forgotten professions Nr 2

Chevener – A person who embroidered silk stockings.

For centuries women had worked at home knitting, weaving, embroidering items of clothing.

In the 1860's factories were opening up, where women worked knitting machines instead of knitting at home. However some employers still continued to pass work out to them and receive (knitting) rents back.  They employed large numbers of women outworkers known as 'cheveners'.

The cheveners embroidered decorative designs on stockings and socks.

 

These are a pair especially embroidered for Queen Victoria.

They look as if they might have been really 'baggy', not like today's stretchy nylon ones!

But you can still buy embroidered silk stockings today !