Crewel work is worked in fine " crewel 2 ply wool " on linen in its traditional form. It was popular in 17th century and earliest forms of English surface embroidery, which is also sometimes known as " Jacobean Embroidery ". Crewel work patterns are bold,stylized flowers, birds, animals, trees, insects which links back to Elizabethan era of working style.
Most of the design is worked with " laid work " across the pattern from one side to other with only small stitch on back of fabric and then these laid stitch are held with couching , later finishing is done with stem stitch across the pattern.
Most famous piece of Crewel work is " Bayeux Tapestry ", commemorate the battle of 1066 between Britons and Normans using only eight shades of wool on linen.
Above my work is done using cotton threads and not with wool. Many embroider say if a crewel work is not worked with wool, just say it as surface embroidery and not crewel work.
Crewel work uses most of surface embroidery stitches, but laid work and different forms of filling stitches like brick satin filling, honeycomb filling, trellis, battlement couching are majorly worked. Apart from these stitches, chain, stem, buttonhole, herringbone, satin, long and short, bullion, french knots.... are used to complete a pattern.
This being my first attempt, i personally enjoyed working it and simply loved this form because any shape can be worked with filling stitch in no time, time consumption is less compared to other form if we use filling stitches. And it gives bold effect.
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| Crewel / Jacobean work |
Most of the design is worked with " laid work " across the pattern from one side to other with only small stitch on back of fabric and then these laid stitch are held with couching , later finishing is done with stem stitch across the pattern.
Most famous piece of Crewel work is " Bayeux Tapestry ", commemorate the battle of 1066 between Britons and Normans using only eight shades of wool on linen.
 |
| Crewel / Jacobean work |
Above my work is done using cotton threads and not with wool. Many embroider say if a crewel work is not worked with wool, just say it as surface embroidery and not crewel work.
Crewel work uses most of surface embroidery stitches, but laid work and different forms of filling stitches like brick satin filling, honeycomb filling, trellis, battlement couching are majorly worked. Apart from these stitches, chain, stem, buttonhole, herringbone, satin, long and short, bullion, french knots.... are used to complete a pattern.
This being my first attempt, i personally enjoyed working it and simply loved this form because any shape can be worked with filling stitch in no time, time consumption is less compared to other form if we use filling stitches. And it gives bold effect.
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