Stitching Idyllic

Stitching by Ann Bernard

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Spring Flowers
  • Summer Flowers
  • About Ann

Archives for January 2014

January 18, 2014 by Ann Bernard

Berlin Wool Work

The course of research does not always flow smoothly in the intended direction but often leads one to other destinations. But as all endeavours, including embroidery, are influenced by other factors, then one needs to take notice of the other players in the field. One major influence was Leek Embroidery. Another one is Berlin Wool Work.

Not surprisingly Berlin Wool Work originated in Germany. It was enormously popular in the first half of the 19th century. Worked on a coarse canvas using a thick wool yarn, it was stitched in tent stitch or cross stitch. Other stitches were used but these predominated. The finished pieces became firescreens, cushions, upholstery, small rugs and pictures and some panels would be joined together to make carpets.

The Industrial Revolution created a larger middle class where more ladies had the leisure time for stitching. The creation of more wealth and more stitchers fostered a demand for canvas, wool and patterns. Public taste for increasing decoration in the home was part of the Victorian lifestyle.

This chart (1825-1850) was hand coloured and is in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The charts were initially coloured by hand until the printing industry developed the ability to print increasingly large and detailed charts and, eventually, they appeared in colour. The records state that the designers and printers circulated 14,000 different patterns. Although charts were plentiful, there were also hand painted canvases available. The designs were floral but also included animals, pets, children, religious subjects and reproductions of famous paintings.

Another achievement that helped fuel this boom was the invention of analine dyes. This process created wools of vivid colours hitherto unavailable though the range of shades was limited. The wool came from Merino sheep in Saxony, was spun in Gotha, both of which are in southern Germany, and dyed in Berlin. The production of Berlin wools was discontinued in the 1930s. Charts, wools and canvas were exported to Britain and the USA where they also became very popular. In fact, Berlin Wool Work became a craze and basically ousted all other sorts of embroidery in England. Berlin Wool Work was a major interest that kept the stitchers of the western world busy and excluded other styles of embroidery.

As well as tent stitch and/or cross stitch, beading and tufting work could be included. Tufting goes by many names including Turkey Stitch. The loops formed by the stitch are cut and the resulting pile is trimmed to contours and shapes. The sample above contains tent stitch, beading and tufting.

While searching for images to illustrate this style of embroidery I found that many charts still exist but the actual stitched pieces are harder to find. Also, many have become faded and discoloured and are not as visually appealing as are the charts.

Enjoy a post from the past

  • Trestles or Easels Specifications
    Trestles or Easels can be made at home if you have the tools. They are an effective support for large …

Further information on this subject can be found in books with titles such as Berlin Wool Work and Victorian Canvas Work.

It would appear that this style of embroidery has had a lasting effect on the designs and stitches many enjoy today. I am sure we can all think of examples of types of embroidery influenced by Berlin Wool Work.

ShareTweetGoogle +PinterestPocketMail

Search the web site

stay up to date. Subscribe to our newsletter!

Name

Email


Connect with us socially

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed

Hand Stitch Recognizable Spring Flowers Ebook

Stitching Spring Flowers

Hand Stitch Recognizable Summer Flowers

Stitching Summer Flowers

Recent Posts

  • How to stitch Snowdrops. Quick and Easy!
  • Inspirations, All Stitched Up! from Australia
  • Newsletter Märchenhaftes Sticken – Jessica Grimm
  • Cotton Quartet 1: Preliminaries & First Stitches
  • Hand and Lock. London Craft Week. May 9 -15 2022

Recent Comments

  • Rosemary Norman on How to stitch Snowdrops. Quick and Easy!
  • Ann Bernard on September 20, 1066 The Battle of Fulford Gate
  • Mrs M Moverley on September 20, 1066 The Battle of Fulford Gate
  • Kathleen (Kate) Simeri on Stitches Sampler from The Royal School of Needlework
  • Ann Bernard on The Changi Quilts

Archives

  • February 2023
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • April 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • November 2015
  • June 2015
  • March 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • May 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • November 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012

Categories

  • Royal School Of Needlework
  • Stitching Colleagues
  • Stitching Equipment
  • Stitching History
  • Stitching Materials
  • Stitching Techniques
  • Stitching Tutorials
  • Uncategorized

Tag Cloud

Acid Damage And Mounting Canada 150 Chain Stitch Coral Stitch Couched Thread Crewel Designs Cross Stitch East India Company embroidery Jacobean Period Stitching Mary Corbet Masonite Medici Wool Queen Mary RSN Student Shading In Stitching Stem Stitch stitching Water Damage Stitching Worsted Wool Thread

Pretty Chic Theme By: Pretty Darn Cute Design