A Stitch in Time

Needlepoint

Almost as soon as man began to make clothing, he began to decorate the garments. The oldest piece of embroidery was found in an Egyptian tomb, but artwork showing embroidery goes back into the caves of earlier man. 

Embroidered dress on handmade doll

For years, embroidery was done with hand-dyed yarns stitched in simple designs. As time progressed, embroidery became more elaborate, and different types developed - crewel, cross-stitch, needlepoint, candlewicking, etc. By the Middle Ages, women of high social standing were expected to be skilled at needlework. The Bayeux Tapestry is a well-known example of a large piece of work depicting the victory of William the Conqueror and dates from about 1100. Churches were often adorned with embroidered pieces. When the steel needle was

Crewel

developed in the 1500's, England became the center for it's production, and needlework became very popular. Affluent families began to hire embroiderers for their estates, but some preferred to do the artwork themselves. Famous embroiderers include Queen Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots, Charles I, and Charles II. Of course, the skill of embroidery crossed the Atlantic Ocean with the American colonists.

Crewell

I've done many different crafts over the years and loved them all, but embroidery holds a special place in my heart. I started embroidering when I was five years old. I was sick at the time, and my mother wanted to keep me in bed. We didn't have a television then, so she ironed an embroidery transfer design of a small Scottie dog onto a white square. I still have that piece, but I've done hundreds of projects since. It is a fascinating art with so many variations that it's never become boring.

Cross-stitched pillow

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