October, 2002
Needlework
is fascinating . . .
It is very difficult to tire of the craft of
needlework if one really pays attention. It simply fascinates both
our inherent intellectual I-want-to-learn curiosity and tantalizes our artistic
ooooOOooOOOoo-just-look-at-this nature. Dedicated
stitchers seldom tire of the intricate, myriad ways to stitch a tiny
sliver of a thread.
Stitchery
can
be as complicated or as simple as the creator desires. The
uninitiated call it sewing, or needlepoint or embroidery. Oh, they with simple, ignorant little minds! Needlework
is so much more, and not for the impatient or unskilled!
I
like to think of needlework as a class or category which can take many
different forms -- drawn thread, cross stitch, needlepoint, fabric
arts, quilting, knitting, sewing, embroidery, crochet -- just to name a
few of the more popular areas of needlework.
Needlework
began as a necessity hundreds of years ago as people marked household
linens, known as plain work or made utilitarian household items and
clothing. It was also a leisure activity for those who could claim
leisure hours in their day, bestowing future generations with treasures
of fancy work.
Stitchery
in the Twenty-first Century created by hand is almost always considered a hobby.
However it is also very much an art and a personal
expression. There is even a competitive arena for those who love
contests, shows, and perfection!
Today's
handiwork can also be found on household items. However we relinquish most of
the wear-and-tear everyday needlework to items produced by mechanical
techniques. And voila! -- they can be just as much a hobby and an art
as hand work. What a joy to be able to live in a day and
age where we can take advantage of all types of techniques to produce
our beloved craft of needlework.
Needlework
is also a business, or industry. Patterns must be designed; fabric
and threads must be manufactured; designs and instructions must be
written, published and distributed. Someone must teach each skill,
some want to learn. Someone must wholesale, someone
must retail -- and the consumer is an absolute! Don't forget
those who love antique linens and needlework. Needlework collecting, of
linens, samplers, charts, needlework magazines and all sorts of
needlework tools have grown in popularity.
The
category of needlework I am most passionate about is called
counted-thread or cross stitch. Having participated in
online needlework communities for the past several years as a host,
designer and member, one of the things I enjoy most is creating cross
stitch charts and uploading them as complimentary charts for other
needle workers to enjoy. I also enjoy
collecting needlework, linens and stitchery tools. Writing about
needlework has consumed many a leisure hour. As
this site grows, I will be sharing many more needlework features with
you.
. . . Needlework
is simply fascinating -- if one pays attention!
Enjoy!
.
