Both use satin stitch on linen and on one the design was stamped (painted?)onto the cloth. I assume these were kits or patterns sold by thread companies or published/advertised in periodicals of the period.

For those of you have researched embroidery motifs, which magazines did you find the most useful for finding typical Arts & Crafts patterns? Modern Priscilla or other embroidery magazines, more generic women's magazines, shelter magazines? I will have to travel to find libraries with back issues, so it would be helpful to be able to focus my search on the likeliest sources. Thanks!

Welcome Needleworker,

Two manufacturers of kits that you might check out are The Royal Society, published by H. E. Verran Company Inc., New York and Brainerd & Armstrong Co., New London, Conn.

See the link above for some nice A&C example images from Brainerd & Armstrong.

The colors were sometimes stenciled onto the linen. This way the less experienced or less talented needleworkers could just outline the images in a simple stitch and have a nice piece.


Lauren

Thanks, Lauren. I checked out Dianne Ayres' book American Arts & Crafts Textiles (which I should have started with) and one of my pieces is almost identical to one of the photos showing Verran Co. designs. Based on another photo in her book, my other piece is Biedermeier-style needlework. I'm having a very difficult time finding any other info on the early 20th century revival of Biedermeier style.

Hi Needleworker, A great resource for you would be Ann Chavez at Inglenook Textiles. She has collected quite an impressive library of books and information on Arts and Crafts textiles, and curated a wonderful exhibition at the Pasadena Museum of history this time last year including her personal collection of textiles.

Jan

I have collected more than a dozen books on the history of embroidery into a group in our bookstore.

Arts & Crafts Textiles

Including one by the "mother of interior design: Candace Wheeler.

The Development of Embroidery in America

Link to info on the Pasadena exhibit: Pasadena Museum of History

Lauren