Dress Trimming
ca. 1800 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Making net by hand is one of the oldest textile techniques, its earliest uses the practical ones of hunting and fishing. When the basic tools of shuttle and size gauge were refined to make a smaller mesh the use of net for decorative purposes became possible. In the 18th and early 19th centuries netting was a popular pastime for amateurs, as well as a commercial craft. For dress trimmings and accessories it was worked in coloured silks, in linen or as here, in cotton thread.
Ownership & Use
The prevailing fashions in women's dress at the beginning of the 19th century required lightweight fabrics that draped easily. The fabrics were often plain, or if patterned tended to have small motifs, so there was much scope for the further decoration of an outfit with accessories and trimmings. Woven ribbons and braids might be purchased, but lengths of trimming such as this could be netted at home.
Making net by hand is one of the oldest textile techniques, its earliest uses the practical ones of hunting and fishing. When the basic tools of shuttle and size gauge were refined to make a smaller mesh the use of net for decorative purposes became possible. In the 18th and early 19th centuries netting was a popular pastime for amateurs, as well as a commercial craft. For dress trimmings and accessories it was worked in coloured silks, in linen or as here, in cotton thread.
Ownership & Use
The prevailing fashions in women's dress at the beginning of the 19th century required lightweight fabrics that draped easily. The fabrics were often plain, or if patterned tended to have small motifs, so there was much scope for the further decoration of an outfit with accessories and trimmings. Woven ribbons and braids might be purchased, but lengths of trimming such as this could be netted at home.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Netted cotton |
| Brief description | Dress trimming of netted cotton, Great Britain, ca. 1800 |
| Physical description | Dress trimming of netted cotton. Simple square mesh and decorated with a few regularly placed point d'esprit darned with the net. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | British Galleries:
NEEDLEWORKING SKILLS Ladies in polite society were expected to be proficient in a wide range of needleworking skills. The graceful rhythm of techniques such as knotting or netting was thought to show off the elegance of a lady's hands. Embroidery, knitting and crochet are still current today. Knotting produced a decorative thread, with rows of little knots, that was sewn onto fabric. Fine net, made with thread from a decorative shuttle, was often further embroidered.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Made in Britain |
| Summary | Object Type Making net by hand is one of the oldest textile techniques, its earliest uses the practical ones of hunting and fishing. When the basic tools of shuttle and size gauge were refined to make a smaller mesh the use of net for decorative purposes became possible. In the 18th and early 19th centuries netting was a popular pastime for amateurs, as well as a commercial craft. For dress trimmings and accessories it was worked in coloured silks, in linen or as here, in cotton thread. Ownership & Use The prevailing fashions in women's dress at the beginning of the 19th century required lightweight fabrics that draped easily. The fabrics were often plain, or if patterned tended to have small motifs, so there was much scope for the further decoration of an outfit with accessories and trimmings. Woven ribbons and braids might be purchased, but lengths of trimming such as this could be netted at home. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.55A-1969 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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