OLD NEEDLECRAFT REVIVED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18943, 14 February 1925, Page 6 (Supplement)

OLD NEEDLECRAFT REVIVED

At 0110 time England was noted for exquisite embroideries, which were in great demand on the Continent. .After a relapse in favour it is gratifying to note the revival of beautiful stitchery which has taken place since (ho war, says an Eng'i.ih exchange. At the recent exhibition of eraftwork done by the Women's Institutes the embroidery was not only the largest section, but examples sent from all ever the country were of a remarkably high standard.

Many of the institutes arc affiliated with the Guild of Embroideries, of which the vice-president is Mrs. Percy Newberry, herself a wonderful cmbroidercss, to whom was deputed the task of repairing the pall in Tutankhamen's tomb. _ Hie whole object of the guild is io raise the standard of work in the country by holding exhibitions and by other means. One is to he held in 1926, at which no work will be accepted that has been shown in London before 1925, as there is a tendency for fine pieces to travel on from one exhibition to another.

The guild send out portfolios to the members containing beautiful designs, some by modern artists, others copies of historic" pieces in the museums, and they have a lending library of books on embroidery. They also give admirable lectures on embroidery by experts, soma of which are held at the Victoria ami Albert, Museum, and are free to the general public. An industry among crippled _ gjvls started by a member of the guild is responsible for some of the most beautiful embroidery being produced in England. It is done" in white linen thread on linen of varying thicknesses, usually handwoven/and all sorts of lovely old stitches are used. Many of the workers have been taught by means of correspondence. Among the many aids to the woman who wishes to raise the standard of her own embroidery there is a book published' in four " volumes giving coloured plates of practically all the old stitches, and in the Victoria and Albert, Museum are specimens of work by one of the bestknown modern exponents of the art. showing how a great many of these are done. Some exports who consider embroidery is an art place design and colour first, and knowledge of technique last, in importance, ana in theory the embroideress should certainly do her own designs. If, however, she has no creative gift, instead of slavishly copying an old piece she should get, a Rood design and int'jrpret it in her own wav.