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Linen Trousseaus
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 vintage home-spun linens
Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: Made in the 1930s
Notes: The towel was embroidered by Angelica (nee Greco) Palazzo for her linen trousseau. Prior to World War II most young Italian girls started their linen trousseaus around the age of ten; they built up their trousseau, piece by piece. Often, those who lived in the countryside, spun their own linen from flax. With the help of their sewing teachers they managed to create amazingly beautiful pieces, highly priced by the community.
      Photo: Mary Melfi.
Contributed by: The Palazzo family

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Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the 1930s
Notes: This home-spun linen towel with the initials AG was embroidered by the contributor's mother, Angelica (nee Greco) Palazzo. As young girls started their trousseaus years before they knew whom they would marry, it was the custom to embroider the initials of their maiden names on their linens.
      Photo: Mary Melfi.
Contributed by: Rita Palazzo

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vintage 1910s hand embroidered bed sheets
Casacalenda, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the early 1920s
Notes: These "bridal" bed sheets were embroidered by Maria Giuseppe (nee Di Tullio) Ferrara, the contributor's grandmother. It was the custom for young women prior to World War II to embroider short messages on their linens or towels. Some went with "Good morning," others, "Sleep well" etc. This contributor's grandmother chose the words, "Always united."
      Photo: Mary Melfi.
Contributed by: Mary Melfi

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vintage 1910s Italian bed covers
Casacalenda, Molise, Italy
Date: late 1910s
Notes: Here is a picture of the contributor's maternal grandmother's (Maria Giuseppe Ferrara) lace edged bridal bedcover. Prior to World War II such decorative bedcovers were placed on balcony railings during a religious procession in the belief that if the paraded saint spotted the bedcovers, he would bless their homes.
Contributed by: Mary Melfi

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vintage nightgowns
Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the 1930s
Notes: This hand embroidered summer nightgown was made by the contributor's mother for her linen trousseau.
      Photo: Mary Melfi.
Contributed by: Rita Pallazo

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vintage nightgowns
Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the early 1910s
Notes: This home spun linen nightgown with hand-made crochet lace panel was made by the contributor's grandmother for her linen trousseau.
      Photo: Mary Melfi.
Contributed by: Rita Palazzo

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vintage towels
Casacalenda, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the 1940s
Notes: This home-spun linen towel with the initials RM was embroidered by the contributor's great aunt.
      Photo: Mary Melfi.
Contributed by: Joanne Alfieri

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vintage napkins
Casacalenda, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the early 1950s
Notes: Decorative bread basket napkin was embroidered by Teresa Ferrara for her linen trousseau.
      Photo: Mary Melfi.
Contributed by: Teresa Ferrara

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vintage embrodiered napkins
Casacalenda, Molise, Italy
Date: made in the early 1950s
Notes: The decorative bread napkin (a detail) was embroidered by Teresa Ferrara for her linen trousseau.
      Photo: Mary Melfi
Contributed by: Teresa Ferrara

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Casacalenda, Molise, Italy
Date: 1950s
Notes: Here is a group of students from the same sewing class. Teresa Ferrara and the contributor both belonged to this group; both women enjoyed their courses in sewing, basting and embroidering.
Contributed by: Carmelinda Pietracupa

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