West Kingdom Needleworkers Guild

 

Needlework "How to's" on the Web


The stitches below are of just a few of those which were used during the period covered by the SCA. The stitches are organized according to the categories on the Guild Programs page. The sites listed are some that we've been able to find that show how do these stitches. Most of these sites do not have historic examples, just directions on how to do stitches.Some sites, besides directions on how to do the stitches, have examples that are not SCA period. Some, however, have wonderful historic treasures.

The West Kingdom Needleworkers Guild is only suggesting these sites for your information. We do not endorse these sites, nor is the Guild in any way responsible for the content of these pages. It is better whenever possible to consult books on historic needlework and a Guild Mentor.

We haven't exhausted the search for web sites with useful information, this is just a start...

If you know of any additional websites with information on SCA-period stitches, please let Felicia know.


One very useful online stitch site is Johanna's Needlework Stitches
http://www.designwest.com/Johanna/webstitch/needle_stitch.html
It has nearly all the stitches we use in one place, including drawn thread. Check this site first before you visit any of the others.

Another useful site is:
http://homepage.mac.com/cfitzgerald/Needle/
It has animated gifs of some stitches.
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1. Counted Thread
(a.) cross stitch
    long arm cross stitch
    equal armed cross stitch (modern)
    upright cross stitch
    double-sided cross stitch
(b.) Assisi work
(c.) counted-thread blackwork
(there is also uncounted blackwork)
    Double-running stitch, Holbein stitch
    back stitch
(d.) pattern darning

4. Metal Thread
(a.) surface couching
(b.) or nué
(c.) bullion work
(d.) underside couching

2. Canvas Work ("needlepoint")
(a.) tent stitch
    horizontal tent stitch, continental stitch
    diagonal tent stitch
    basketweave stitch
    petit point tent stitch
(b.) cross stitch on canvas
(c.) brick stitch
(d.) upright (Gobelin) stitch
(e.) satin stitch

5. Surface Embroidery
(a.) basic stitchery
    stem stitch
    couching stitch
    backstich
    satin stitch
    seed stitch / seeding
(b.) laid work
(c.) beadwork
(d.) split stitch (including shading)
(e.) raised work

3. Whitework
(a.) drawn thread
(b.) pulled thread
(c.) cutwork
(d.) Buratto work
(e.) Reticella or Italian cutwork

6. Stitched Fabric
(a.) quilting
(b.) trapunto
(c.) smocking
(d.) appliqué


The Web Minister is in the process of checking and updating the links below. Some have been updated, but others are not fully functional. Please bear with us as we work on this for you. Thank you for your patience.


1. Counted Thread

(a.) cross stitch

Cross Stitches and variations at
http://www.designwest.com/Johanna/webstitch/stitch04.html
and
http://www.designwest.com/Johanna/webstitch/stitch05.html

long arm cross stitch
http://inaminuteago.com/stitchdict/stitch/cross-longarm.html
and
http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/98-09.htm

equal armed cross stitch (modern)
http://inaminuteago.com/stitchdict/stitch/cross.html
and
http://www.anniesattic.com/cross-stitch/content.html?content_id=95
has a QuickTime movie of basic cross stitch on aida cloth

upright cross stitch
http://www.classicstitches.com/know_how/know_how.cfm?how_to_id=182&how_to_cat=Stitch%20Glossary&let=U

double-sided cross stitch
http://www.classicstitches.com/know_how/know_how.cfm?how_to_id=75&how_to_cat=Stitch%20Glossary&let=D

(b.) Assisi work

http://www.crossstitch.about.com/hobbies/crossstitch/cs/styleassisi/
And don't miss the page on Assisi Work in our own Articles section.

(c.) counted-thread blackwork

Not all blackwork is black. Not all blackwork is reversible. Not all blackwork uses counted thread stitches.

Reversible counted thread blackwork utilizes double running stitch, also called called Holbein stitch.
http://www.designwest.com/Johanna/webstitch/stitch02.html#doubrun1

Non-reversible counted thread blackwork utilizes double running stitch and back stitch.
http://www.designwest.com/Johanna/webstitch/stitch02.html#back1

Non-reversible non-counted thread blackwork utilizes basics stitches such as back stitch, stem stitch, split stitch, and other surface stiches.

Blackwork Embroidery Archives - Besides information on stitches, this site includes patterns created by the site owner, not necessarily period in style.
http://www.blackworkarchives.com/

Blackwork Gallery - has links to art and objects
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Crete/1581/bwgallery/

(d.) pattern darning

Know of a web site with directions on how to do period style pattern darning?
Please, send it to me, Felicia.
Back to the TOP

2. Canvas Work ("needlepoint")

(a.) tent stitch

horizontal tent stitch, continental stitch
http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/98-02.htm
and
http://www.designwest.com/Johanna/webstitch/stitch06.html#tent2

diagonal tent stitch
http://www.classicstitches.com/know_how/know_how.cfm?how_to_id=67&how_to_cat=Stitch%20Glossary&let=D

basketweave stitch
http://www.classicstitches.com/know_how/know_how.cfm?how_to_id=34&how_to_cat=Stitch%20Glossary&let=B
http://www.designwest.com/Johanna/webstitch/stitch06.html#tent1
http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/98-03.htm

petit point tent stitch
http://www.classicstitches.com/know_how/know_how.cfm?how_to_id=171&how_to_cat=Stitch%20Glossary&let=T

(b.) cross stitch on canvas

Within the time period covered by the SCA, cross stitch on canvas with wool was primarily long arm cross stitch.
http://www.classicstitches.com/know_how/know_how.cfm?how_to_id=115&how_to_cat=Stitch%20Glossary&let=L

(c.) brick stitch

http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/98-05.htm

(d.) upright (Gobelin) stitch

http://www.classicstitches.com/know_how/know_how.cfm?how_to_id=98&how_to_cat=Stitch%20Glossary&let=G
http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/98-04.htm

(e.) satin stitch

http://www.classicstitches.com/know_how/know_how.cfm?how_to_id=155&how_to_cat=Stitch%20Glossary&let=S

Back to the TOP

3. Whitework

Terminology used in books and by embroidery teachers is not always completely consistent. The terms "drawn thread" and "pulled thread" are often used to mean both types of work. In one, the embroidery stitches pull or draw threads together, leaving small holes in the fabric. In the other, specific groups of threads are snipped and actually pulled or withdrawn from the fabric and stitches are worked over the loose threads remaining in the weave.

(a.) drawn thread

(b.) pulled thread

http://www.designwest.com/Johanna/webstitch/stitch08.html

(c.) cutwork

(d.) Buratto work

(e.) Reticella or Italian cutwork

Back to the TOP

4. Metal Thread

Beginner's Guide to Goldwork
http://www.classicstitches.com/know_how/know_how.cfm?how_to_id=198&how_to_cat=Techniques

(a.) surface couching

http://www.kipar.org/baroque-costumes/costumes_embroidery.html

(b.) or nué

(c.) bullion work

http://www.kipar.org/baroque-costumes/costumes_embroidery.html

(d.) underside couching

http://www.kipar.org/baroque-costumes/costumes_embroidery.html
Back to the TOP

5. Surface Embroidery

For basics, refer to the Johanna site - it will be hard to go wrong with the stitches there. We also have a number of pages in our Articles section with more information on historically used stitches.

(a.) basic embroidery

stem stitch
http://inaminuteago.com/stitchdict/stitch/stem.html

couching stitch
http://inaminuteago.com/stitchdict/stitch/couching.html

backstich
http://inaminuteago.com/stitchdict/stitch/Back-stitch.html
and
http://www.classicstitches.com/know_how/know_how.cfm?how_to_id=28&how_to_cat=Stitch%20Glossary&let=B

satin stitch
http://www.classicstitches.com/know_how/know_how.cfm?how_to_id=156&how_to_cat=Stitch%20Glossary&let=S

seed stitch / seeding
http://www.classicstitches.com/know_how/know_how.cfm?how_to_id=157&how_to_cat=Stitch%20Glossary&let=S

(b.) laid work

Perhaps the best known example of historic embroidery using this stitch is the Bayeaux tapestry.

http://www.regia.org/embroid.htm

(c.) beadwork

http://www.medievalbeads.com/

(d.) split stitch (including shading)

http://inaminuteago.com/stitchdict/stitch/split.html

(e.) raised work

Back to the TOP

6. Stitched Fabric

I have not been able to find sites about period styles of these techniques. The sites listed below are purely for technique. Consult a Guild Mentor for information about period examples of these techniques.

(a.) quilting

(b.) trapunto

http://merryrose.atlantia.sca.org/archive/1997-01jan/msg00154.html
a message in the Atlantia arts and sciences arts list archive about period Trapunto.

http://www.museum.state.il.us/muslink/art/htmls/ks_tech_t.html
While this shows 19th c. quilt style, it includes photos of the technique in process.

(c.) smocking

(d.) appliqué

Back to the TOP

We haven't exhausted the search for web sites with useful information, this is just a start...

If you know of any additional websites with information on period stitches,
please let me know. Send e-mail to purplewebmin@comcast.net


Information presented here is for general information only.
For information on actual historical examples and historical techniques, please consult a Guild Mentor.
And watch for classes at West Kingdom events.


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This is not an official web site of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.
and nothing on this web site represents any offical policy of the SCA.

The official SCA web site is at http://www.sca.org

The website of Kingdom of the West of the SCA is at http://www.westkingdom.org


Guild Webminister: Felicia Margerye Amondesham
Please notify me of any problems or errors.

This page most recently updated on September 19 2006