Second to none in their admiration of fine stitchery? the Victorians adorned their homes and wardrobes with lavish displays of needlework and similar handicrafts. Most nineteenth-century women engaged in some form of sewing whether for pleasure? economy? or both and in the absence of a tutor? they turned to handbooks such as this rare and authentic guide to the rich and varied intricacies of needlecraft. Scores of diagrams and photos offer clear illustrations of the step-by-step directions for mastering an array of techniques and patterns. Ranging from a practical lesson in hemstitching to creating doilies with Hungarian embroidery? this vintage volume offers a treasury of what the Victorians termed "fancywork": decorative stitching such as Bulgarian? Catalan? Hungarian? and Baro embroidery; netting; Berlin wool-work; Bohemian? Carrickmacross? Innishmacsaint? and reticella lace: and a bevy of cousins to the burgeoning family of needlepoint. Aspiring or accomplished? needleworkers at every level of expertise will find projects here to love knotting fringes for a handsome finished edge? trimming collars and cuffs with dainty punched work? making a lace collar in Brussels braid? and numerous other crafts? all abounding in old-fashioned charm."Paperback | 128 pages154 x 230 x 12mm | 240.4g40849Dover Publications Inc.New York? United StatesEnglish