Introduction to Embroidery - TEX03A03

(Created by Herrin Auriana Ravenstein)

Level of Content: Beginner. Students can have familiarity with basic textile terminology, embroidery basics, basic garment construction dealing with embroidery.

Estimated Length of Class: 1 - 2 hours, depending on amount of students, student participation and modern world information.

Course Description: This class will familiarize the students with the fibers, fabrics and embroidery techniques commonly used during the medieval period. The class will also provide students with information regarding modern world availability of fibers, as well as appropriate modern substitutions for medieval fibers and fabrics.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this class, students should be able to:

Identify textiles commonly used in the medieval period;

Recognize various thread types common during the medieval period;

Recognize various embroidery techniques used during the medieval period;

Understand what fibers/fabrics/dyes are available in the modern world;

Know how to make appropriate modern substitutions for medieval fibers, fabrics, dyes and techniques.

Suggested Teaching Resources:

Arnold, Janet. Queen Elizabeth’s Wardrobe Unlocked. England: W.S. Maney & Son LTD., 1988.

Beck, Thomasina. The Embroider’s Flowers. Germany: David and Charles, 1997.

Bender Jørgensen, Lise. Forhistoriske textiler I Skandinavien (Prehistoric Scandinavian Textiles). Copenhagen: Det Kongelige nordiske Oldskriftselskab, 1986.

Clarke,Dorothy. Exploring Elizabethan Embroidery. New Zeland: Georgeson Publishing

Limited, 1997.

Carlson, Jennifer L. Sewing Stitches Used inMedieval Clothing, 1999,2003

http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/cloth/stitches.htm

Gedds, Elisabeth and Moyra McNeil. Blackwork Embroidery. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1976.

Geijer, Agnes. Birka III, Die Textilfunde aus den Gräber. Birka: Untersuchungen und Studien II.

Uppsala: Kungl. 1938.

Good, Irene. 1995. “On the question of silk in pre-Han Eurasia” Antiquity Vol. 69, Number 266, December 1995, pp. 959-968

Gostlow, Mary. Blackwork. New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1976.

Hägg, Inga. Die Textilfunde aus dem Hafen von Haithabu. Schleswig, Germany: Karl Wachholtz Verlag Neumunster, 1984.

Hald, Margrethe. Ancient Danish Textiles From Bogs and Burials. Denmark: Fyens Stiftsbogtrykkeri, 1980.

Hill, John E. 2004. The Western Regions according to the Hou Hanshu. Draft annotated English translation.

Hill, John E. 2004. The Peoples of the West from the Weilue 魏略 by Yu Huan 魚豢: A Third Century Chinese Account Composed between 239 and 265 CE. Draft annotated English translation. Appendix E.

Kooler, Donna. Encyclopedia of Needlework. Little Rock, Arkansas: A Leisure Arts Publication, 2000.

Kuhn, Dieter. 1995. “Silk Weaving in Ancient China: From Geometric Figures to Patterns of Pictorial Likeness.” Science 12 (1995): pp. 77-114.

Liu, Xinru. 1996. Silk and Religion: An Exploration of Material Life and the Thought of People, AD 600-1200. Oxford University Press.

Nichols, Marion. Encyclopedia of Embroidery Stitches, Including Crewel, New York, NY: Dover Publications, Inc. 1974.

Preist-Dorman, Carolyn, Viking Embroidery Stitches and Motifs, - 1993,1994,1997.

All photos of Mammen Cloak courtesy of : Ward, Christie (Mistress Gunnvor silfraharr) – http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/embroid.htm

Sung, Ying-Hsing. 1637. Chinese Technology in the Seventeenth Century - T'ien-kung K'ai-wu. Translated and annotated by E-tu Zen Sun and Shiou-chuan Sun. Pennsylvania State University Press, 1966. Reprint: Dover, 1997. Chap. 2. Clothing materials.