Circa 1840-1880: Lydia’s Lace by Betsy Chutchian for MODA Fabrics is inspired by the life of LydiaFolger Fowler, the first American-bornfemale physician. Born in Nantucket,Massachusetts in 1823, Lydia had a fewfamous cousins: Ben Franklin, Lucretia Mottand, Maria Mitchell. Lydia’s Lace features a palette of rich reds,deep blues, and yummy shades of cream,toast and cocoa.

Lydia studied at Wheaton College and would later teach as a professor of medicine. As an advocate for the health and education of women and children, Lydia was an avid speaker to crowds of mothers, often over the cries of their infants, while waving a fancy handkerchief to emphasize her points. Lydia and family moved to London in 1863, continuing her medical practice and activism for women and children until her death in 1879.