  |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| St Jean de Boiseau: bride
93567octets |
Vue: coif with bonnet
67015octets |
Pornic: coif around
1840
99548octets |
 |
 |
 |
| St Brévin "Câline"
mourning coif 50597octets |
Machecoul: ceremony coif
77679octets |
Ste Marie sur Mer: bride
coif
52677octets |
Head dresses and the linen maid
As well as
making and pressing head dresses, the linen maid would also iron mens’
shirt fronts for Sundays, curtains and First Communion outfits.
Two years’
apprenticeship were required for this work. Note the old iron which was
filled with ‘braise’ or very hot embers of coal. Note also the long wooden
sleeve presser. The shape of the head dress varied slightly from parish
to parish.
The starched
folds or pleats were made using special reeds found in the area.
A head dress
form (porte-coiffe) was used so that it did not remain flat. The whole
process of pressing a head dress took two hours.
Old
photos and engravings of some coifs and costumes of Pays de Retz
|
|
|
|
 |
Visit the
Museum |
Our
Association |
Visit
Pays de Retz |
 |