It's not my purpose to write an article comparing 18th century lifestyles to our 21st century daily lives but to make a general comment on an interesting book I picked up two months ago about 18th century needkework techniques.........this is one of the most fascinating, interesting needlework books I've seen in awhile!
Title: 18th Century Embroidery Techniques Author: Gail Marsh Pub: Guild of Master Craftsman Publications.....Sterling 2006 ISBN: 1-86108-476-Price: $24.95US
The book features wonderfully detailed drawings & closeup pics of 18th needlework techniques, materials and how the embroideries were applied or used.......many of these embroideries were used on interesting garments of the time.......the book excels at showing the details of the garments, the placement & techniques of what was embroidered and so on.
Basically, the book is an "encyclopedia" of everything you've ever wanted to know about 18th century stitching techniques, materials, applications of the stitches and designs.....more interesting, there's info showing two techniques no longer being stitched anymore......the18th century stitching techniques of knotting & hollie point.
I'm so glad there are still people who devote themselves to researching such an esoteric subject as 18th century stitchery techniques & history of......all that careful scholarly research gives ordinary stitchers like myself answers to the what, how & the whys, etc., of past stitchers & their work, giving me glimpses into the creation of beautiful embroideries many of them stitched under less than ideal living conditions of the 18th century.
To know that many of these embroideries were most likely done under candlelight is mind boggling when we see how fine and detailed the stitched results are! All those gorgeous florals with their delicate tendrils & blossoms, the use of real gold & silver metallic threads, the use of glittery metal paillettes or spangles.......I was very impressed to learn more of how these past stitchers managed to stitch along with info on the materials they used.
Amazing how much "trouble" it was to acquire threads & needles and other supplies, etc., back then, as well as the great expense to buy fine stitching fabrics, silk flosses and so on. Then there were the beautiful needlework boxes, fine furniture worktables and other fine stitching items to store the precious materials......
It's fairly easy for most of us to buy needlework materials nowadays.....we have so much more to choose from but overall less patience and skill to create similar, finely detailed needleworks. But, one thing in our "defense", most of us also live more stressful lives with many demands on our time compared to the 18th century lady who often had servants to do the more mundane daily chores as well as less demands on their time.......there were a lot less temptations for one's time in the 18th century compared to the present.
Bottomline, it's comforting to know needlework continues to be done in the 21st century with many of us stitching away on a variety projects for the pleasure of stitching something lovely to give or to keep for one's own pleasure.
Today, there's are more choices to be made, less restrictions on what and how to stitch as well as an emphasis on individual creativity and as always, continue to pass on what we've learned and any innovations we've come up with to the next generation of stitchers!