I recently had the opportunity to visit Charleston
and the Charleston Museum for their launch of the “Pinckney Project.” The “Project”
is an initiative dedicated to raising funds to conserve one of Eliza Lucas
Pinckney’s surviving dresses. Pinckney (1722-1793) was an 18th
century Renaissance mind and citizen of the world, who experimented with
sericulture. [1] Her work with indigo in South Carolina generated a potentially
lucrative opportunity for Great Britain to expand the indigo market and
challenge French production in the world market.
In addition to seeing her elegant pale blue shoes (Read on..)
and her salmon-hued silk damask dress (More..),
I had the good fortune to meet Leigh Magar, who joined the event featuring
“Madame Magar's Makeshift Studio.” So inspired is she by Eliza Pinckney and
indigo, that she has planted the crop herself and is experimenting with various
natural dyes.
She uses not only indigo, but also tea and tobacco on her lovely hand
sewn textiles and clothing. I was
captivated by Madame Magar’s indigo bodices and summer shifts.
Madame Magar is generously assisting with raising
funds in support of the gown and its conservation. For example, a striking
quilted indigo piece is underway for a forthcoming auction.
You can follow her
work via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Magar-Hatworks-Madame-Magar/136788303034313).
You can follow the Charleston Museum and the Pinckney Project via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ThePinckneyProject?fref=ts),
Instagram and Tumblr.
1. There are numerous online and print resources available
for the study of Eliza Pinckney.
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