Introduction to English embroidery
English embroidery from the early Middle Ages to the 19th century.
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Samplers, stitches & techniques
Many stitches and techniques were originally used in embroidery samplers to create almost limitless effects, yet from the 18th century onwards, more and more reliance has b…
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History of samplers: 14th & 15th century
A history of embroidery samplers in the 14th and 15th century. Samplers began as a practical tool of the embroiderer and over time became a formulaic or occasionally more i…
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History of samplers: 16th century
A history of embroidery samplers from the 16th century. By this time in England samplers had a particular identity – before the introduction and growing availability of pri…
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History of samplers: 17th century
A history of embroidery samplers from the 17th century. By about 1630, a characteristic shape and size of sampler was becoming recognisable, with the ground cut from a loom…
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History of samplers: 18th century
A history of embroidery samplers from the 18th century. Samplers began as a practical tool of the embroiderer and over time became a formulaic or occasionally more individu…
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History of samplers: 19th century
A history of embroidery samplers from the 19th century. Samplers began as a practical tool of the embroiderer and over time became a formulaic or occasionally more individu…
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Gothic embroidery
During the middle ages embroidery was a popular way of decorating luxury textiles. The rich and powerful medieval Church owned huge amounts of embroidered textiles, often d…
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Sampler
This embroidery, a confession by a young English woman, is unique in the Museum’s collection in its austerity and poignancy. We describe it as a sampler but the laboriousne…
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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, conv…
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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 uni…
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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 wasto …
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Fukusa
This Fukusa was made in the second half of the 19th century and was part of a Japanese gift cover and tradition.
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Designs for Embroidered Fashion: Lady Middleton's Pattern
Most of these designs were bequeathed to the Museum as a group in 1973. Nothing is known of their origin and provenance, but they appear to have come from the archive of an…
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Embroidery in the Archive of Art & Design
The V&A's Archive of Art and Design holds the working papers of individual designers, as well as the records of companies and associations involved in all aspects of applie…
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Interview with Alice Kettle, embroiderer
Alice Kettle has established a unique area of practice in stitch, consistently and on an unparalleled scale. She is currently Research Associate at Manchester Metropolitan …
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The Embroidery from Stoke Edith House
The writer and gardener Anna Pavord discusses the embroidery from Stoke Edith House
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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. Fo…
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A gift in your will
You may not have thought of including a gift to a museum in your will, but the V&A is a charity and legacies form an important source of funding for our work. It is not just the great collectors and the wealthy who leave legacies to the V&A. Legacies of all sizes, large and small, make a real difference to what we can do and your support can help ensure that future generations enjoy the V&A as much as you have.
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Floral Embroidery Muslin Scarf
Inspired by the historic textiles found in the V&A's collection, particularly Indian muslins. Bright floral embroidery stitched onto a neutral cre…
Buy nowEvent - Courtly Style: Tudor and Stuart Dress
Sat 01 June 2013 10:00
STUDY DAY: Explore the many exquisite materials, styles and accessories associated with Tudor and Stuart dress in a day organised to coincide with the V&A's Royal Treasures: Tudors, Stuarts and the Tsars and the Royal Collection's In Fine Style: Tudor and Stuart Dress.
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