Assisi Embroidery ~ Delicate Threads of Pattern Copyright 2001 La Chatelaine Designs This chart may be reproduced for personal use only. Shops & Guilds may reprint for Free Distribution Only |
Assisi work takes its name from embroideries made in Assisi, Italy beginning with the 13th and 14th centuries. The earliest examples preserved in Italian museums and churches were worked by nuns in convents for use as altar cloths in the churches. They were worked on white linen with silk thread in one color; red, blue, brown, yellow or green. The essential characteristic of Assisi work is that the design is left uncovered or void, and in the early embroideries that background was completely worked in long-armed cross stitch or a drawn thread background of whipped stitch. Most often designs were of elaborately styled animals, birds, foliage, beasts and occasional classical or biblical scenes. During the Renaissance this embroidery combined a free surface stitchery outline with a counted thread background. The design was frequently drawn on the fabric with ink and outlined in backstitch. Early pieces were seldom outlined with the double-running or holbein stitch we now associate with Assisi work. At that time the backgrounds were worked in cross, Italian cross, long-armed cross or the four-sided stitch. The designs were of one color and the background in a second color. The predominant color combination used was black for the main pattern with a red or green background, but unusual color combinations such as rose and blue or slate blue and gold have been found. Assisi embroidery lost its popularity during the 18th and 19th centuries. At the turn of the 20th century women of Assisi began a revival of the art. Copying early embroideries, they selected the stylized animal and plant designs and simplified them. These women changed the function of the embroidery from ecclesiastical to secular and also changed the technique to a purely counted embroidery worked in Holbein and cross stitch. With the use of the Holbein stitch, the finished embroideries are almost reversible. The versatile technique is beautiful on all household articles such as table linens, cloths, cushions and wall hangings as well as needle cases, bags and clothing. When used on table linens, runners or cloths the hem is usually a rolled hem rather than a folded one, and most often a four-sided stitch is worked next to the hem. |
This sweet little "Assisi Bird" would be precious adorning a lavender sachet! Suggested Fabric: Antique White 32ct Linen X = Cross Stitch in 2 strands DMC Black (one strand silk) Backstitch all except bird in black with one strand. Backstitch bird in a pretty blue! |
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La Chatelaine Designs ~ Lucy Lyons Willis 39 Ft. Williams Parkway Alexandria, VA 22304 LLWLaChatelaine@aol.com http://LaChatelaineDesigns.homestead.com/mainpage.html |
Let us write ourselves a reminder to find peace through nature and God, and become happier in the beauty about us, and in us. Samuel Silver |
