The 18th century was a period of great social and cultural change in the UK, and these changes were reflected in the world of embroidery. The growing middle class began to take an interest in the arts, and embroidery became a fashionable hobby for women of all social classes. This period saw the rise of the embroidery school, where young women were taught the craft as part of their education.
During this time, the designs used in embroidery became more varied, with a greater emphasis on naturalism and symmetry. Floral designs remained popular, but there was also a growing interest in pastoral scenes, classical motifs, and Chinoiserie, reflecting the broader artistic trends of the time. The development of printed pattern books made embroidery designs more widely accessible, allowing embroiderers to replicate fashionable patterns at home.
The Georgian period (1714-1830) also saw the popularity of tambour embroidery. This technique originated in the Middle East and was introduced to Europe in the 18th century. Tambour embroidery is done using a small hook, similar to a crochet hook, which is used to create a chain stitch on the fabric. This technique was faster than traditional needlework and allowed for the creation of fine, delicate patterns, often used on muslin and other lightweight fabrics.
Redwork, similar to blackwork but using red thread, also gained popularity during this period. Redwork was often used in simpler designs, such as motifs of animals, flowers, or everyday objects, and became particularly popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Silk shading, sometimes called “painting with a needle,” involves using threads of different colours to create subtle gradations of colour, mimicking the effects of a painted image. This technique was particularly prized for its ability to create realistic representations of flowers, fruit, and other natural objects.
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