1810 Elizabeth Fry

Men’s Waistcoat, Finland ca. 1800s – Red and Yellow Checked Cotton Print

Based on an original Finnish folk waistcoat (liivi, miehen liivi) preserved in the National Museum of Finland, dated around 1790s. The piece is made of block-printed cotton in a striking red and yellow geometric check pattern, lined with plain woven linen.

The bold contrast and rhythmic squares reflect late 18th-century taste, when printed cottons began to appear in men’s folk dress alongside imported fabrics. This reconstruction captures the vivid character of early printed cottons used for vests, jackets, and accessories.

Perfect for 1780s–1790s reproduction garments, Nordic folkwear, or theatrical costume design.

Elizabeth Fry born in 1780
In 1813 Elizabeth Fry made her first visit to Newgate prison where she observed women and children in terrible conditions. Elizabeth began working for the reform, campaigning for segregation of the sexes, female matrons for female prisoners, education and employment (often knitting and sewing) and religious instruction.
 
In 1817 Elizabeth Fry created the Association for the Improvement of Female Prisoners and along with a group of 12 other women lobbied authorities including Parliament. In the 1820s she inspected prison conditions, advocated reform and established more groups to campaign for reform. In 1823 prison reform legislation was finally introduced in Parliament.