When you think of vintage crewel embroidery, you might think of the luxuriously decorative linens of the Elizabethan era, the colonial American home furnishings and definitely the Jacobean flowers and animals stitched back in the early 1600s reign of King James 1.
Unlike cross stitch, crewelwork is not done on a grid. It’s like painting a design, except instead of paints and brushes you use a variety of textured stitches and wool threads. Modern vintage crewel embroidery as a needlework trend had its heyday in the 1960s and 1970s. Many of the patterns at that time were Jacobean inspired. But many designers also used the same stitches to make more contemporary pieces. We’re highlighting those as this week’s picks.
Jacobean crewel embroidered bedcover from Crathes Castle, photo from the National Trust for Scotland.
Hand with Bouquet Crewel
Why this is awesome: The colors and shading in this vintage crewel embroidery are bright and cheerful. The flowers have great textures and it’s an unusual design.
How I would use this: I would hang this almost anywhere that needs something cheerful to perk it up.
Kingdom of the Unicorn crewel embroidery
Why this are awesome: It’s a unicorn. There is so much to love in this piece: the vines, the rainbow, the butterflies. I could live without the castle, but I guess it comes with the territory.
How I would use this: The inclination would be to put it in the bathroom, but humidity can wreak havoc on textiles so I think instead I would put it in a hallway somewhere I can see it frequently.
1970s Carrots Crewel Embroidery
Why it’s awesome: The carrots are great, the fuzzy greens are cool and the lettering puts it over the top.
How I would use this: This belongs in the kitchen.
For more information about crewel embroidery as well as online classes and kits, the Royal School of Needlework has lots of options.
And if you love vintage, take a minute to sign-up for our email newsletter so you don’t miss out on any of our picks or other posts.
