Fancywork: Needlework, Quilting and Crafts in the 1800s by Dr. Cynthia Resor
Name:
Fancywork: Needlework, Quilting and Crafts in the 1800s by Dr. Cynthia Resor
Date:
February 21, 2026
Time:
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EST
Website:
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Event Description:
For thousands of years, women were responsible for “plain sewing”—spinning, weaving, and sewing textiles for everyday use. In the 1800s, the Industrial Revolution produced factory-made fabrics, mass-produced sewing machines, and inexpensive ready-made clothing. These innovations gave average women time for “fancywork”—decorative sewing, crocheting, knitting, embroidery, patchwork and appliqué quilting, and craft projects.
In this presentation, we’ll explore how factory-made sewing and craft supplies influenced trends like crazy quilting; how the ideology of separate spheres for women and men influenced decorating the home with fancywork; fancywork created to sell charity bazaars and fundraising fairs; and the wide range of fancywork including techniques not common in the 21st century such hair work, bobbin work, netting, and potichomania.
In this presentation, we’ll explore how factory-made sewing and craft supplies influenced trends like crazy quilting; how the ideology of separate spheres for women and men influenced decorating the home with fancywork; fancywork created to sell charity bazaars and fundraising fairs; and the wide range of fancywork including techniques not common in the 21st century such hair work, bobbin work, netting, and potichomania.
