1780 Lucy Terry

1780s Floral Trail for Robe à l’Anglaise

Product Description

This design is inspired by 18th-century block-printed textile patterns preserved in museum collections. The composition features elegant floral trails arranged across the surface, reflecting the refined decorative language of late 18th-century printed cottons.

The original technique involved block-impression printing, where the base pattern was applied first and then enhanced with additional hand colouring. The same floral trail design was often reused across different background colours, creating variation within a consistent visual identity.

Well suited for

Robe à l’anglaise, petticoats, bodices, sleeves, and 18th-century garments where a flowing floral trail design creates movement and elegance across the garment.

Design & Historical Context

The design reflects the production methods of late 18th-century printed textiles, where block printing combined with hand finishing allowed for both repetition and variation. Such designs were widely adapted across different fabrics and colourways.

This design is named after Lucy Terry Prince (born 1733), an American poet and early literary figure. Her ballad “Bars Fight,” composed in 1746 and later published in 1855, is considered the oldest known work of literature by an African American.