Needlework as art (1886) (14802022203)

Identifier: needleworkasart00alfo (find matches)
Title: Needlework as art
Year: 1886 (1880s)
Authors: Alford, Marianne Margaret Compton Cust, Viscountess, 1817-1888
Subjects: Embroidery Needlework
Publisher: London, S. Low, Marston, Searle, and Rivington
Contributing Library: Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute Library



Text Appearing Before Image:
cts are pro-duced ; but the texture of flowers is not to be imitated, asis that of the plumage of birds. Satin stitch is a morerestricted form of plumage stitch ; and stem is anothervariety of these flat stitches, very useful in its place. Itherefore have assigned the name of plumage stitch tothat hitherto called embroidery or long and shortstitches ; and I give the term plumage work to includeall the flat stitches. Practically, it is allowed that these flat stitches,especially the plumage stitch, give most scope for freedomin needlework, as they are laid on at once, and accordingto the inspiration of the worker, and may cover the outlineand efface it. The stitches are not counted, and havemore of the nature of touch than any others, as theirlength, thickness, and closeness may be varied at will.The artists design thus admits of interpretation accordingto the taste and feeling of the needlewoman. Part 6.Opus Consutum (or cut work).This is Patchwork, or Applique (inlaid and on- PI- 45-
Text Appearing After Image:
Japanese Opus Plu Page 214. Stitches. 215 laid ). Vasari calls it Di commesso, and says thatBotticelli invented it for the use of Church banners, asbeing much more effective than any other style ofwork, or even than painting, as the outlines remainedfirm (non si stinguano), and were not affected by theweather (as in painted cloths) and were visible on bothsides of the banner. Botticelli drew with his own handthe baldachino of Or San Michele, and the embroiderieson a frieze carried in procession by the monks of SantaMaria Novella; he died 1515. Perhaps he may haverevived the art of application in his own day. There are, however, much earlier examples of patchwork,of which the first and most remarkable is the Egyptianfuneral tent of Queen Isi-em-Kebs, mother-in-law of Shi-shak, who besieged and took Jerusalem three or four yearsafter the death of Solomon, B.C. 9S0. It may be describedas a mosaic, or patchwork of prodigious size, made ofthousands of pieces of gazelles skins, dyed, and ne