Nelson & His World

I have come across various references to something called Trafalgar cotton.

I think they have all been in the 19th century.

Do you think this name is related to the Battle?

Just got me wondering.

If this link works it is from 1864.

Click here

MB

I was very intrigued by your post and have asked a couple of skilled needlewomen if they have any ideas. No luck. I did wonder, though, whether Trafalgar cotton might refer to the colour of the darning thread used. 'Trafalgar Blue' is a term used by various suppliers of blue products - Dulux Paints list 'Trafalgar Blue' as one of their colours. There is also some 'Trafalgar Blue' embroidery thread currently for sale on ebay:

.http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Embroidery-Thread ... 15001r1981

The NMM also note that blue thread was used to embroider identifying marks on Nelson's stockings.

http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/nelson ... ID=UNI0067

From the items I have looked at I am pretty sure there was a Trafalgar cotton fabric as well as the thread.

I think this might be a question for Fashion Museum (formerly the Museum of Costume) in Bath.

Anna - have you ever had any dealings with them?

MB

What a good idea! I often go to Bath so I'll drop into the Costume Museum next time I'm there and nobble one of the curators. Watch this space!

OMG - there's even a Trafalgar Stitch!

This is from 1855.

As before - hopefully this link will work for all.

Click here

MB

P.S. Anna - not so sure now about the fabric. May indeed be just thread. Don't want the folk in Bath to go off on the wrong tack!

Many thanks for the link to the Trafalgar Stitch. I had heard of this, but had never seen instructions how to do it. I did email the Royal School of Needlework for information some time ago but got no reply so it's nice to have the mystery solved!