Toile Quilt Overshirt - S/M

One of one · 19th Century · France

Provenance

Cut from a 19th-century wholecloth quilt made from printed toile du jouy. Unlike pieced quilts assembled from many fragments, a wholecloth quilt uses an uninterrupted length of fabric across its surface, allowing the original pastoral print to remain intact. The textile bears the softened color, hand quilted lines, and subtle variations acquired through more than a century of domestic use.

The Making

Toile became prized for its finely rendered narrative scenes—often pastoral landscapes, architectural settings, flora, and figures printed in a single color against a light ground. In this quilt, the printed cloth was layered with batting and backing, then stitched throughout by hand. The quilting gives dimension to the illustrated surface while strengthening the textile structurally, creating a fabric that is both pictorial and functional.

The Garment

Cut as a traditional chore jacket with a relaxed body, dropped shoulders, and generous patch pockets. The placement of each pattern piece was considered individually to preserve the original toile scenes and the rhythm of the hand quilting. Areas of fading, wear, and repair are retained as part of the textile’s history. Because the jacket is made from a single antique quilt, there will never be another one exactly like it.

Fit and Measurements

Size S/M
Chest circumference: 45"
Shoulder: 19"
Front length: 24.5"