Delighting in the Details

The first six of these embroidery details are from 18th and early 19th century “pockets” that were gathered from museums throughout the UK and comprise the online archive called ‘Pockets of History.’
The ‘Pockets at the V&A’ site explains that “women's pockets weren't sewn on the outside or into the seams of their clothes as they are today. Until the middle of the 19th century, pockets for women were a separate item and they were worn tied around with waist with a tie or string.”

It’s a fascinating bit of fashion/textile history that you can learn more about at the two sites above. Most compelling to me, however, were the close-up images of the sumptuous stitching. Truly glorious color and variety.