Embroidery
Perhaps because it is a most exacting art, far fewer women choose embroidery as a hobby today than in the past. Those who do, however, find it a diverting pastime, and they take great pride in their work.The beginner starts out with a needle and thread and a doily or tablecloth that has a simple design printed on it. You choose the stitch you are going to use and you're ready to go. As you progress, you will graduate to more elaborate designs and ultimately you will create your own.
There are many books on embroidery in the public libraries. The Woman's Day Book of American Needlework, written by Rose Wilder Lane and published by Simon and Schuster in 1963, is especially recommended.
Embroidery was probably first done in India, though the craft has flourished throughout the world. It was popular with the women in the American Colonies, who used floral designs of bright colors to decorate their otherwise drab living rooms.
Though the sampler is generally thought to be of American origin, these quaint pieces were first made in England. The sampler, seen so frequently in old New England homes, was usually made by young girls. Not essentially intended for decorative purposes, it was, rather, a demonstration of the maker's skill in needlework.
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October 13, 2008