I’ll admit that I don’t know all that a lot in regards to the historical past of cross sew. I do know it’s an offshoot of embroidery, which has been round for hundreds of years, and that cross stitches had been used together with all types of different embroidery stitches lengthy earlier than it turned a method used independently to cowl material with a design.
The historical past of cross sew intersects with different embroidery actions that may embrace cross sew, too, like whitework, blackwork and redwork. Lord Libidan provides us the rundown of the historical past in a publish on his website, tailored from an article written for XStitch journal.
Whitework was labored with white thread on white linen, and generally concerned chopping away the material and leaving the embroidery with no background. That form of embroidery got here to be solely allowed for nobles and royalty in England, so a brand new model was wanted for the lots.
Black sew was a method Catherine of Aragon introduced from Spain to England, and whereas it wasn’t completely labored in cross stitches, it’s a step within the evolution to trendy cross sew that we all know of at this time.
And as crimson thread turned accessible from Turkey, redwork embroidery (and combos of crimson and black in the identical mission) turned actually standard, and motifs had been bought in order that stitchers may create from standardized patterns.
From there, stitching started to be taught to youngsters, and cross sew, as we all know it began to return into being.
It’s an fascinating historical past and I’ve simply scratched the floor right here, so in case you love historical past or simply understanding the place the crafts you take pleasure in got here from, Lord Libidan’s publish is certainly price a learn.
I additionally discuss slightly bit about blackwork and whitework in my publish all about tips on how to embroider over on Our Day by day Craft if you wish to be taught a bit extra!
[Photo: The Steady Thread]