So… instead of doing my job (to be fair, everything was caught up), I was writing Secret of the Monarch, and I wrote that Levanine was getting dressed in a gingham dress in shades of brown. Avondella, and Kethaltar in general, is a magical world that sort of follows the way the real world worked.
So, as its 16th-17th century themed, I was trying to figure out whether gingham actually existed already.
And it did.
The journey of gingham is kinda cool.
So, it originated in both India and Dutch-colonized Malaysia and Indonesia. (Not gonna lie, had no idea that the Dutch colonized anything in all of history, much less… those places). Then it came to Europe in the 17th century, then was manufactured in the US in the 18th century.
Gingham was also used traditionally for many different things in different parts of the world
India – gamucha, gingham patterned towel used for drying the body
Indonesia – Contrasting colors symbolize the struggle between good and evil
Japan – Spiritual, used to wrap statues when a child died
African Masaï tribe – has used check patterns for thousands of years, traditional costume
Cambodia – krama, many uses, both practical and decorative
Germany and Italy argue that they originated it, while the USbelieves gingham is super US
What is gingham associated with/ used for ?
“In Europe gingham is associated with the authentic: country-style, rustic symbolism. This is no different in America where the fabric became synonymous with cowboys, the wild west and the frontier.
This country-style, wholesome symbolism has made gingham a popular choice for tablecloths, curtains, aprons and practical workwear.
Gingham has been used for school uniforms throughout the world: everywhere from Australia; the Philippines; South Africa; France; England and the USA. It is also synonymous with children’s clothing, baby bedding and now bistros, tablecloths and curtains.Colonialism is somewhat to blame for the popularity and much of the image that the fabric has in Western civilisation.“
– V is for Vintage, “GINGHAM FABRIC, A CHEQUERED HISTORY”
So, I can’t find examples of the 17th century gingham, but to put it in context, here’s some paintings from that century
So, yeah. That’s a fun fact you know now!
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