sempsters

Men, women, and children were moving about in all directions; now stopping before the mercers 'shops, or the sempsters from Cheapside, or looking into those of the goldsmiths: while the vintners were never without a crowd inside or out of their booths.

John Deane of Nottingham Historic Adventures by Land and Sea William Henry Giles Kingston 1847

As I had often begged the king to induce his men, who are all wonderfully clever artisans, to imitate the chair and other things I gave him, I now told him if he would order some of his sempsters, who are far cleverer with the needle than my men, to my camp, I would cut up some old clothes, and so teach them how to work.

The Discovery of the Source of the Nile John Hanning Speke 1845

The instincts of nature point out neither taylors, nor weavers, nor mantua-makers, nor sempsters, nor milliners; and yet I am very glad that we do not run naked like the Hottentots.

Letters of the Right Honourable Lady M--y W--y M--e Montague, Lady Mary W 1724

In certain other settings, of course, hoops, panniers, chemises and corsets may be admired in the ladies 'dressing room, especially where hand-embroidered as well as designed, and constructed by the wearer or one of the sempsters in attendance.

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