Dimity

Dimity is a collective term for figured cloths of harness loom decorated with designs and patterns. It is a strong cotton cloth with various stripes and illustrations. It is bleached or washed after looming, less often dyed, unlike fustian, which is usually dyed.^[1]

It is a lightweight, sheer cotton fabric, having at least two warp threads thrown into relief to form fine cords. It is a cloth commonly employed for bed upholstery and curtains, and usually white, though sometimes a pattern is printed on it in colors.^[2] Originally dimity was made of silk or wool, but since the 18th century it has been woven almost exclusively of cotton.

Types

Diaper is a type of dimity made of linen or cotton. It is a twill weave with diamond patterns.^[1]

A palampore is a dimity made in India and used for bed coverings.^[3]

Name

Dimity is also a girls' name, which, while still uncommon, is most popular in Australia.

Article of clothing

A dimity is a bit of draping worn by performers of the Poses Plastiques, which was an early form of strip tease. Performers wore flesh colored silk body stockings and a dimity to give the illusion of modesty.

Theatrical references

In the Finale of Act I of The Pirates of Penzance, the Pirates sing, "Pray observe the magnanimity we display to lace and dimity".
In the conclusion of Paul Selver's translation of The Insect Play by brothers Karel and Josef Čapek, a group of school children sing: "As I went down to Shrewsbury Town, / I saw my love in a dimity gown: / And all so gay I gave it away, / I gave it away—my silver crown."

References

^ ^a ^b Montgomery, Florence M. (1984). Textiles in America 1650-1870 : a dictionary based on original documents, prints and paintings, commercial records, American merchants' papers, shopkeepers' advertisements, and pattern books with original swatches of cloth. Internet Archive. New York; London : Norton. p. 218. ISBN 978-0-393-01703-8.
^ One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Dimity". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 8 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 273.
^ "palampore". Dictionary.com.

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[:0-1] Montgomery, Florence M. (1984). Textiles in America 1650-1870 : a dictionary based on original documents, prints and paintings, commercial records, American merchants' papers, shopkeepers' advertisements, and pattern books with original swatches of cloth. Internet Archive. New York; London : Norton. p. 218. ISBN 978-0-393-01703-8.

[2] One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Dimity". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 8 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 273.

[3] "palampore". Dictionary.com.

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