The Victorian Bird Chart

Eilene Cross plans to publish several Victorian charts.  Here's a free snippet if you like a Berlin woolwork-type bird, possibly a parrot.  This would make a lovely ornament and would be a great stash buster.  Thanks, Eilene!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10225153788414772&set=gm.3813132358763894

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 21, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Historical Charts from the Victorian Period

SJ Designs has re-issued an updated and enlarged version of their Berlin woolwork chart books and…
https://sj-designs.net/product/victorian-berlinwork-pattern-plates/?fbclid=IwAR3pgTO7vVXsmu15iMC75cdRLCMYBO5w9ivPE0eK7VUuTn_2UZZ3KbYBObc

…has a new chart booklet out on 1870 Victorian "oriental" rug designs.
https://sj-designs.net/product/victorian-charted-tapestry-patterns-from-1870/?fbclid=IwAR0It-ZZJEAhAW3IRIopxJ7n07xsMv6Qw8A9MMUppE6YA3OBqSk6Gwm_fjc

If you like historic interiors and love charted canvaswork, you'll want to check these out.  (Also available via Amazon, just follow the links.)

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 27, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Mistress of Embroidery

Susan Johnson of SJ Designs has a new booklet out. It's called The Mistress of Embroidery: Patterns for Embroidery, Counted Cross Stitch and Needlepoint.  It reproduces charts and outlines first printed in 1819 by Augustin Legrand which can be done in needlepoint, cross stitch or embroidery.  If you are interested in patterns available just after Jane Austin's death in the first year of Queen Victoria's reign, this is right up your alley.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1790217040?fbclid=IwAR1RFgWMFoNTtwof0RBp6u08YYZJm8QKzXeIC0Zr7fewQfUYjrWwVm0QOqc

This is one of a series of historical embroidery books by Susan.  Most are 19th Century Berlin woolwork type charts but not all.  Have fun browsing and learning more needlework history.
https://sj-designs.net/shop/sj-designs-books/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 24, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The History of Needlepoint

Nordic Needle has posted a quick history of needlepoint in their latest newsletter.
https://sendy.nordicneedle.com/sendy/w/Ms763rEz7ISjJcVJerZDpxCw/cnYPGf1UY29qb763KiNfi6zg/r763Ho5ALtxTS8M892mxp6julA#.WPyOGi1b7xE.facebook

I can't say that I agree with everything they say—Medieval stitchers were creating wall hangings, rugs and a sort of table cover, not upholstery as we think of it today plus I think basketweave wears much better than continental—but it's still interesting, with lots of great photographs.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 23, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Antique Pattern Library

As usual Mary Corbet's blog has some great information. This week she mentioned the Antique Pattern Library, which has digitized all sorts of needlework instructions into free PDF files for download.  I took a look again and realized they have now added Berlin woolwork charts.  Here's the main page, just in case you want to see everything available.  Click on Berlin Work to see the designs available.  I counted 108 designs, ranging from slippers to pillows to scenes to individual motifs.  They range in date from roughly 1850 to around 1910, when the dates can be established.
http://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org

This is a fabulous resource for the historical needleworker.

By the way, if you don't follow Mary Corbet, you should.  Here's her site.
http://www.needlenthread.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 11, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Peeking Over Jessica's Shoulder UPDATED

Jessica shows us how she executes a commission for needlepoint suspenders ("braces") for a German customer who wants traditional ones using Berlin woolwork patterns made with the breast piece.
http://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/another-bavarian-hosentrager

UPDATE:  Jessica is almost ready to roll the embroidery up on her scroll frame.
http://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/embroidery-plans-with-a-herbal-theme

UPDATE #2:
And the embroidery is done!  Now for the finishing.
http://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/a-very-happy-costumer

These aren't the first pair Jessica has made for customers.  Click on "Bavarian braces" in the right hand column to see more.  Here is someone wearing a set, although they are not Jessica's, just a random photo I found online to illustrate how they differ from the suspenders that a banker might wear in Boston.
http://www.flagshipfancydress.co.uk/germanbavarian-man-costume-2212-p.asp

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 14, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ladies Work Society Auction

Dominic Winter Auctioneers is having a sale of the archives of the Ladies Work Society (and some other textile-related items) on October 6.  There is a lovely map chest, a few tools, and several Berlin woodwork charts that I thought you might like to see on this description of the sale.
https://hands-across-the-sea-samplers.com/ladies-work-society-sale/ 


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 1, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Dating a Berlin Woolwork Sampler

Hands Across the Sea Samplers has a short but interesting article on dating Berlin Woolwork samplers on their blog.  Unfortunately, Berlin woodwork that covers the entire surface can't be dated by looking at the underlying canvas unless you can see the back side, but it's still an interesting article about Berlin woodwork from a sampler collector's perspective.  Using the common motifs that they outlined will help you at least put an estimate of the date your find was worked, assuming it is a British piece or perhaps American.
https://hands-across-the-sea-samplers.com/dating-berlin-wool-work/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 13, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Source for Berlin Woolwork Charts?

Thanks to Hands Across the Sea, I realized the Internet Archive has posted issues of Peterson's Magazine online.  One of them has a Berlin woodwork chart!  If you are a fan of 19th Century needlepoint, it might be worth a browse to see what other charts you can find.  Just follow the link here and explore....
https://hands-across-the-sea-samplers.com/its-not-cosmopolitan/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 24, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Berlin Wool Work? Or Ecclesiastical Embroidery?

Hands Across the Sea is an English blogger who often talks about historical embroidery and needlepoint.  I think she's wrong that Berlin wool work is the same thing as ecclesiastical embroidery, particularly church needlepoint cushions and kneelers, but I'm willing to let her talk for the sake of the lovely pictures.
https://hands-across-the-sea-samplers.com/1298-2/

You will enjoy the video about making Surrey Knots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LajCBqqCSg&feature=youtu.be

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 13, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

An Antique "Tapisserie" Presentation Box From France

Thanks to the Embroiderers Guild of Canada, I discovered this antique needlepoint box from France. Dated to the late 1800s, it was intended as a gift for a new stitcher and includes wool skeins, a frame, patterns, spools of thread and tools.  The only item that is lacking is a pair of scissors.   I am not sure what the board below the frame is for, unless it is a table mount base for the frame itself.  There are two turned pegs on either side of the frame, so probably the frame slots into the pegs and the pegs fit into the base to create a table stand.  Other views of this treasure are available by clicking on the thumbnail photos to the right of the large picture or by running your cursor up the row of photographs.
http://www.rubylane.com/item/1125715-MPP1001/Marvellous-Antique-French-x92Tapisseriex92-Presentation

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 29, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Antique Needlepoint at the Musuem

Susan (you know her as Plays with Needles) have been to the "Diligant Needle" exhibit at Winterthur and came home with some great photographs of pieces that caught her fancy.  I am most interested at the second piece she admired, which is what with think of as Victorian needlepoint but with a difference.  The flowers and at least one butterfly are over stitched with filament silk in what we now call needle painting, giving emphasis and life to select areas of the design.  
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2014/10/three-faves-from-diligent-needle-exhibit.html

Actually, based on this overstitching I'd guess this is the work of a British stitcher as it appears to be heavily influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement to my eyes.  Of course well traveled Americans would have see William Morris' work but somehow I think this is a domestic piece done by one of Morris' admirers in England.

There are several great ideas, like the chain and stem stitches that create the "eye" on the butterfly's wing and the stem and straight stitches that give detail to a leaf.  This indeed is one of the stitching ancestors of today's embellished needlepoint style!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 28, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Hannah's Sampler (Berlin Woolwork)

The Embroiderers Association of Canada has a section of their website dedicated to historic samplers from their collection. This includes Hannah's Sampler, which is a wool Berlin woodwork piece. Click on the small photo to see a large photo and read about Hannah Renshaw Gaskill's stitching.
http://www.eac.ca/heritagesmplrs.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 15, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

History of Scotland's Wemyss School of Needlework

Mary Corbet has been researching the Wemyss School of Needlework in Fife a little. I think you'll enjoy the photos, particularly of the strands of wool ready for use and the Berlin woodwork type charts on the walls. 
http://www.needlenthread.com/2013/12/the-wemyss-school-of-needlework-scotland.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Designs

Kimberly has finished her Mother's Rocker bicornui, a riff upon her Mother's Rocker chart. I think it is lovely! As I understand it, this will be taught in a class Kimberly is doing in Florida. It might be available as a painted canvas later. I'm not sure about that. 
http://akimberlydesign.blogspot.com/2013/09/mothers-rocker-biscornu.html

Janet Granger has just finished a new set of designs for her miniature doll house kits.  These are all based on Berlin woolwork.  There are rugs, chair seats, cushions, and more--all suitable for a Victorian doll house.  If you are interested, read carefully to see whether Appleton wool or floss is in the kit you like, and if the design is stitched on 18 count needlepoint canvas or 32 count silk gauze.
http://janetgranger.wordpress.com/2013/09/19/a-new-collection-of-berlin-woolwork-style-dolls-house-needlepoint-kits-has-just-been-launched/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Berlin Woolwork Charts

If you are a fan of the pattern and colors of late 19th Century Victorian needlepoint, you will love what Susan posted on her blog today.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2012/01/painted-patterns.html

If you are charmed, go here.
http://www.roland-designs.com/berlinwoolwork.htm

Or read about this research project.  Be warned, there is a lot to see and enjoy!
http://berlinwoolwork.tumblr.com/home


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

More Needlepoint Resources

As I wrote my article yesterday on the weird and wonderful stitching things you can find on the Internet, I left out a lot of links that were more educational in nature.  I saved them for today's posting.  Want to talk a stroll down Memory Lane?  Then look at this site which quotes an article about Berlin woolwork straight from Beeton's Book of Needlework, published in 1870.  There are lots of illustrated stitches, too.
http://www.needlepointstitching.com/needlepointinstructions.html

This online magazine is not really about needlepoint, but the stumpwork is spectacular and you may also enjoy turning the pages and seeing contemporary needle artists and their work.
http://www.needlemagazine.com/

Did you notice that the last issue of Needlepoint Now magazine referred to online videos that illustrate their articles?  Now if you don't learn how to do a stitch well from a diagram, you can see it being done on the Internet.
http://www.needlepointnow.com/video_instruction.html

TNNA, the trade group that puts on the shows our shop owners go to, has started putting photos of new items on their website.  Here is the Needlepoint area, called World of Needlepoint.  You can see slide shows of the latest things arranged by date.  The current slide show is from January 2010 but earlier shows from 2009 have a link at the bottom of this page.
http://www.worldofneedlepoint.com/

Finally, I have a new DVD from Claire Halden at Old World Designs titled "All About Hair, Beards & Fur."  Claire has already done a beginner's DVD and a stitch guide on DVD.  I haven't seen any of these, so I can't really review them but it's a new resource for stitchers who like stitching people and animals realistically.
http://www.oldworlddesigns.com/classprojects.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow