Beeton's Book of Needlework eBook

Mrs Beeton
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 314 pages of information about Beeton's Book of Needlework.

Beeton's Book of Needlework eBook

Mrs Beeton
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 314 pages of information about Beeton's Book of Needlework.

Here the name is inclosed in a medallion of overcast and back stitching, the lower part having a graceful wreath of leaves worked in satin stitch.  The letters which form the name are worked in raised and scalloped satin stitch and point de pois.

[Illustration:  413.  Rosa.]

414.—­Rosina.

Material:  Messrs. Walter Evans and Co.’s Embroidery Cotton No. 20.

The stars round this graceful initial letter are worked in raised satin stitch round an eyelet-hole, the leaves in graduated satin stitch, the stems overcast, the wreaths of flowers worked in satin stitch and open eyelet-holes, the stems and veinings in overcast, and the stars on the stems to correspond with those worked in the letter:  the rest of the letters in simple satin stitch rather thickly raised.

[Illustration:  414.—­Rosina.]

415.—­R.S.

Materials:  Black china silk; Messrs. Walter Evans and Co.’s Embroidery
Cotton No. 16.

These letters are worked in raised satin stitch with a design of point russe worked in black silk.

[Illustration:  415.—­R.S.]

416.—­S.E.B.

Material:  Messrs. Walter Evans and Co.’s Embroidery Cotton No. 16.

These letters are worked in graduated satin stitch, the centre star is worked in raised satin stitch, and the four surrounding it as eyelet-holes.

[Illustration:  416.—­S.E.B.]

417.—­L.E.P.

Material:  Messrs. Walter Evans and Co.’s Embroidery Cotton No. 18.

These initials are worked in plain satin stitch, and the elegant stars are worked in point russe worked round an eyelet-hole.

[Illustration:  417.—­L.E.P.]

418.—­Victoria.

Material:  Messrs. Walter Evans and Co.’s Embroidery Cotton No. 20.

This name is most elaborately worked in satin stitch, over-casting and eyelet-holes.  The initial letter is worked in satin stitch, and the stars in fine overcast round an eyelet-hole.

[Illustration:  418.—­Victoria.]

* * * * *

POINT LACE WORK.

Lace is of two kinds—­pillow lace, which is made upon a cushion or pillow, and point lace, which is made of stitches or points worked in patterns by hand, which are joined by various stitches forming a groundwork, also the result of the needle above.

Pillow lace is entirely worked on the pillow or cushion, the pattern and ground being produced at the same time.  Pillow lace is sometimes correctly called bone or bobbin lace, but it appears that the distinction has never been very nicely observed either by lace-workers or lace-traders, many sorts which are really pillow lace being called point, on account of some peculiarity in the stitch or pattern.

The requisites for producing lace in perfection are the dexterity and taste of the workers, and the goodness of the material.  To produce many beautiful fabrics a mechanical dexterity alone suffices, but in lace-making the worker must have some artistic talent, even when supplied with designs, for any one can perceive that deviations from the design are easily made, and that the slightest alteration by a worker wanting in taste will spoil the whole piece of workmanship.

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Beeton's Book of Needlework from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.