1780 Märta Helena Reenstierna

1790s Blue Floral Cotton for Round Gown

Product Description

This late 18th-century blue floral cotton is inspired by an English gown from the 1780s, later altered during the 19th century. The design features a fine blue striped ground with small floral sprigs in yellow, blue, and green, creating a light and balanced period expression.

The delicate scale and structured ground make the fabric especially suitable for transitional dress styles around 1790, where softer silhouettes and practical cotton prints became increasingly important.

Well suited for

Round gowns, transitional gowns, robe à l’anglaise, petticoats, bodices, sleeves, and late 18th-century garments where a light blue floral cotton is desired.

Design & Historical Context

The original inspiration comes from an English cotton gown dated to the 1780s. It was block-printed with small floral sprays and later dyed blue, reflecting how garments could be altered and reused across changing fashion periods.

This design is named after Märta Helena Reenstierna, married von Schnell, also known as Årstafrun. She was a Swedish manor owner and diary writer whose writings offer valuable insight into late 18th- and early 19th-century everyday life.

Reference Person

Märta Helena Reenstierna (1753–1841), married von Schnell and known as Årstafrun, was a Swedish manor owner and diary writer. Her life and writings reflect the domestic, social, and material culture of Sweden around the turn of the 19th century.