Royal School of Needlework Stitch Bank

[caeterle]

I think the Stitch Bank is absolutely amazing although I don't (can't) even do embroidery, but I love looking at it, goldwork especially fascinates me.

The aim of the Stitch Bank is to collect embroidery stitches as an ongoing project and thus preserve the knowledge of stitches from history and different countries.
Maybe it's my librarian's heart which is so in love with that idea. It's sad how many traditions, techniques, stories and more just get lost over time or change so much that no one remembers what they looked like or came from.

[DawninCal]

I have a soft spot for embroidery. When I was only eight or nine, my grandmother taught me to embroider on pillow cases. She also impressed upon me that the back should look as good as the front, something that I now apply to jewelry making. Just cuz it doesn't show, doesn't mean one shouldn't put out their best effort.

When it comes to clothing, I find myself drawn to clothing that is decorated with embroidery and I have a lot of it in my closet. There's just something about embroidery that's special.

I took a quick look at your link and I think I could spend quite a lot of time there. Something I will do when I have a block of time. Their project reminds me of the American Indians who are reviving basket weaving skills that were nearly lost. The older women who still know how to weave are now teaching the younger generations. There are other skills that are being saved as well, but I'm fascinated with the baskets and their subtle patterns. I'm so glad they are making the effort to pass these skills down rather than have them be lost forever.



Daw