Jan Paulsen, age 15, of Annapolis, Md., for her question:
WHEN WAS EMBROIDERY FIRST USED?
Embroidery is the art of stitching a decorative design or pattern on cloth with a needle and thread. The art goes back to prehistoric times when people stitched animal skins together for their clothing.
American Indians were masters of embroidery. They sewed beads, shells, feathers and quills in very complicated designs on their clothing.
The ancient Egyptians, Persians, Syrians, Greeks and Italians turned out beautiful embroidery using linen, silk and metallic threads. These people decorated hand woven cotton, linen and silk fabrics for their home furnishings as well as for their clothing.
By the time the Middle Ages came along, the art of embroidery had reached its highest development. Richly embroidered designs were turned out on linens for church altars, priests' robes, wall hangings and clothing worn on special occasions. Much of the work was done by nuns living in convents although it was also an art practiced by the housewife and mother.
Pearls started to be used in embroideries during the 1300s. Often they were combined with fine lace.
During the 1600s and 1700s many girls between the ages of 8 and 12 made wall hangings called samplers. These were designed to display a girl's skill with a wide variety of stitches.
The word "embroidery" is derived from a Middle English word that came from the old French "embroder." Both words meant "edge" or "border."
Today the embroidery needle is made of steel but in the olden days they were made either of wood or bone.
Among the best known types of stitches are the cross, chain, herring bone, feather, French knot, satin and buttonhole. A device known as padding, in which the design stands out, dates beck to the 12th Century. And applique, where one piece of cloth is stitched on top of another, also goes back many hundreds of years.
The Orient has produced beautiful embroidery for centuries. Colorful, spectacular landscapes have been made by the Japanese, but perhaps the best come from the Chinese. Detailed embroideries are done in silk threads of various shades to give the finished work a look featuring blended colors.
Also included in the art of stitchery are the elaborate tapestries that have been turned out in many parts of the world. Many are embroidered with gold threads.
Many countries still produce artistic needlework. Much of it is still made by hand, but excellent machine made pieces are also produced today. Among the best are those made in Switzerland and Saxony.
Also popular today are fine items of clothing featuring Italian cutwork and English eyelet. These are done using silk threads on linen, cotton or wool household linens and clothing.