garment and what we truly love about working with old textiles. The marks of the past are still here in our present.
Care Instructions: Remember that you are wearing a piece of history. Antique garments have been here for decades and with a bit of care can last even more!
1. Spot clean with a bit of soap (we suggest any gentle or plant-based one) and cold water.
2. Another method is to lightly wet your garment, turn it inside out and let it hang or lay in the sun for several hours. This time outdoors in the wind and sun was how quilts used to be cleaned and still works today. The sun is a natural disinfectant.
3. Deep clean as needed doing the following (note: we recommend coats only be cleaned 1x per year, if that): Soak in cold water with a bit of soap. Gently agitate. Let sit for a short time. Rinse and repeat with only water until the water is clear.
4. Patch and mend as necessary! You are adding to the history of the piece. Don’t be afraid to fix and repair as you see fit.Store items folded. In the off season, place your coat in a clean pillow case for safe storage.
