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Casacalenda, Molise, Italy | | Date: early 1950s | Notes: The table runner with six miniature napkins was embroidered by Teresa Ferrara for her linen trousseau.
Photo: Mary Melfi. | Contributed by: Teresa Ferrara
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Casacalenda, Molise, Italy | | Date: made in 1950 | Notes: The table runner was embroidered by Teresa Ferrara for her linen trousseau.
Photo: Mary Melfi | Contributed by: Teresa Ferrara
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Casacalenda, Molise, Italy | | Date: 1930 | Notes: This bed showcases the hand-embroidered "wedding night" bed sheets of Rachele Polisena; the sheets themselves are white (pink paper was added underneath the sheets to highlight their lovely design). In the 1930s the "wedding night" or "bridal sheets" were made with thinner linens, and they were generally embroidered with white thread. These prized sheets were used only for special events -- for the wedding night, for baptisms, confirmations etc. Guests at such events would visit the couple's bedroom and view the bride's pretty bridal sheets. In the 1930s the matrimonial bed was made in such a way that the sheets were quite visible (covered nearly half the bed). At this time pillow cases were not in vogue; beautifully hand embroidered runners were placed on the cushions. The fashion started to change in the early 1940s. Nicely decorated pillow cases with hand-sewn buttons became all the rave (as they had been in the late 19th century and earlier part of the 20th century). Generally, a young girl started her linen trousseau around the age of ten. She sewed and embroidered bed sheets, towels and tablecloths long before she knew whom she would marry. However, the bridal sheets were only begun (as was then the custom) after the young woman (in this case, Rachele Polisena) was engaged and knew for sure whom she would marry.
Photo: Mary Melfi | Contributed by: Rachele Polisena
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Casacalenda, Molise, Italy | | Date: made in 1930 | Notes: Detail of Rachele Polisena's "bridal" sheets(Pink paper was placed underneath to highlight their design).
Photo: Mary Melfi. | Contributed by: Rachele Polisena
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Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy | | Date: made in the mid 1930s | Notes: Here is Angelica (nee Greco) Palazzo's hand embroidered pillow case with message, "Rest well" or "Have a good night's sleep."
Photo: Mary Melfi. | Contributed by: the Palazzo family
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Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy | | Date: made in the 1930s | Notes: This hand embroidered bridal sheets' pillow covering was made by the contributor's mother for her linen trousseau.
Photo: Olga Palazzo. | Contributed by: Olga Palazzo
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Casacalenda, Molise, Italy | | Date: made in 1946 | Notes: This hand-sewn rap was worn when one's hair was combed. It was made by Rosina Melfi for her linen trousseau.
Photo: Linda Melfi | Contributed by: Rosina Melfi
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Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy | | Date: made in the 1930s | Notes: This hand-sewn linen comb protector was made by the contributor's mother, Angelica (nee Greco) Palazzo for her linen trousseau. The material and design of the comb protector matches Angelica Palazzo's "bridal sheets."
Photo: Mary Melfi. | Contributed by: Rita Palazzo
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Casacalenda, Molise, Italy | | Date: made in the early 1930s | | Notes: The cape was hand-sewed and embroidered by Teresa (nee Melfi) DiTullio for her wedding trousseau. This kind of cape was worn when the local "hair-comber" come to one's house and brushed one's hair. Its purpose was similar to what was then used (and is still used) in barber shops. In the 1930s Italian men living in the countryside went to the barber shop to have their beards shaved and their hair cut. Women, on the other hand, were serviced at home by the local "hair-comber." Back then young girls wore their hair in pigtails. As soon as they became "women" (round 12 or 13 years of age) their hair was pinned up in a "tupe" -- bun. | Contributed by: Madeline
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Guardialfiera, Molise, Italy | | Date: made in the 1930s | Notes: This vintage home spun linen tablecloth belonged to the contributor's Italian-born mother.
Photo: Mary Melfi. | Contributed by: Rita Palazzo
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