TEXTILES COLLECTION FEATURES
Embroidery
These pages are about embroidery. In them you can study examples of embroidery from the V&A collection or create your own embroidery from patterns available to download. Be inspired by interviews with contemporary embroiderers and follow up your interest using our web links and blog list.
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Embroidery Items from the Collections
View a selection of embroidered items from the V&A collection. -
Introduction to English Embroidery
Although nuns and other amateur needlewomen produced embroidery from as early as the 8th or 9th century, practically all the surviving examples of Opus Anglicanum (Latin for 'English work') were worked by professional embroiderers, both men and women, in workshops generally run by men.
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Embroidery Pattern Books 1523-1700
The Word and Image Department of the V&A holds 60 original embroidery books including the only extant copy of Richard Shorleyker’s ‘Schole house for the needle’ of 1632. For modern embroiderers these little books still provide a source of inspiration, and for historians a fascinating insight into 16th century publishing and domestic history.
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Florence Caulfield and The Illustrated Needlework Book
Florence Caulfield was an embroiderer and a specialist in South African flora. The National Art Library holds a proof copy of her book 'The Illustrated Needlework Book; conventional and natural designs of South African wild flowers'.
More on Florence Caulfield and The Illustrated Needlework Book
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Francis Johnston and the Process of Design
Francis Johnston made a series of design sketches, from the intitial rough sketch in charcoal on detail paper to the final colour version, as seen below
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Needlework Development Scheme
The Needlework Development Scheme (NDS) was a collaborative project between art and design education and industry. Originally established in Scotland in 1934, its aim was to encourage embroidery and to raise the standard of design in Britain.
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Needlework Patterns, Home Craft & Women’s Magazines in the 1920s and 1930s
In the interwar period 1918-1939, magazine home craft helped the spread of handcraft and supported women in realising their ideas, values, experiences, and fantasies in unique ways.
More on Needlework Patterns, Home Craft & Women’s Magazines in the 1920s and 1930s
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Interviews with Embroiderers
A series of interviews with contemporary embroiderers.
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Designs & Illustrations by Florence Caulfield to Print & Use
Create your own embroidery with designs by Florence Caulfield, who was an embroiderer and a specialist in South African flora. The designs are taken from The Illustrated Needlework Book, which was due for publication in 1914.
More on Designs & Illustrations by Florence Caulfield to Print & Use
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More on Embroidery from the V&A Website
Links to pages elsewhere on the V&A website about embroidery.
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Embroidery in the Archives
The V&A's embroidery holdings range from the embroidery designs and pricked patterns of Morris & Co. Art Workers Ltd, to the embroidery designs of Francis Johnston, the photographs of haute couture garments from the House of Worth and printed embroidery patterns and booklets .
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Embroidery Blogs
Follow the work of other embroiderers in their blogs. Be inspired by their creations and join in by posting your own comments.
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Embroidery Links
Whether you are looking for free patterns to download, directories of embroidery stitches, online collections or information about historical embroidery and embroidery for reenactors, you will find something of interest in this list of links to embroidery websites.