Embroidery Pattern
1800-1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The tendency to simplify is visible in many designs made as patterns, such as this one. Simplicity is a characteristic which allows for the pattern to be followed in another medium. The pattern had to be worked out in pencil, pen and ink on paper first, where mistakes could easily be corrected before the design was worked in the less adaptable craft of embroidery. The pattern could then be copied by the embroiderer onto the material that was to be embroidered.
Materials & Making
The drawing is on tracing paper because the pattern had to be flexible enough to be stitched into position. There are numerous pinholes in the tracing paper. The pinholes are concentrated around the circumference of the circular border, with a few in the pattern itself. The pinholes are evidence that the pattern was used. They are likely to be pinholes made by a needle. The pattern was probably stitched, using tacking stitches, to the under-surface of a thin, transparent material, such as muslin. The stitches would hold the tracing paper in position while keeping it flexible. The pattern could then be traced by painting it onto the surface of the material ready to be embroidered.
Social Class
It was a sign of social status that a middle- or upper-class woman should be seen to have nothing to do. It was acceptable for such women to use patterns in preparation for embroidery.
The tendency to simplify is visible in many designs made as patterns, such as this one. Simplicity is a characteristic which allows for the pattern to be followed in another medium. The pattern had to be worked out in pencil, pen and ink on paper first, where mistakes could easily be corrected before the design was worked in the less adaptable craft of embroidery. The pattern could then be copied by the embroiderer onto the material that was to be embroidered.
Materials & Making
The drawing is on tracing paper because the pattern had to be flexible enough to be stitched into position. There are numerous pinholes in the tracing paper. The pinholes are concentrated around the circumference of the circular border, with a few in the pattern itself. The pinholes are evidence that the pattern was used. They are likely to be pinholes made by a needle. The pattern was probably stitched, using tacking stitches, to the under-surface of a thin, transparent material, such as muslin. The stitches would hold the tracing paper in position while keeping it flexible. The pattern could then be traced by painting it onto the surface of the material ready to be embroidered.
Social Class
It was a sign of social status that a middle- or upper-class woman should be seen to have nothing to do. It was acceptable for such women to use patterns in preparation for embroidery.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Pen and ink and pencil on tracing paper |
| Brief description | Anonymous Embroidery Pattern First half of the nineteenth century |
| Physical description | Pen and ink and pencil drawing on tracing paper |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | British Galleries:
NEEDLEWORKING SKILLS Ladies in polite society were expected to be proficient in a wide range of needleworking skills. The graceful rhythm of techniques such as knotting or netting was thought to show off the elegance of a lady's hands. Embroidery, knitting and crochet are still current today. Knotting produced a decorative thread, with rows of little knots, that was sewn onto fabric. Fine net, made with thread from a decorative shuttle, was often further embroidered.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Made in Britain |
| Summary | Object Type The tendency to simplify is visible in many designs made as patterns, such as this one. Simplicity is a characteristic which allows for the pattern to be followed in another medium. The pattern had to be worked out in pencil, pen and ink on paper first, where mistakes could easily be corrected before the design was worked in the less adaptable craft of embroidery. The pattern could then be copied by the embroiderer onto the material that was to be embroidered. Materials & Making The drawing is on tracing paper because the pattern had to be flexible enough to be stitched into position. There are numerous pinholes in the tracing paper. The pinholes are concentrated around the circumference of the circular border, with a few in the pattern itself. The pinholes are evidence that the pattern was used. They are likely to be pinholes made by a needle. The pattern was probably stitched, using tacking stitches, to the under-surface of a thin, transparent material, such as muslin. The stitches would hold the tracing paper in position while keeping it flexible. The pattern could then be traced by painting it onto the surface of the material ready to be embroidered. Social Class It was a sign of social status that a middle- or upper-class woman should be seen to have nothing to do. It was acceptable for such women to use patterns in preparation for embroidery. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | D.2166-1885 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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