The history and diversity of needlework tools from ancient Egypt through the 20th century are identified. Nearly 500 photographs beautifully illustrate needles, bodkins, pin cushions, thimbles, bobbins, clamps, hooks, shuttles, measuring tapes, waxers, winders, and more. A special section features representative tools from private collections. Three appendices, values, and an index are included.
*History of needlework tools and associated embroideries from the seventeenth century to the Edwardian era*Answers the questions that collectors really ask*Of interest to collectors, dealers, auction houses, as well as embroidery and needlework enthusiastsThis is a comprehensive study of needlework tools from the seventeenth century to the Edwardian era. The format of the book groups these tools into periods and relates them to the style of embroidery fashionable at that time. The book starts with the heavy silver needlework tools of the seventeenth century which are related to the raised and padded embroidery of that era now known as stumpwork. The more delicate embroidery tools of the Georgian era are grouped together with fine embroideries. Illustrations of Georgian sewing boxes and sewing sets show the wonderful varieties available to collectors. Palais Royal sewing boxes and their superb mother-of-pearl contents, considered by collectors to be the ultimate sewing box, are illustrated as are the glorious carved ivory needlework tools that originated from the Dieppe region of France. The Victorian lady chose her sewing box, work table or sewing set from the tremendous range available of which illustrated examples include tortoiseshell, papier mbchi, Tunbridge ware and Mauchline ware. This was also the era of the sewing circle and handmade needlework tools were created in abundant numbers, many surviving for today's collectors' market.
Featuring exquisite examples from museums and private collections, including many rare items, this treasure trove explains and illustrates the history and beauty of American sewing tools. Exhaustively researched, it is the first publication to focus on the topic and shares the story of the American industries, innovations, and uses related to hand sewing and embroidery tools. Insights spring from well-documented primary sources like eighteenth-century American newspaper advertisements or a twentieth-century thimble patent. The book offers historical background, detailed descriptions, and photographs of needles and threads, bodkins and awls, chatelaines, hoops, lucets, and more. The strong link between women's history and needlework tools is captured as well. Many one-of-a-kind handmade examples represent American subcultures and regional tastes. With more than 650 color photographs, this is an invaluable resource for historians, scholars, collectors, and embroidery and sewing enthusiasts.
Marrying two exceptionally popular topics—needlework and women's history—this book provides an authoritative yet entertaining discussion of the diversity and importance of needlework in Victorian women's lives. Victorian Needlework explores these ubiquitous pastimes—their practice and their meaning in women's lives. Covering the period from 1837–1901, the book looks specifically at the crafts themselves examining quilting, embroidery, crochet, knitting, and more. It discusses required skills and the techniques women used as well as the technological innovations that influenced needlework during this period of rapid industrialization. This book is unique in its comprehensive treatment of the topic ranging across class, time, and technique. Readers will learn what needlework meant to "ladies," for whom it was a hobby reflecting refinement and femininity, and discover what such skills could mean as a "suitable" way for a woman to make a living, often through grueling labor. Such insights are illustrated throughout with examples from women's periodicals, needlework guides, pattern books, and personal memoirs that bring the period to life for the modern reader.
Brimming with intricate drawings, color photos, and excerpts from 18th-century writings, this enthralling book is your passport to a bygone age. Fashion and textiles lecturer Gail Marsh offers insights into the lives of 18th-century embroiderers; their equipment, stitches, and threads; and techniques such as working with metal thread and spangles, silk embroidery, tambour, and the forgotten arts of Hollie Point and knotting. A must-have for historical costume creators, collectors, and needlework enthusiasts.
“It’s a big jump from needlework to homicide, but Wait combines a plausible plot with the same rockbound coastal atmosphere.” —Kirkus Reviews When a priceless antique is stolen, murder unravels the peaceful seaside town of Haven Harbor, Maine . . . Angie Curtis and her fellow Mainely Needlepointers know how to enjoy their holidays. But nothing grabs their attention like tying up loose threads. So when Mary Clough drops in on the group’s Fourth of July supper with a question about antique needlepoint she’s discovered in her family Colonial-era home, Angie and her ravelers are happy to look into the matter. Their best guess is that the mystery piece may have been stitched by Mary, Queen of Scots, famous not just for losing her head, but also for her needlepointing. If they’re right, the piece would be extremely valuable. For safekeeping, Angie turns the piece over to her family lawyer, who places it in her office safe. But when the lawyer is found dead with the safe open and ransacked, the real mystery begins . . . Praise for the Mainely Needlepoint mysteries “Offers a wonderful sense of place and characters right from the very beginning. Highly recommended.” —Suspense Magazine “A cozy debut that hits all the sweet spots: small town, family ties, and a crew of intriguing personalities.” —Library Journal “Deep atmosphere, secrets from the past and a mystery interview with sharp plotting and well-developed, sympathetic characters create another winner in the second of the Mainly Needlepoint Mysteries.” —RT Book Reviews
