Not too worry, neither did my grandmother! She started making table cloths and table runners. As a means to survive and feed four kids in pre-war times, her creations eventually developed into a range which also included serviettes and cutlery folders. My grandmother, Marie Breitenmoser, quickly had orders from clients across Appenzell and other parts of Switzerland admiring her fine handwork.
https://marutsca.com/you-dont-know-what-happened-in-1926/
Furthermore, she used linen … we love linen … and did the ancient art of embroidery which we call Appenzeller Stickerei. Today no one does this embroidery style anymore and these pieces are collectors’ items now. Some of her embroidered pieces are 60 years and older, because she used linen it can be preserved well. Because it last so well, wears well and is probably one of the oldest fabric qualities around.
I remember distinctly the one big table cloth for a German client on which she did 250 of these little embroidered roses. This table cloth, for a 12-seated-table, took forever. She sat at her embroidery stand, with her silhouette etched against the sun coming into the lounge. Her beautiful long silver hair bundled on top of her elegant head in a long plait … a beautiful woman … I was rather fascinated with my charming grandmother, I thought she was one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. I was six years old at the time and she seemed like an angel.
My father immigrated to Africa in 1958. As a result, I did not see my OMA much after that. Above all, we continued to keep in touch. As a result she always send me birthday cards or a little embroidered handkerchief. She showed an interest in my world of fashion. She certainly did inspire me in my young age.
When I look back at the photos with her, her kids, my father … I love the quality and style and also the beautiful detail in the clothes worn back then.
Fashion has changed drastically since then, and it is going through another major shift now. Similarly, we, the design community today, have an obligation to work with eco-friendly fabric, to design with sustainability in mind. Therefor creating a conscious way of wearing our clothes longer than one season and throwing away less. For this reason I design timeless fashion.
Did you know that you can see her work in the APPENZELLER MUSEUM today? It’s all preserved, perfectly packed and on display. Marie Breitenmoser, my grandmother.
7 Comments on “You don’t know what happened in 1926?”
I also love linen, it’s the luxurious feeling of this fabric on your skin … makes you tingles all day! 💛
Welcome to MARUTSCA.COM, trust our linen clothing tingle you some more. 😉
Take care,
the M-Team
I like your blog, anymore coming soon?
Very interesting,
Marie
YES! Just posted another one. Happy reading,
Regards,
the M-Team
Love your clothes. What is recommended for the fuller figure, without a waistline?
Hallo Elisabeth,
Thank you glad you love linen clothing as much as we do!
Have you looked at our size chart? I wear a large and I’m nicely padded. Bust 106 cm and hip at 118 cm. I always cut my designs loose around the waist, mostly wear things without belts.
I’ll be in Cape Town from the 26 January to the 5 February if you would like to come to our StudioM and try the garments on before buying anything. Do you stay in CT? We’re in Maitland, the Platform 236 Building, 264 Voortrekker Road.
Let me know, my WhatsApp is +248 2889087.
Take care,
Marutsca
Hi there,
Elizabeth, sorry to only answer now, only saw your mail now. I pressed the button “comments”. Sorry, it’s me and technology. That is not a good combination. 😉
I’m a full figure too. 😉
All the dresses are good for fuller figures and beautiful curves like us. That is why we added the soft tie belt for the people who would like to emphasise the waist. It depends what you like Elizabeth. In the kaftan all figures feels good … just for short people, it lose the floppiness because we shorten it then.
The Maxi is suitable for all, our best seller. The feedback we got is that it’s comfy, flowy and a bit more formal than the kaftan.
The shirtdress is very slimming and tapering down …
If I do wear a belt, I wear it on the hips … avoiding the waist. That works well.
The little shift is also cut that the waist is not so emphasised .
What do you like wearing?
Let me know, more specific, then I can advise you.
Take care,
xxx
Marutsca