Apron

In the pictureAn apron, narrow at the top and flaring wide to either side at the bottom, is laid out flat. On the red ground of the upper part, a lozenge lattice is woven in black, white, and olive thread, and a wide metallic band wraps around it in a U shape. The upper inner edge of the band is scalloped in a wave. On the flared lower part, a metallic band, a white dotted line, a black band, and a red band follow the rounded corners layer upon layer, and red wool fringe runs along the entire outer edge. The top edge is worn and uneven in color, and the fringe curls up in rounds at both lower ends.

BackgroundThe Met's record lists the materials as wool and metal, the period as the 19th century, and the length including fringe as 83.8cm. It is classified as a women's accessory worn at the waist, and was given by Alan L. Wolfe in 1956. The place of manufacture is not recorded. The lozenge pattern at the top was woven into the cloth on the loom, and the metallic bands appear to be separately woven bands sewn on. Because it combines parts made in different ways, patterned cloth, applied bands, and fringe, in a single piece, its construction differs from the apron of the 85804 ensemble, which layers fringe alone in three tiers. The metallic bands look a murky olive, apparently because the metal has tarnished.

Puzzle tipThe lozenge lattice at the top and the horizontal bands at the bottom run in different directions and are easy to separate. First find the pieces of the wave-scalloped metallic band to anchor the center, then connect the two wings with the white dotted line and black band that curve around the rounded corners. The two horizontal bands just below the wavy band differ in color, metallic and pale gray, which makes their order easy to tell. Use the red fringe pieces last, to run around the outside. 100 pieces is recommended.