Not Just Sew Sew: National Embroidery Month

February 11, 2025

I started my embroidering journey in elementary school. To be honest, I was really upset with my mom that she first started teaching me some of the more intricate stitches, French knots, satin stitch, stem stitch and more over the more common cross stitch, which she was teaching to my friend. She noted that cross stitch was easier and by learning the others it would be a breeze. As evidenced by the above section from a pillowcase I completed using a stamped cross stitch pattern a VERY long time ago, she may have been right. Therefore, National Embroidery Month holds a special place in my heart, and when I saw it as one of the celebrations this month, I had to check out what we had in our collections to represent it!

Samples from Samplers–Martha Williams’ Sampler, 1819; Margaret Worthington Moore’s Sampler, 1840; Mary Ann Moore’s Sample, 1840. IHS (cropped)

Samplers, like the sections of those shown above, were a common way for young ladies to practice their needlework skills. The completed sampler was often displayed to show the accomplishment of the young woman. Interestingly, the history of samplers goes all the way back to ancient times.

Paper and ribbon bookmarks highlighting needlework, ca. 1860-1900. IHS, SC1964 (top three); IHS, M0609 (bottom two)

Apropos for February, which celebrates National Library Lovers Month in addition to embroidery, the above bookmarks highlight mid-late 19th century embroidery. All of them feature ribbons with paper overlays on which the embroidery is displayed. Three of the bookmarks were obtained along with the Civil War diaries of Martin Moor. The other two are part of the Merrill-Graydon family papers.

Woman wearing embroidered blouse, Spiceland, ca. 1900; Young Miss Bates, Indianapolis, 1926; Children dressed for a Fiesta, Indianapolis, 1985. IHS, P0159 (cropped); Bretzman Collection, IHS, (cropped); Indianapolis Recorder Collection, IHS

Many items of clothing, old and modern, feature embroidered details. Clothing from the early to late 20th century and their embroidery details are featured in the above images. Several different stitches are featured.

As noted, I learned embroidery starting many, many years ago. I have completed several projects and started others that will never be done. This is, I think, the crafter’s curse as it has happened in all my crafting hobbies to a certain degree. In any case, I hope you enjoyed seeing just a few of the samples of embroidery found in our collection.

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