CHAPTER VII.
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FANCY NEEDLEWORK.
EXPLANATION OF PATTERNS.
The Beaufort Star.—This is a beautiful pattern, and will look well, as
a centre, for any moderately-sized piece of work. Begin on the width of
the canvas, and take twelve threads, reducing at every stitch, one
thread for six rows, and thus continue decreasing and increasing
alternately, to form squares like diamonds, to the end of the row. The
next row is performed in the same manner, only you work on the long way
of the canvas. Introduce gold or silver thread between where the
stitches join, and so finish.
Chess Pattern.—Work a square in cross stitch, with three stitches,
making three of a dark shade and six of white, working as many squares
as you require, and leaving spaces equal to those occupied by cross
stitch, which you must fill up with Irish stitch, working across the
canvas. You can employ any color that will harmonize well with the cross
stitch; and[72] to complete the pattern, you must work a single stitch
across each square, in Irish stitch.
Dice Pattern.—This is formed by working rows of eight stitches, in any
color you please. You must here have four shades, and work two stitches
in each shade. Commence a stitch, over ten threads, and drop one each
time, until you have taken eight stitches; the intermediate spaces are
for the ground, which must contrast with the pattern; and the
introduction of a little gold or silver thread, would be an improvement.
Double Diamond, in Long Stitch.—This pattern, when it is worked in two
colors strongly contrasted, and the diamonds composed of beads, is
exceedingly beautiful. The shades of scarlet and blue, on a white or
black ground, produce the most agreeable effect.
German Pattern.—There is a Gothic grandeur and sobriety about this
pattern which gives to it a noble and grave aspect. It is worked in
Irish stitch, six threads straight down the second row, falling about
four stitches below the first; the third, the same below the second; the
fourth and fifth the same number below the third; the next three the
same; and then six in the same proportion. You then increase, and so
render the arch uniform. The pattern then looks like the head of a
Gothic column reversed; and the centre should be so disposed as[73] to
produce the best effect: those for the first and last row must be of the
same tint; and the same rule applies to all the rest. A lady can, of
course, choose her own colors; but care must be had to blend the
alternate light and dark shades so as to produce a natural harmony.
Irish Diamond.—This is beautiful, and is very easy of execution.
Commence with two threads, and increase to fourteen, working across the
canvas, and increasing one thread each way; then decrease to two in the
same manner; and so proceed, until the row is completed. Begin the next
row two threads down the canvas, and place a gold or steel bead in the
centre of each diamond. Finish with a bordering of gold twist, or mother
of pearl.
Lace.—This is a new invention, and is somewhat difficult of execution.
The recognized material is a black Chantilly silk. It is mostly worked
from Berlin patterns, and may be done either in cross stitch, or in
straight stitch pattern: the edge is finished in cross stitch with wool.
You may imitate a pearl border, by taking two threads directly behind
the border. It is used for sofa pillows, &c., to which it forms a very
pretty termination indeed.
Heart Pattern.—This pattern looks well. Pass the wool over ten threads
in the centre, then make four additional stitches of ten threads,
dropping one each time from the top, and taking one up at the bottom;
then take the sixth stitch, dropping a thread[74] at the top as before, but
keeping the bottom even with the fifth stitch; your seventh stitch must
be in six threads, decreasing two both at the top and bottom; and your
last will be on two threads, worked in the same manner: then proceed to
form the other half of the pattern. The hearts may be worked in various
shades of the same color, and the space between them is to filled up
with a diamond, or with an ornament in gold twist, or pearl.
Princess Royal.—Work this in rows of stitches over four and two threads
alternately, leaving one thread between each stitch: begin the next row
two threads down, with a stitch over two threads, and proceed as before.
Work in two strongly contrasted shades, and fill in the vacancies with
gold or pearl beads.
Roman Pattern.—The material to be used, in working the pattern, is
purse twist; and the grounding may be done in gobelin or tent stitch.
The pattern is to be worked in three shades, of the same color; the
centre forming a diamond in the lightest shade, then the next, and
lastly the darkest to form a broad outline. This kind of work is done
quickly, and presents a rich appearance.
Russian Pattern.—This is worked in rows across the canvas, in stitches
of irregular lengths, and has a pleasing effect. Pass the first stitch
over sixteen threads, the second over twelve, the third over sixteen,
and so proceed to the seventh row, which is the centre. Pass the stitch
over eighteen threads, and proceed as before for six rows; leave a space
of four threads, and commence as at first. Form the second row in the
same manner, leaving four threads between the longest stitches in each
row: the rows may be[75] worked in any number of shades, taking care to
preserve uniformity, and the spaces must be filled in with a diamond,
worked in the same manner, but reduced in size, and in one color; or it
may be worked in gold thread, which would greatly relieve the monotonous
appearance of the pattern. It will be best to begin and finish each row
with a half diamond.
Victoria Pattern.—Pass the wool or silk for the centre stitch over six
threads, the next over five, and so proceed to the corner, which will be
on one thread; the other side must be done in a different shade, but the
same color, and the shades of each must be turned alternately the
opposite way. The corner stitch should be of some brilliant colored
silk, if not of gold thread: the top of one square will be the bottom of
another, and you work the three stitches between the corners in black or
dark wool. The squares must be filled in with long stitch, working from
corner to corner, across the canvas.
Wave Pattern.—These are extremely beautiful, when worked in four or
five shades. They are done in Irish stitch, and the rows must be worked
close together, the wool is passed over six threads, and the rows
dropped a few threads below each other, so as to form a wave. The
pattern may be varied almost infinitely; the following forms a beautiful
specimen: work six rows of any length you choose, dropping one stitch at
the top and adding one to the bottom of each row; then proceed upwards,
for six rows, and you will obtain a beautiful pointed wave, the seventh
row forming the centre; then work nine rows, of which the first, third,
fifth seventh, and ninth, must be level with the second row of the[76]
pointed wave; and the second, fourth, sixth, and eight, must be on a
level with the first and last rows, while the first, third, fifth,
seventh, and ninth, must drop two stitches, so as to produce an
irregular edge; then work a pointed wave, as before, and the pattern is
complete.
Windsor Pattern.—In working this pattern, you must count eight threads
down the canvas, and then increase one each way, until you have twelve,
so as to form a diamond of six sides. The second row must be begun with
twelve threads, so as to join the longest stitch in the former row. When
each row is finished, the intersectional diamonds must be filled in;
which may be done either in silk or gold thread, and has an extremely
neat appearance.
[77]
SUGGESTIONS AS TO PATTERNS.
For bottle-stand, or any small piece of work, star patterns are very
beautiful. The materials proper for working them, are silk and wool,
with gold or any other kind of beads, and gold thread or twist. For
foundations, you may use either velvet or silk canvas.
Small sprigs are pretty, for work that is not too large; chenille is
proper for the flowers, and the stalks and leaves look best in silk; a
few gold beads add to the effect.
For large pieces of work, medallion patterns are much used, and produce
a good impression on the eye; the outline is to be traced in brilliant
silk, and for the centre employ two shades of the same color, working
half in each shade; the medallion should be placed upon a white field,
and the whole grounded in a dark color, which harmonizes well with the
design of the pattern.
Bags may be worked in a variety of ways, to suit taste and convenience.
The border is often made to resemble black lace, and when properly
executed, looks extremely well. The parts filled up, should be worked in
black floss or black wool. Leaves may be worked with gold twist, or
beads may be employed. The grounding should be in fine twisted silk: any
color may be used. In other cases, white wool, white silk, silver and
glass beads, and several other materials are in requisition; so that
here is ample scope for classification and arrangement. A mourning bag[78]
looks well done to imitate lace, worked in black floss silk, and
ornamented with black glass and silver beads, disposed in a tasteful and
ornamental style. Sometimes a bag is worked as a shield of four squares;
in such a case, two squares should be worked in feather stitch, and the
others in any stitch that will form a pleasing contrast: the border
should be a simple, but elegant lace pattern.
For braces and bracelets, any small border pattern may be adopted. They
should be worked in two colors, highly contrasted, for bracelets: gold
twist round the edge is a great addition.
These suggestions in reference to patterns, might have been greatly
extended; but we wish every young lady to draw upon the resources of her
own mind, and to think for herself. To one, who is desirous to excel, we
have said enough; a little thought will enable her to apply the general
principles, here laid down, to any particular case; and, without the
employment of the thinking faculty, the most minute instructions, in
this or any other art, would fail in producing their intended effects.
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