| Crewel embroidery is a type of needlework that | | | | prevalent in American crewel embroidery. However, |
| uses crewel thread, which is actually a twisted | | | | the subject of the needlework is more on forest |
| woolen yarn. This rather thick thread is used to | | | | animals that are more common on American land, |
| create very complex and elaborate designs. | | | | such as rabbits and deer. |
| Crewel embroidery was highly popular in Germany | | | | Because of the thickness of the thread, crewel |
| after the Protestant reformation. But the origin of | | | | embroidery can be quite heavy. Thin fabrics simply |
| crewel embroidery is actually in London, and the peak | | | | could not support the weight of the thread, so a |
| of its popularity was in the early 16th century. | | | | thicker and more durable kind of material is required if |
| This was the time when Great Britain was constantly | | | | you want to make your own crewel embroidery |
| trading goods with India, and many crewel | | | | project. |
| embroidery enthusiasts began to include Indian | | | | Usually, heavy cotton or linen will be able to handle |
| elements in their embroidery designs. | | | | the weight of the crewel thread. If you want to use |
| A typical crewel embroidery pattern from this age | | | | softer kinds of cloth such as flannel, satin, or chiffon, |
| would consist of objects from nature such as trees | | | | then you should probably do a more dainty kind of |
| and living creatures. These are patterns that the | | | | needlework on those materials. |
| English have acquired from the Indian culture. | | | | There are also special needles that you would have |
| At the same time, people from India have also | | | | to buy if you want to start doing crewel embroidery. |
| started showing interest in crewel embroidery. They | | | | These needles have a larger eye that can |
| created their own designs that are largely based on | | | | accommodate the thickness of the crewel thread, |
| the patterns that they have seen from the English. | | | | and their edges are much sharper than regular |
| This combination of two very diverse cultures into a | | | | embroidery needles. |
| single art form is one of the many things that make | | | | Crewel embroidery does not have too many rules |
| crewel embroidery so extraordinary and special. | | | | when it comes to implementing the design. How you |
| Before long, the popularity of crewel embroidery | | | | implement your design is really up to you. You may |
| reached the shores of the United States. The nature | | | | use any kind of stitching you like as long as you |
| patterns that the English are so fond of also became | | | | achieve the design at the end. |