Introduction
Egyptian embroidery is visible in tomb paintings that show decorated clothing and hangings. The Romans, who called it “painting with thread,” held needlework in high regard. Basic needlework stitches probably haven't changed much over the centuries, although the needles are much different. Ancient peoples probably used bone, wood, or ivory to sew warm, simple clothes from animal skins. Today, needles are made of plastic or steel.
Egyptian double-running stitch embroidery from the Whitworth Gallery.
Needlework was also used to adorn garments worn by clergymen during the Middle Ages. The embroidery was stitched by monks and nuns.
Embroidery in the Middle Ages.
The embroidery on the traditional clothing in Russia and central Europe reflected where a person was from. Homemakers embroidered many household items, embellishing curtains, bedspreads, and towels.
Fancy Court Gown of Alexandra Feodrovna, reproducing the dress of the Tsarina Marfa Ilyinichna, wife of Tsar Alexei Michaelovitch, 1903.
Needlework was very popular in America during colonial times. Learning to stitch was part of a girl's education, and she often created a cross-stitch sampler. A vehicle for practicing stitches and learning to read and write, samplers often featured numbers, letters, poetry, and prayers, as well as flowers, buildings, and animal motifs. Many samplers hang in historical societies and museums today, reminders of the beauty and durability of embroidery.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art: An American cross-stitched sampler from the eighteenth century.
Needlework from the USA
Creator and Title of Work: Karin Birch, Serpentine.
Techniques and Materials: Beaded, couched painted; linen, embroidery floss, glass seed beads, acrylic paint.
Size: 22 x 18 inches.
Creator and Title of Work: Maggi Rozycki Hiltner, The Monsanto Twins Try a Little Genetic Engineering.
Techniques and Materials: Appliqué, stitched; cotton.
Size: 13 x 16 inches.
Creator and Title of Work: Tricia Lane, Three Young Men Carrying Two Large Trunks.
Techniques and Materials: Embroidered, appliquéd, quilted; vinyl, cotton thread.
Comment [1]: As a child of the seventies and eighties, I have very fond memories of living with plastic. It feels natural to combine synethetic fiber with natural fabrics to document my life.
Size: 7.5 x 12 inches.
Creator and Title of Work: Linda H. Konya, John.
Techniques and Materials: Embroidered, appliquéd, wrapped; linen, wool, cotton floss.
Size: 15 x 17 inches.
Photo Courtesy: Carla Steckley.
Creator and Title of Work: Carol Ventura, The Rules.
Techniques and Materials: Tapestry crocheted; linen.
Size: 15 x 7 inches.
Photo Courtesy: John S. Cummings.
Creator and Title of Work: Margaret Cusack, Cause and Effect.
Techniques and Materials: Machine appliquéd; metallic fabric, buttons, thread, metal frame.
Size: 8 x 10 inches.
Photo Courtesy: Alex Cao.
Creator and Title of Work: Colleen O'Rourke, Lazy Eye.
Techniques and Materials: Embroidered; cotton, seed beads, thread.
Size: 15 x 19 inches.
Creator and Title of Work: Carol Burns, Rainy Day on the Isle of Spice.
Techniques and Materials: Embroidered; fabric, embroidery floss.
Size: 16.5 x 13.25 inches.
Reference:
[1] S. M. Kieffer (Editor), Fiberarts Design Book 7, Lark Books, New York (2004).
Egyptian embroidery is visible in tomb paintings that show decorated clothing and hangings. The Romans, who called it “painting with thread,” held needlework in high regard. Basic needlework stitches probably haven't changed much over the centuries, although the needles are much different. Ancient peoples probably used bone, wood, or ivory to sew warm, simple clothes from animal skins. Today, needles are made of plastic or steel.
Needlework was also used to adorn garments worn by clergymen during the Middle Ages. The embroidery was stitched by monks and nuns.
The embroidery on the traditional clothing in Russia and central Europe reflected where a person was from. Homemakers embroidered many household items, embellishing curtains, bedspreads, and towels.
Needlework was very popular in America during colonial times. Learning to stitch was part of a girl's education, and she often created a cross-stitch sampler. A vehicle for practicing stitches and learning to read and write, samplers often featured numbers, letters, poetry, and prayers, as well as flowers, buildings, and animal motifs. Many samplers hang in historical societies and museums today, reminders of the beauty and durability of embroidery.
Needlework from the USA
Techniques and Materials: Beaded, couched painted; linen, embroidery floss, glass seed beads, acrylic paint.
Size: 22 x 18 inches.
Techniques and Materials: Appliqué, stitched; cotton.
Size: 13 x 16 inches.
Techniques and Materials: Embroidered, appliquéd, quilted; vinyl, cotton thread.
Comment [1]: As a child of the seventies and eighties, I have very fond memories of living with plastic. It feels natural to combine synethetic fiber with natural fabrics to document my life.
Size: 7.5 x 12 inches.
Techniques and Materials: Embroidered, appliquéd, wrapped; linen, wool, cotton floss.
Size: 15 x 17 inches.
Photo Courtesy: Carla Steckley.
Techniques and Materials: Tapestry crocheted; linen.
Size: 15 x 7 inches.
Photo Courtesy: John S. Cummings.
Techniques and Materials: Machine appliquéd; metallic fabric, buttons, thread, metal frame.
Size: 8 x 10 inches.
Photo Courtesy: Alex Cao.
Techniques and Materials: Embroidered; cotton, seed beads, thread.
Size: 15 x 19 inches.
Techniques and Materials: Embroidered; fabric, embroidery floss.
Size: 16.5 x 13.25 inches.
Reference:
[1] S. M. Kieffer (Editor), Fiberarts Design Book 7, Lark Books, New York (2004).
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