Ivory Floral Linen Damask
Linen cloth, such as this Ivory Floral Linen Damask, was woven of flax fiber in many grades and weaves. Used in every aspect of living, from clothing, to household needs, to furnishings, to the shroud made for the corpse, linen was so common that a tax was proposed as a source of easy revenue on the coarser sorts being imported into the US towards the end of the 18th century.
Damask was a reversible pattern fabric made from one or a combination of fibers, used in clothing, table linens and furnishings, according to Montgomery (pp 212-214). An example of a 17th century silk and linen damask can be seen from the V&A museum. An 1860's petticoat can be seen in their collection as well.
