Ornamental needlework or decorative handcrafts, especially embroidery or other delicate decorative sewing work.
Compound of 'fancy' (decorative, ornamental) plus 'work' (labor or craft). This term became common in the 19th century to describe the elaborate embroidery and needlework that was a popular hobby for women.
During the Victorian era, fancywork was considered an essential skill for young women—it combined art, patience, and femininity, and some pieces took hundreds of hours to complete!
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