Multicolored patchwork coat

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A multicolored patchwork coat with long tapered dolman sleeves, a high neckline, and an open front. The exterior is constructed of rectangular patches of silk and synthetic fabrics of various weave types. The patches of fabric are red, yellow, green, blue, brown, white, purple, maroon, gray, and rust. All the patches are joined by hand with black embroidery thread in a decorative herringbone stitching. The patchwork is backed with plain woven linen fabric. The patchwork exterior appears to have been made in one singular panel, with the only machine sewn seams along the sides and the inner side of the sleeves. Black crepe piping is sewn along the center front opening and the neckline. Narrow panels of fabric are sewn around the circumference of the hemline and sleeve cuffs. The sleeve cuffs are made of a narrow panel of pink, green, and black fabric.

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