Hand Spun Undyed 100% Wool Crocheted HUG ME TIGHT SONTAG 1800's to early 1900's

Description

Woman's size regular, hand-crocheted "Hug-me-tight", Sontag vest made from unique, natural Navajo-Churro wool from the high ranges of New Mexico. The undyed wool was hand spun and hand crocheted to make this unique, one-of-kind vest. The "hug-me-tight is a wonderful, attractive garment which is also very functional. The upper body is kept warm while the arms are left free.  The garment lies close to your body and out of the fire, food, wash water and other hazards which women of the period faced in their daily lives.  This a a Civil War era design, but garments of this style were worn well before and well into the early 1900's.
The vest is sized "regular" to fit most adult women who wear size medium to large. The side ties allow for adjustment to a range of sizes.
It  closes down the front with four large buttons. Tasseled ties lace at the sides and can be adjusted for a flattering fit. The garment is v-shaped front and back, in flattering
raised
diagonal rows and it has a pretty scalloped edging around the neck and outside edges which flare over the shoulder area. The arm opening are large enough to accommodate the fullest of sleeves.
It measures approximately 22 1/2" from the top back of the V-neck edge to the bottom.  Point of the shoulder to the bottom point is 32".  The waist can be tightened down to about 35" and can be expanded by loosening the side ties.  Due to the nature of crochet work. it is quite stretchy and can be made to fit many sizes. The yarn has a silky hand but can be scratchy to those who are sensitive to natural wool. It is very warm and cozy, and due to the natural lanolin in the wool, it has some resistance to water.
I strongly suggest the vest to only be hand washed cold, lay flat to dry, reshape to size. Do not bleach. Do not dry clean. NEVER WASH IN HOT WATER OR THE WASHER!
History of the "Hug-Me-Tight" Sontag Vest
During much of the 1800's and  into the early 1900's many styles of crocheted and knitted vests were featured in fashion magazines. Known by many names such as Sontag, spencer, habit shirt, crossover shawl, bosom friend, heart warmer and hug me tight. All refer to a garment that is worn on the upper body.  Many were of the wrap around style known as Sontags, but several styles featured buttons down the front.
History of the Navajo-Churro Sheep
The Navajo-Churro sheep are descended from the Churra, an ancient Iberian breed. Although secondary to the Merino, the Churra (later corrupted to “Churro” by American frontiersmen) was prized by the Spanish for its remarkable hardiness, adaptability and fecundity. The churra was the very first breed of domesticated sheep in the New World. Its importation to New Spain by the Spanish dates back to the 16th century where it was used to feed and clothe the armies of the conquistadors and Spanish settlers.
As early as 1789, the Spanish controlled the export of ewes from he province of New Mexico to maintain breeding stock.  Unfortunately in the 1850's thousands of Churro were trailed west to supply the California Gold Rush.  Most of the remaining Churro of the Hispanic ranches were crossed with fine wool rams to supply the demand of garment wool caused by the increased population and the Civil War.  In 1863 the U. S. Army destroyed much of the Navajo flocks in retribution for continued Indian depredations. In the 1900's further "improvements" and stock reductions were  imposed upon Navajo flocks by U. S. agencies. True survivors were only to be found in isolated villages in Northern New Mexico ad in remote canyons of the Navajo Reservation.
In the 1970’s several individuals began acquiring Churro phenotypes with the purpose of preserving the breed and revitalizing Navajo and Hispanic flocks. Criteria for the breed had been established from data collected for three decades (1936 – 1966) by the Southwestern Range and Sheep Breeding Laboratory at Fort Wingate, New Mexico. Several flocks have developed, and the Navajo Sheep Project has introduced cooperative breeding programs in some Navajo and Hispanic flocks.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
I am happy to combine shipping on multiple items. Thanks for looking and Happy eBaying!
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