Fancy dyer

[RogFromBrum]

Hello!

I've an ancestor in Leicester in the 19th century who was a fancy dyer. I've come across the term before but I've not been able to determine exactly what the "fancy" was that she was dying. Did it have a particular meaning or was it just any piece of material which was somewhat elaborate in appearance?

Also, would this have been a home-based occupation or was the work done in factories? My ancestor was recorded as pursuing this line of work in the censuses from 1851 to 1881 (the latter when she was 76), suggesting to me that it may have been home-based. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Roger

[stanmapstone]

According to the O.E.D. Fancy Work Ornamental, as opposed to plain, work, esp. in needlework, crochet, knitting. See   http://www.rootschat.com/links/019tk/
Stan

[stanmapstone]

Apparently a "Fancy Dyer" was someone who made up colours that were not the regular colours used in dyeing, to create different patterns etc.

Stan

[RogFromBrum]

Thanks, Stan,

That's interesting. The job advert indeed suggests that the term "fancy" refers to the colours rather than to the work being dyed. I'd not thought of that possibility.