Homespun Dress

Hemp seeds were brought to the American colonies in sailing ship rigged with sails of Cannabis woven into a cloth, called canvas. Cannabis fibers, resistant to rot in salt water , were so important to ships' rigging that penalties were imposed on colonists who didn't grow cannabis for the English navy .

Threads on a loom are called a warp and cloth is made by weaving weft threads under and over , plain weave's a simple reverse of over first and then under on the odd rows.

To collectors a colonial homespun dress is more valuable today than a high style fine formal dress that has been packed away and preserved, the homespun being more rare because they were worn until they became rags .

Home"spun (?), a.

1.

Spun or wrought at home; of domestic manufacture; coarse; plain.

"Homespun country garbs."

W. Irving.

2.

Plain in manner or style; not elegant; rude; coarse.

"Our homespun English proverb." Dryden. "Our homespun authors." Addison.

 

© Webster 1913.


Home"spun, n.

1.

Cloth made at home; as, he was dressed in homespun.

2.

An unpolished, rustic person.

[Obs.]

Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.

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