Lace-Stitches
The needle-point lace-stitches, so profusely used in the dresses and decorative accessories of the figures in Stuart embroideries, are, as a rule, of a close and rather heavy type. Sometimes they are found to be worked directly on the picture or panel as surface stitches, in the manner already described as adopted for backgrounds; but it was undoubtedly more usual to work the ruffles, sleeves, flower-petals, butterfly-wings, etc., separately, fastening them into their proper places when finished. Stiffenings of fine wire were generally sewn round the extreme edge of any part intended to stand away from the background. A most interesting variety of lace-stitches may be seen in the costume of the boy shown in the enlargement ([Fig. 69]), taken from the panel reproduced in [Fig. 64]. The small illustration ([Fig. 61]) heading this chapter illustrates quite a different kind of lace-stitch, to wit, the hollie-point, which, originally confined to church embroidery, was during the seventeenth century used to ornament under-garments and babies’ christening-robes.
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Fig. 68.—Embroidery Picture. A Squire and his Lady. Signed M. C. Dated 1657.
Mr Minet.
This embroidery, which bears the initials “M. C.” and the date 1657 in pearls, is notable for the variety of stitches which find a place upon it. The central figures are dressed in elaborate costumes, the lady’s robe of yellow satin being embroidered with coloured flowers and decked with pearls, laces, and flowers, an attire altogether inconsistent with the Puritanical times in which she lived.
Fig. 69.—Hair of Unravelled Silk:
Enlargement of Portion of Embroidery reproduced in [Fig. 64].