Today is the birthday of the writer Jane Austen. Jane Austen is one of the best-selling English-language novelists to date, and readers' enthusiasm for her novels has not diminished. Her work has been hailed as a "three-inch-sized ivory carving." This undoubtedly praises its refinement, but it also seems to contain the regret of "not having a big pattern". Today, movable type Jun shares with book friends the article "Jane Austen's Why Women Love Needlework", returning to british history at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Deep moss text
Jane Austen lived in England, spanning the George and Regent dynasties (18th to early 19th centuries), when printed cloth, fine porcelain, and new products spawned by the industrial age appeared one by one. Vendors visiting country estates carry a printed catalogue of tables, tea sets, cloth patterns, and wallpapers that can be dazzling. The arrival of new pattern fabrics was promptly advertised in the newspaper. Catching the fashion is a big thing for ladies and gentlemen, and it cannot be taken lightly. At this time, because of the rapid growth of the middle class, people's enthusiasm for architecture, clothing, interior decoration and craftsmanship was very high. What is impressive in "Northangjue Temple" is that the male protagonist Tierney is also very experienced in female topics such as clothing fabrics, not only can even help buy his sister's skirt, but also can see at a glance that the skirt worn by the heroine can't help but wash, and give suggestions on how to make the best use of it.
Cotton and linen embroidered long skirts for women of Austen's time
Books such as "Northang Kyaw Temple" often mention muslin, and too many things in the house at that time had to use linen tablecloths, towels, bed sheet pillowcases, and baby clothes. In Mansfield Manor, Mrs. Presley gives birth to a child, and the gift received from the manor is a set of crib sheets, hats, and pajamas made of sackcloth. Of course, the linen made by bedding is not as fine as the fine linen used for gentleman's shirts and neck scarves. When it comes to the neck scarf, the men in the regency period do not have the conditions to take a bath every day, and more preparation of a good linen snow white delicate neck scarf has become an element of grooming.
Mr. Darcy's scarf
Outside the middle and upper classes, the situation is turbulent, labor riots, Austins even if they have heard about it, they have no chance to intervene, their private life content, in addition to the most exciting participation in the ball (oh my God, their dance party is really much), basically limited to walking, tea, needlework, managing a large family and other trivialities. The road conditions during the Regency period were much better than in previous generations, and people loved to travel. Women of the lower classes could ride alone in public carriages, while upper-class ladies could not travel alone. The road is far and difficult, and it is understandable to stay abroad for ten and a half days at a time. Some female dependents simply help with housework or take care of children at relatives' homes. The rest of the time, visits to relatives and friends are basically arranged during the day. It is good to visit friends' houses, do needlework together, and discuss craftsmanship. Most women spend a lot of time doing needlework, stupid like the heroine Catherine in "NorthangJue Temple", reading books can't paint, can't read poetry, needlework is still affordable. However, when the female guests came to visit, everyone could only embroider the flowers together, and the simple sewing and repairing had to be done behind the scenes, which was regarded as rude before being disclosed.
In this period, frugality was a virtue. The maids used soft hats of muslin cloth, and although the female relatives in the family situation had beautiful fabrics to choose from, if possible, they could still save the province to change their clothes, change the edges of the hat, etc., which was normal. The heroine of "Mansfield Manor", Fanny, gets up early and greedily sews linen shirts for her brothers; and in real life, Austin, who is very good at self-esteem, also makes a lot of shirts for the two brothers. At the same time, the standard of a good squire is that the workers to be hired are good; making clothes for the children of poor families and helping servants mend their clothes is both the charity of the rich lady and the needle and thread, and the respected quality of the female dependents. In "Persuasion", Mrs. Smith, a widow who once belonged to the middle class and later fell into the middle of the family road, learned to weave to help people in her settlement who were even poorer than her, and she learned to knit needles, which also shows that doing public welfare is indeed a highly valued female quality.
"Mouth Gold Pack"
Austen's novels treat money with the most realistic attitude, reflecting reality. Character and kindness are important, but they can't do without money. Therefore, in the Regency era, the money bag was a good choice for families to give each other small gifts. At that time, both men and women used small money bags (today's handicraft enthusiasts call "mouth gold bags" is also), and this small wallet is knitted or woven, which is very popular. When Darcy and his friends in "Pride and Prejudice" expressed their opinions on what kind of women can be called talented women, they pointed out how many women know how to weave money bags and embellish screens, which is called talented, in fact, it is not unusual, the real talented women in his heart should always be exquisite in music, painting, literature, etc., but also have insight, interest, eagerness to learn and elegance. Of course, it is interesting that very talented women often almost become old girls. Think of the explanation of "Persuasion" can use poetry to explain the lovelorn man, Anne, at the age of 27, she was rejuvenated because she met her sweetheart again; but Catherine, who was very silly and naïve in "Northangjue Temple", married herself appropriately at the age of 18.
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