The stitches below are of just a few of those which were used during the period covered by the SCA. The West Kingdom Needleworkers Guild is only suggesting these sites for your information. We do not endorse these sites, nor is the Guild in any way responsible for the content of these pages. It is better whenever possible to consult books on historic needlework and a Guild Mentor.
Canvas Work
We haven’t exhausted the search for web sites with useful information, this is just a start…
General Resources
Elizabethan Canvas Embroidery
http://www.geocities.com/souriete/ElizaCanvasEmbr.html
a discussion of canvaswork during the period; no photos
A Brief Look at Canvas Work
By THL Anne of Armonye, OE
http://www.geocities.com/armonye@sbcglobal.net/canvas.html
article looks good, has photos
We haven’t exhausted the search for web sites with useful information, this is just a start…
Canvas Work — tent stitch
How-To Stitch Sources
Multiple Stitches
http://www.needlepoint.org/Stitch.php
horizontal tent stitch, continental stitch
http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/98-02.htm
http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/98-02.htm
diagonal tent stitch
http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/98-03.php
basketweave stitch
http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/98-03.htm
Information on Historical Techniques
Historic Needlework Resources
http://medieval.webcon.net.au/technique_stitches.html
drawing of 2 different ways to do the stitch, discusses which method was used for making what type of items
Late 16th / Early 17th Century Embroidery “Slips”
Elizabethan and Stuart Embroidery
by Meg Andrews
http://www.victoriana.com/shops/andrews/slips.htm
A brief essay by Meg Andrews on this type of embroidery, with several detailed color photographs.
Actual Historical Textiles and Patterns
http://www.vandaimages.com/results.asp?cat1=Oxburgh+Hangings&X8=17-25
Oxburgh Hanging, by Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury. England, late 16th century
closeups of several items from the hanging
British Library – Database of Bookbindings (Davis31)
http://www.bl.uk/catalogues/bookbindings/LargeImage.aspx?RecordId=020-000003184&ImageId=ImageId=41197&Copyright=BL
a book cover from 16th Century England
Marie Stuart Society
http://www.marie-stuart.co.uk/embroidery.htm
photos of several pieces from Mary, Queen of Scots Marian Hanging
Historically Inspired Patterns and Pieces
Clare’s Historical Embroidery Pages
http://www.insanehobby.150m.com/clare/embroider.html
Examples worked by the author, also a handout & bibliography of sources; includes tips & tricks for petite point
A Book of Medieval, Renaissance, and Heraldic Patterns for Needlework
Caryl de Trecesson (Carol Hanson)
http://www.dragonbear.com/dp.html
charts of author’s creation; some are her own interpretation of a calligraphic alphabet or drawn design; others are patterns charted from the photographs of an actual embroidery piece
A large ‘slip’ appliqued to velvet
http://sca.livingpast.com/loon.html
A panel done in the style of the Oxburgh Hanging attributed to Mary Queen of Scots (and friends).
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Canvas Work –cross stitch on canvas
How-To Stitch Sources
long arm cross stitch.
http://www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com/free-assisi-pattern.html
http://www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com/free-assisi-pattern.html
Information on Historical Techniques
Know of a web site with information on period style cross-stitch on canvas?
Please, send it to Jocelyn of Rowenwood.
Please, send it to Jocelyn of Rowenwood.
Actual Historical Textiles and Patterns
Historically Inspired Patterns and Pieces
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Canvas work — brick stitch
How-To Stitch Sources
Information on Historical Techniques
A Stitch Out of Time
http://wymarc.com/asoot/german/stitch_article/stitchArticle.php
Richard Wymarc’s research of 14th and 15th Century German embroidery
Actual Historical Textiles and Patterns
The Göss Vestments
http://medieval.webcon.net.au/extant_goss_vestments.html
A set of vestments from 13th Century Germany; much of it is worked in brick stitch; the link to the Rubens Art Server has good closeups.
http://www.bildindex.de/bilder/MI11651c07a.jpg
a 13th Century German reliquary box
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ho/07/euwc/ho_69.106.htm
German Altar Frontal, late 14th century
http://www.bildindex.de/bilder/MI01603a07a.jpg
German purse, 14th Century
http://www.bildindex.de/bilder/MI00772d05a.jpg
German Altar Hanging with Female Figures, 14th Century
Historically Inspired Patterns and Pieces
A Stitch Out of Time
http://wymarc.com/asoot/german/stitch_article/stitchArticle.php
Richard Wymarc’s patterns & scans of 14th and 15th Century German embroidery
A 14th – 15th century Embroidered Cushion from Westphalia (Germany)
by Joyce Miller
http://www.doctorbeer.com/joyce/emb/westcush/westcush.htm
photos of the cushion, description, & drawing of brick stitch
A 14th – 15th century Embroidered Box from Westphalia (Germany)
by Joyce Miller
http://www.doctorbeer.com/joyce/emb/westbox/westbox.htm
photos of the box, description, & drawing of brick stitch
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Canvas work — upright (Gobelin) stitch
How-To Stitch Sources
Netstitch – Counted Cross Stitch Designs
American Needlepoint Guild
http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/98-04.php
Information on Historical Techniques
The Needles Excellency
An Historically/Medieval/Elizabethan Focused Needlework/Embroidery Blog
http://www.laren.blogspot.com/2006_03_01_laren_archive.html
Jane Stockton of Lochac talks about Gobelin stitch used as background for sweetbags (but no photos)
An Historically/Medieval/Elizabethan Focused Needlework/Embroidery Blog
http://www.laren.blogspot.com/2006_03_01_laren_archive.html
Jane Stockton of Lochac talks about Gobelin stitch used as background for sweetbags (but no photos)
Actual Historical Textiles and Patterns
Know of a web site with photos or other information on period style Gobelin stitch?
Please, please let us know.
Please, please let us know.
Historically Inspired Patterns and Pieces
Know of a web site with patterns of period style Gobelin stitch?
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Canvas work –satin stitch
How-To Stitch Sources
Information on Historical Techniques
Whitework
by Aldith Angharad St. George
http://wkneedle.bayrose.org/Articles/Whitework.html
Talks about using counted satin stitch to fill in figures
WhiteWork Technique
http://www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com/whitework-embroidery.html
Actual Historical Textiles and Patterns
Samplings: Antique Samplers & Silk Embroideries
Martha Atkinson antique sampler, England, 1662
http://mfinkelanddaughter.com/pastsales/atkinson-martha.html
a little bit out of period, but worth a look
Martha Atkinson antique sampler, England, 1662
http://mfinkelanddaughter.com/pastsales/atkinson-martha.html
a little bit out of period, but worth a look
Historically Inspired Patterns and Pieces
Counted Satin Stitch Bag
Mathilde’s Medieval and Renaissance Embroidery Page
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mathilde/embroidery/mygall/candlebag.htm
Short discussion of pattern & method of making the bag. She describes it as counted satin stitch, but her bibliographies are from brick stitch methods.
Giuliana Buonpadre’s Embroidery site – book section
http://www.filofilo.it/eng/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=29
Vol. 2. Counted thread work
Collection of 45 designs in counted satin stitch worked with antique techniques and modern variations. — click on link to see example of pattern & worked sample
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