I am sure that many people are aware of The Blackwork embroidery Archives as this site has been online since 1996. The collection of sixteenth and seventeenth century inspired blackwork patterns has grown over this period to a huge resource. Many historical costumers would be aware of the site, are …
Ruskin Lace is defined by Elizabeth Prickett as A combination of Cut Linen Work, Drawn Thread and Needle Made Lace, worked on to an evenly woven fabric, with very distinctive results. Elizabeth Prickett aims to share her love and knowledge of this form of traditional needlecraft on the site. Techniques, …
I have been reminded about how textiles are often associated with births, marriage and death as I have discovered an illustrated article on Karelian embroidery which points out that this form of stitching dates back to 1200 AD. Often the patterns were said to have magical connotations. The pieces were …
I found this online facsimile of a book of lace designs by Federic Vinciolo who in 1606 was commissioned by the French court to produce lace. Many of these designs could be used as a design source – converted to cross stitch and used on samplers. Thinking about it, I …
Did you know that the word ‘green’ dates back to the root ‘gr’, meaning to grow. By medieval times it was the colour of love. This and all sorts of related trivia about colour and their pigments can be found on Pigments through the ages you can explore an over …
Working up designs in my studio journal is something I do all the time. Visual Journals and Studio Journal more or less mean the same thing. This article was in part prompted by a conversation I had with a work colleague the other day. He was saying that he works …
The Quaker Tapestry is another huge community embroidery project which took 15 years to complete. Taking an average of two years to embroider a panel there are 77 panels each measuring 25″ (635mm) wide by 21″ (533mm) deep. The tapestry was instigated by Anne Wynn-Wilson and over 4,000 men, women …
