The drive to embellish, adorn, and decorate cloth beyond a functional need is deeply human. Needlework—ancient and modern—helps us express our creativity, cultural identities, and even spiritual beliefs. Protective motifs might be stitched into a child’s clothing; intricate bobbin lace might be added to a gown, indicating wealth and status; and knitted gloves might be embroidered with colorful designs to display skill while offering warmth and cheer. Whether effusive or subtle, needlework embellishments are endlessly captivating.
Access to materials, such as ribbons and rickrack, porcupine quills, and dyed silk threads, have often driven needleworkers to explore new techniques or turn to traditions of the past with new interest. Previously woven motifs might be reinterpreted in embroidery, and previously embroidered motifs might be mimicked with rickrack and buttons. Global textiles are brimming with examples of reinterpretation and creative expression. We dedicate the Summer 2022 issue of PieceWork to the world of needlework embellishment.
Man's shirt, circa 1860. Crow. Materials include tanned skin, factory-woven cloth, porcupine quill, glass beads, horsehair, wool yarn, and ermine. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Proposals due: August 9, 2021
We are looking for:
- Feature articles—Tell us more about the history of needlework—stories, profiles, and biographies.
- Historical and historically inspired projects—instructions using bobbin lace, tatting, embroidery, knitting, crochet, or other needlework techniques, all made by hand.
- How-to articles—tell us how a historical needlework technique is done.
Have an idea that doesn’t fit our theme? Send that to us, too! We may be able to use it in an upcoming issue.
We are also always looking for content for our website. If you have an idea for a shorter piece, about 300 to 500 words, please submit your proposal to us.
Online Submissions Form PieceWork Summer 2022
PieceWork Contributor's Guidelines
PieceWork Photo Guidelines
Questions? Contact us at [email protected].
Submissions due: August 9, 2021
We will notify you of our decision in early September 2021.
Articles and projects due: October 26, 2021
Do you want to be added to the PieceWork Call for Submissions email list? Sign up here.
Bobbin and needle-lace collar, seventeenth century. British or Flemish. (30.135.141a) Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
White knitted gloves with colorful embroidery. Telemark, Norway. (NF.1895-1177AB) Courtesy of the Norsk Folkemuseum, CC BY_SA
About the Images
White knitted gloves, Telemark, Norway. (NF.1895-1177AB) Learn more about this object.
Man's Shirt, Crow. Learn more about this object.
Bobbin and needle-lace collar, seventeenth century. Learn more about this object.
Miao baby carrier. Learn more about this object.