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What
is EmbroideryFollowing recent articles in The World of Embroidery magazine and subsequent comments, perhaps it is now time to pose the question: what is embroidery? All dictionaries consulted (from 1885 to the present day) describe embroidery as 'the art of needlework'. This would now include the use of the sewing machine, but a soldering iron? Your own comments mentioned some of the dangers inherent in the use of chemicals, solvents and bleaches, toasters should be avoided and first aid kits carried at all times!
Is it time we went back to basics and the art of needlework?
Kay Ward
Belton-in-Rutland
Ed.'s comment: Point taken but the world moves on. Dictionaries of the last century defined aviation as relating to balloons and ships as having sails. Is it time for an extended definition or should we stay with the present one?
Definition
of EmbroideryI have followed with great interest the many views expressed about the meaning of embroidery. Long may the debate continue and maybe we can break down some of the barriers and stop 'lining up' on our chosen 'side'. Why does it seem so impossible to appreciate traditional techniques while understanding that time does not stand still?
Embroidery meaning 'only with a needle' presumably originated when this was the only way of embellishing textiles. Traditional embroiderers and textile designers pushed out the boundaries and imported ideas from wherever they could find them. I'm sure they would have loved to have had some of our opportunities. Equally, I am sure none of us would want to lose touch with time-honoured skills which form the basis of all our work.
Would anybody else like to line up in the middle ground with me?
Margaret Baker
Redhill, Surrey
...
and ...You asked readers for their definition of embroidery (The World of Embroidery, January 1999) and your correspondent quoted the dictionary definition as 'the art of needlework'.
Of course time moves on and many changes occur, not always for better. The modern sewing machine can save hours of sometimes tedious work and, though electrically powered, require the guidance of the human hand - unless you slip in a card and set the machine running. Of course skill is required to digitise the stitches for the card, but is it 'needlework' when you have done it? It is a skill and a craft but can it be called needlework?
I think we are in danger of missing out on the basics of embroidery as skill with a needle and thread and fabric and not, for example, wood and metal as I saw in one exhibition called 'Art of the Stitch'?
Not all of us can afford these expensive machines, nor have we all done City & Guilds or been to college or university. But, surely it is a pretty basic urge for the majority of women - and some men - to use a needle and thread in some way just as, fortunately for mankind, some people feel that they want to nurse or to teach.
I tried to persuade a friend to join the Guild but she said, 'Oh no, I haven't the qualifications'. Should we not join to learn?
By all means show us what can be done and has been achieved, but please do not neglect the way to get there.
When it came to restoring Windsor Castle, there was no problem in finding people who could still work with wood and stone with their hands, even though they used modern tools. Let us encourage those who want to use their hands to make use of all the wonderful materials available to us these days to create, not to burn and distress.
Doe Graham
Why
SeparationAnd when someone has defined 'embroidery', would they like to define 'art'?
But seriously, though, it is probably easy to define embroidery: something on the lines of 'decoration applied with the needle'. To say that nothing else can be added is to say that one can only work with single filament threads in self colour, because spinning and dyeing are other crafts and mustn't be mixed in.
What is described as the meat course includes vegetables and gravy, but the important part is the meat. In the same way, if the main part of a work of art is stitchery, it is embroidery, whatever other skills are used to enhance the effect.
Anne Dyer
Craven Arms, Shropshire
Embroidery DefinitionAren't we somewhat missing the point? The meaning of the word 'embroidery' is not open to interpretation. It is quite clearly defined in the dictionary as being 'to ornament with stitches'. The dictionary does not mention paper, wood, metal or bus tickets. A point worthy of notice is that the use of the word embroidery, used by various web sites would, if the law applied, contravene the trades description act. So let's get it right, if the work consists of stitchery it is embroidery, if it has anything else on the canvas it is mixed media. Wouldn't you agree it is time for the City and Guilds governing body, in their ivory towers, to come out and give their opinions on the subject, and for web sites to name themselves correctly?
Tony Miller
normannotsam@aol.com