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Ruffs

A ruff is a type of collar made of white, thin linen, cotton cloth, batiste or tulle. It was a piece of creased fabric that was sewn into a narrow piece, fastened with a button on the front. The ruffs were usually embroidered with small floral motifs with broderie anglaise – a type of embroidery with eyelets. The edges were finished with large semicircular or pointed cuttings. The most expensive were embroidered tulle ruffs. The ruff was worn only with festive clothing and was a set with a shirt that had an embroidered stand-up collar. If a corset or  kaftanek (a short, close-fitting jacket) was worn, the ruff was always placed on top. The beads, if they did not hold the bonnet ties, were always put on the ruff.