EARLY WINDOW DRESSINGS

Decades before the lavish, multi-layered drapery of the Victorian era, artful window dressings graced Georgian and Federal homes. Master weaver and textile historian Rabbit Goody created this ensemble for the Music Room at the Schuyler Mansion in Albany, New York, interpreted to ca. 1780–90. Under-curtains are gossamer dimity in cotton, with handwoven cut fringe. Swagged valances are moireed dark-blue silk, with a center bell of yellow damask sewn onto the swags and tails. Handmade cording gathers the swags.

Goody’s Thistle Hill Weavers creates historic-reproduction fabrics of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, working with museums, the film industry, and individual designers and homeowners. Signature offerings include Venetian and ingrain carpet, dimities, worsted camblet, baize, fancy figured worsteds, tapes, and fringes. Goody maintains an extensive library and consults for clients. Hers is one of the only mills in the country that will weave short runs of custom luxury fabrics: