EMBROIDERY, MACHINE, PETTICOAT

A lady’s delicate skirt, commercially embroidered on cotton net, providing a lacey appearance, England, early 19th C.

The skirt, from a length of machine made fabric 1500 mm wide, is joined at the seam. An elaborate design of flowers and leaves in geometric diamonds. Gathering threads evident at top.

Lace has been fashionable for over 300 years, Handmade lace is expensive and time consuming to make. With the Industrial Revolution in the late 19th C , machines produced lace quicker, easier and cheaper. Women’s fashions of late 19th and early 20th C favoured the light airy appearance made popular with the advent of the muslins from India.

The white fabric was a status symbol a mark of gentility due to their delicate nature and ease of soiling, certainly not worn by the working class women. Embroidery transformed the simple white gown into works of art.

https://janeaustensworld.com/2011/09/08/muslin-muslin-versatile-cloth-for-regency-fashion/