Ornamental, as opposed to plain, work, esp. in needlework, crochet, knitting, or the like; rarely, a piece of such work.
1842. F. D. Bennett, Whaling Voy., II. 91. Their domestic manufactures are chiefly cotton-cloth, mats, and fancy works, executed with the split leaves of the fan-palm, and prettily stained.
1866. Mrs. Gaskell, Wives & Dau., xiv. (1867), 142. You don’t do fancy-work!
b. slang. In phrase ‘To take in fancy work: to be addicted to secret prostitution’ (Farmer).
