Dress

During the 19th century the lace industry in the UK employed a considerable number of children and young girls. They usually worked from home, and their finished work was bought by dealers (less the cost of any patterns and thread supplied). While working from home would give a more pleasant environment than, say, a factory, the lace workers were very much dependent on the dealers to pay a fair price, and would often work many hours a day to make enough money. There were other health issues, too: Major J G Burns reported to the Children's Employment Commission 1842 "Mr Collier, surgeon of Towcester, gave me a paper on the health of lace-makers…he also told me that much injury ensues to young girls from a habit they have of wearing a strong wooden busk in their stays [a wooden bar to stiffen the front of their corsets] to support them when stooping over their lace pillows; this being worn when young and the bones soft acts very injuriously on the sternum [breastbone] and ribs."