Elizabethan Embriodery & Blackwork

I found a library book several years ago that contained some Elizabethan blackwork designs --a style of embroidery used in the time of Elizabeth I (first image below). I attempted to stitch one of the designs and still have not finished:)--one of those lifetime projects! (see second image) The effect of this embroidery is bold and delicate at the same time- yet fairly simple to stitch- which may be one reason why it was used as a popular clothing decoration in the Renaissance period.
According to Wikipedia, Blackwork embroidery is a counted thread technique using black thread(mostly)(the designs I found included color)-- usually stitched on even-weave fabric such as linen. It was used on shirts, chemises or smocks in England from the time of Henry VIII.

"Blackwork in silk on linen was the most common domestic embroidery for clothing (shirts, smocks, sleeves, ruffs, and capes) and for household items such as cushion covers throughout the reign of  Elizabeth I"(Wikipedia, Blackwork article).  Here is a  link that gives more information and illustrations. www.blackworkarchives.com
And another--www.prettyimpressivestuff.com/blackwork.htm

Danish Sampler Birds in Crosstitch

From a Danish needlework design book(Danish Handcraft Guild) Gerda Bengtsson & Elsie Thordur-Hansen, 1965. More to come...

Samplers in Time

During one of our trips to Williamsburg,Virginia, we visited a museum with colonial era sampler embroidery. These pieces of handwork were stored in a special light controlled room to protect the fabric from further deterioration. Each one was placed in a glass case fitted into a file drawer that you could tip out to view at a better angle. I was fascinated by the change in design and style from the earlier time to the later 18th Century samplers. The early spot motif/ band samplers with bands or strips of designs showing the needleworkers' range of skills gave way to schoolgirls' samplers with  borders and alphabets alongside poetry verse. These slowly changed to become even more detailed and associated with family lists of births and deaths, historic events, etc.-they also showed larger depictions of houses and buildings.
"The earliest known surviving colonial sampler was worked by Laura Standish, daughter of  Myles Standish, who had traveled to America on the Mayflower-.Although undated, the sampler was worked at some time around 1640-1650."From -Samplers- By Rebecca Scott, 2009.

Usually, to our eyes, these old samplers look stained/washed out and the colors dull--yet there are some examples today of how the embroidery actually looked  with bold and muted shades of red, blue, green, gold and brown.

Try comparing sampler patterns designed today to several from the past--to see what designs and ideas have come down to us....through time!

Common type of verse found on early samplers:
"Love by hope is still sustained
Zeal by the rewards that's gained...
Weakness strength from prudence wins-
Honesty it's credit wealth-
Temperance the support of health,
Joys from calm contentment spring.." (Samplers by R. Scott, 2009)

Crochet Hat Pattern

www.Craftelf.com/Crochet_Basic_Winter_Hat.htm

Looking forward to warm ears!!

Tree of Life

Two examples of the tree of life design from -The Art of Crewel Embroidery- by M. Davis(1962)-the first is found on a 17th Century bed linen set. The second is from a petticoat border made in New England around the same time.

     " Flowers, plants, and fishes,
           beasts, birds, flies, and bees,
      Hills, dales, plains, pastures,
           skies, seas, rivers, trees.
      There's nothing near at hand
           or fartherest sought
      But with the needle may
           be shaped and wrought.  "

                                       - The Needle's Excellency - by John Taylor(1580-1653)

Part of a Rich History

I began to realize that every time I worked on a needlework/crochet project--I was participating in a rich history that extends far back to the time when the first thread was spun from wool:) As I studied and read more about this history, I found that I enjoyed all aspects of this decorative art-and understood how it enriched family and  culture in ever changing and practical ways. One book I discovered several years ago(found in the library) told about the "Tree of Life" design and how it is one of the oldest and most commonly used motifs in the history of embroidery. The design takes a multitude of forms in several different cultures and yet is still a tree! So there are some intriguing avenues of study --different designs and ideas that are common, yet infinitely diverse in their expression- even in contemporary patterns and projects. The simplest or most complicated handwork project that you attempt- no matter how long it takes to complete- is an important part of our shared history!


I have included some links to sites that I have discovered so far-and will be adding more..