1741 Eva Merthen

1741 Butterfly Floral Cotton

Product Description

This design is inspired by a mid-18th-century woodblock printed textile, originally coloured by hand. Adapted for cotton, it reflects the light, decorative character of printed fabrics used for everyday garments and interiors during the period.

The pattern features trailing floral branches combined with butterflies and a distinctive bell-shaped motif. The airy composition creates movement and balance, making it particularly suitable for garments where a softer, more natural expression is desired.

Well suited for

Robe à l’Anglaise, Mantua, Banyan, Petticoats, Aprons

Design & Historical Context

Based on a documented mid-18th-century English print, this design reflects the widespread use of hand-coloured cotton textiles. Such patterns were produced using woodblock printing techniques and were popular across Europe for both dress and furnishing fabrics.

Eva Merthen (1723–1811), sometimes called the “Duchess of Finland,” was a Finnish historical figure associated with 18th-century European society.

Her story reflects the wider cultural landscape of the period, where printed cotton textiles like these were part of both everyday dress and decorative life.

Read more about her life