Details of Bobbin Réseau and Toilé.
Details of Needle Réseau and Buttonhole Stitches.
Though cut-work is mentioned in Hardyng's Chronicle,[[49]] when describing the luxury in King Richard II.'s reign, he says:—
"Cut werke was greate both in court and townes,
Both in menes hoddis and also in their gownes,"
yet this oft-quoted passage, no more than that of Chaucer, in which he again accuses the priests of wearing gowns of scarlet and green colours ornamented with cut-work, can scarcely be received as evidence of this mode of decoration being in general use. The royal wardrobe accounts of that day contain no entries on the subject. It applies rather to the fashion of cutting out[[50]] pieces of velvet or other materials, and sewing them down to the garment with a braid like ladies' work of the present time. Such garments were in general use, as the inventories of mediæval times fully attest.
The linen shirt or smock was the special object of adornment, and on the decoration of the collar and sleeves much time and ingenuity were expended.
In the ancient ballad of "Lord Thomas,"[[51]] the fair Annette cries:—
"My maids, gae to my dressing-room,