Shire album
3 primary works
Book 30
Samplers have a long history in Britain, dating from the sixteenth century. They were originally a collection of patterns gathered together for easy reference to be used in embroidery and needlepoint lace. Later they developed into a schoolgirl's exercise and today they are more often used to record stitches than patterns. This book traces the history of samplers in Britain from the late sixteenth century onwards and includes examples of long, darning, map, school, stitch and plain sewing samplers as well as those associated with great events and private griefs and joys.
Book 57
Beadwork developed as a decorative craft in Europe in the middle ages. It was first used to enhance embroidery but in the seventeenth century, complete objects were made from beads, and soon every girl was expected to include it among her accomplishments. There was a decline in the popularity of beadwork during the eighteenth century but in the nineteenth century feminine crafts of all kinds assumed great importance and beadwork flourished. This book describes and illustrates the many different styles and types of work and the techniques that were employed - threading, stitching, bead crochet, bead knitting, loom beading, tambour beading and commercial beading. In all its forms, beadwork is a careful, skilful and often delicate art which is becoming increasingly appreciated.
Book 101