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In the Victorian era, it is not entirely surprising that thick paper, or card, was attempted as a ground material for hand embroidery—an important skill for every Victorian lady.
Unlike quilts and other large textiles that are typically treated as important heirlooms, doilies are generally thought of as impractical “dust-collectors” made by fussy old women who had little to do with their time.
While lice aren't normally thought of as helpful, scientists have used lice to learn more about human history and, more specifically, the invention of clothing.
Deciphering the language of Estonian-lace knitting, Nancy Bush explains the subtle, and not so subtle, differences between "rebellious" and true Haapsalu shawls.
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Notre-Dame shines as an example of early Gothic structure with its massive flying buttresses that offset the weight of the tall walls.
Janice Wood created a sweet cross-stitch heart, which incorporates a traditional Quaker sampler motifs with an alphabet on one side of the heart and the date and recipient’s initials on the reverse.
The Scottish samplers in an exhibition at the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh are part of the Lesley B. Durst collection.
We included the story of Mary Elizabeth Greenwall Edie’s handmade knitted-lace sampler book in the May/June 2016 issue of PieceWork. We asked Frances H. Rautenbach to re-create some of Mary Elizabeth’s samples.
Because fabric deteriorates so easily, it doesn’t stand the test of time the way metal or stone artifacts might, so when archaeologists find even small bits of ancient fabric, it’s a big deal.
Beth Brown-Reinsel’s twined-knitted gloves, featured in the March/April 2018 issue of PieceWork, make a great first project. Below, Beth explains how the yarn used in twined knitting is different from most commercial yarns.
Enjoy a free purse in tatting and beads pattern from PieceWork’s Trimmings. This column offers a collection of patterns, charts, and instructions that have been gleaned from old magazines and books that are no longer generally available.
Why not add a dash of vintage flair to your holiday wrapping? Mary Polityka Bush shared festive ways to wrap gifts in the Nov/Dec 2007 issue of Piecework.
Knitting bags have been long overlooked as one of the patriotic icons of World War I (1914–1918).
