Labour of the Stitch: The Making and Remaking of Fashionable Georgian Dress

The creation of fashionable women's dress in Georgian England involved a lot of manual labor, from the mantuamakers and seamstresses who worked with silk and linen to the artists and engravers who spread the designs through print and paper. This element highlights the sartorial hand as a point of connection across the various trades that contributed to the fashion industry in the 18th century. It also explores how the agency and skill of the stitching hand can inform our understanding of craft, industry, gender, and labor in this period through recreation methodologies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 90 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In Georgian England, the creation of fashionable women's dresses required an immense amount of manual labor. From the skilled mantuamakers and seamstresses who meticulously crafted garments from lengths of silk and linen, to the artists and engravers who disseminated and immortalized these designs in print and paper, Georgian garments were the result of the combined efforts of numerous busy hands. This Element serves as a focal point, highlighting the sartorial hand as a bridge between the various trades that contributed to the fashion of the eighteenth century. Importantly, it engages with recreation methodologies to explore how the agency and skill of the stitching hand can shed light on our understanding of craft, industry, gender, and labor during this period.

The labor of stitching, alongside printmaking, drawing, and painting, formed a rich tapestry of making and manual labor that together shaped eighteenth-century cultures of fashionable dress. The meticulous attention to detail and skilled craftsmanship that went into creating these garments reflected the societal values and hierarchies of the time. Women's dresses, in particular, became a symbol of status and wealth, with intricate embroidery, lace, and embellishments showcasing the wealth and taste of their owners.

However, the making of fashionable women's dresses was not without its challenges. The labor-intensive process involved numerous steps, from sourcing materials to sewing and finishing. Mantuamakers and seamstresses worked long hours, often in poor conditions, to produce garments that were both fashionable and durable. The use of expensive materials such as silk and linen further increased the cost of production, making dresses out of reach for many women.

Despite these challenges, the fashion industry in Georgian England continued to thrive. The demand for fashionable dresses was high, and the industry employed a wide range of skilled workers, including tailors, pattern makers, and milliners. The rise of printmaking and engraving also played a significant role in the dissemination of fashion designs, allowing for the wider distribution of fashionable clothing.

In conclusion, the making of fashionable women's dresses in Georgian England was a complex and labor-intensive process that involved numerous skilled workers and creative processes. The sartorial hand played a crucial role in this industry, as the agency and skill of the stitching hand informed understandings of craft, industry, gender, and labor in the eighteenth century. The fashion industry in Georgian England was a vibrant and dynamic sector that contributed to the cultural and social fabric of the time, and the labor of stitching was a vital part of its success.

ISBN-13: 9781009177696