Sunday, June 24, 2007

Interlacing stitch, again

I'm so happy I finally managed to make some stars/crosses in interlacing stitch. From left to right, today's progress, using DMC cotton floss:


I also found out how I can make the stitches more even. Instead of drawing the small auxilary lines, I drew a dot on the main line were each interlacing stitch should be. Then, I counted the linen threads, starting from the dots. Like this:



And a picture of my "goal" to keep me going: a 14th century whitework border in interlacing stitch:


This picture is from Pesel, L. , Newberry, N. (1921), A book of old embroidery, with articles by A. F. Kendrick. London: Geoffrey Holme, “The Studio”

Friday, June 22, 2007

Encyclopedia of Needlework by Therese de Dillmont (1846-1890)

I found a link to a wonderful online historical needlework book on the Project Gutenburg website. It downloads quickly (on my computer at least) and the pictures are beautiful and very clear. I'm absolutely fascinated by the alphabet done in some kind of embroidered braids. And I love the practical directions for transferring the design onto the fabric.

Encyclopedia of Needlework by Therese de Dillmont

This is the table of contents. The links don't always seem to work, but sometimes you can click on the titles for a direct link to the pages :-)

PREFACE.Page
PLAIN SEWING
Stitches
Seams
Gathering
Sewing on cord and flaps10
Button-holes11
Sewing on buttons12
Binding slits13
Sewing on piping13
Fixing whale-bones—Herring-boning14
MENDING15
Linen darning16
Satin or twill darning17
Damask darning18
Fine-drawing20
Patching20
SINGLE AND CUT OPEN-WORK23
Hem-stitching24
Open-work patterns27
Cutting out threads at the corners39
Cut open-work40
Patterns for cut open-work42
NET AND DAMASK STITCHES51
Net embroidery51
Net patterns52
Net darning62
Damask stitches63
WHITE EMBROIDERY76
Stitches77
Different kinds of scallops79
Eyelet holes80
Six ways of making dots81
Venetian embroidery82
Patterns and alphabets83
FLAT STITCH AND GOLD EMBROIDERY105
Encroaching satin stitch105
Oriental stitch106
Plaited stitch and mosaic stitch108
Persian stitch109
Straight and encroaching flat stitch patterns110
Chinese embroidery111
Raised embroidery113
Turkish embroidery113
Implements and materials for gold embroidery115
Stitches used in gold embroidery119
Patterns for gold embroidery120
TAPESTRY AND LINEN EMBROIDERY127
Marking out the embroidery ground128
Tapestry stitches129
Tapestry patterns138
Stitches for linen embroidery143
Patterns for linen embroidery152
KNITTING171
Position of the hands172
Casting on173
Stitches178
Stocking knitting182
Scalloped edge183
Heels184
Toes189
Mending knitting190
Piqué patterns195
Patent knitting201
Turkish stitch201
Knitting patterns203
CROCHET WORK221
Position of the hands223
Stitches223
Method for copying tapestry patterns in crochet238
Crochet with soutache or lacet239
Crochet square, hexagon and star240
Tunisian crochet241
Hairpin crochet243
Patterns for hairpin crochet245
Crochet lace patterns249
Crochet counterpanes284
Crochet stars300
Crochet collar304
Crochet chair-back316
TATTING325
Position of the hands326
Knots328
Patterns of scallops and medallions331
MACRAMÉ343
Materials and implements344
Formation of the knots345
Macramé shuttles360
Macramé patterns361
NETTING395
Implements and materials395
Stitches397
Patterns produced in netting400
Mounting the netting on the frame410
Stars and wheels414
Grounds and lace423
Embroidery on netting434
Netted insertion438
IRISH LACE439
Materials439
Tacking down the braids440
Bars of different kinds442
Insertion stitches445
Lace stitches450
Needle-made picots467
Irish lace patterns468
LACES OF DIFFERENT KINDS473
Pillow lace and the implements for its manufacture474
«Stitches» or passings481
Patterns or grounds481
Armenian lace503
Laces in knotted stitch505
Reticella-lace508
Venetian-lace510
Brussels-lace515
MISCELLANEOUS FANCY WORK517
Knotted cord518
Balls for trimmings519
Tambour work521
Smyrna stitch523
Malta stitch525
Triangular Turkish stitch526
Turkish embroidery530
Appliqué-work531
Morocco embroidery535
Spanish embroidery536
Different kinds of linen stitches540
Pattern for linen stitches541
Pattern for Roumanian stitch544
Pattern for Piqué embroidery546
Embroideries with Soutache546
Chinese subject551
PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS553
Tracing and drawing the designs553
The preparation of the stuffs and the subdivision of the patterns557
To transpose and repeat patterns by means of looking glasses559
To alter the proportions of a pattern by dividing the ground into squares560
To prepare the paste for appliqué work564
To stiffen new needlework565
To wash ordinary lace565
To wash real lace566
To stiffen lace566
To iron lace566
To pin out lace567
To wash coloured cottons and work done with the same568
Materials