Victorian Sewing: A Brief History of Plain and Fancy Work
“Light or fancy needlework often forms a portion of the evening’s recreation for the ladies of the household…” Beeton’s Book of Household Management, 1861.
During the 19th century, women were rarely idle in their spare moments. Many preferred instead to occupy themselves with a bit of sewing. This sewing generally fell into two broad categories: plain work and fancy work. Plain work was used to make or mend simple articles of clothing. While fancy work—which included knitting, crochet, and embroidery—was used in a more decorative sense. A young lady skilled at both plain and fancy work could not only repair her current clothing, she could design and sew stylish new pieces to supplement her wardrobe. As an 1873 issue of Harper’s Bazaar explains:[…]Continue Reading
