In the Renaissance, women remained active only in spinning wool. Small shops in master craftsman's (artigiano) home were moved to larger shops in a different location, removing the wife from participation in the business while keeping the house.

Historians believe women filled a greater variety of professional roles, had more responsibilities, and had more economic contribution during the Middle Ages rather than the Renaissance. Women who could not marry or lacked the dowry (dote) required (richiesto) to become nuns had to find work. Before the 15th century women could join craft guilds, but after that point craft guilds began to exclude women. Women could be wool merchants, cutlers, leather workers, butchers, ironmonger, glovers, bookbinders, or goldsmiths. Sometimes, the wife of craftsman was good enough to supervise the shop or take it over when her husband was dead.