19th Century Parlorcraft Circle: Ribbon Embroidery, Trims, and Rosettes
Saturday, September 23, 2017
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Jefferson Market Library
Third Floor
425 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10011
Join the New York Nineteenth Century Society Parlorcraft Circle as we explore the art and craft of ribbon embroidery, trims, and rosettes. Ribbon embroidery dates to the 17th century, when luxurious silk ribbons were used to create rosettes, cockades, and floral embellishments for both men’s coats and women’s gowns. The cost of silk ribbon, and the detailed and time-consuming techniques, meant that is was strictly for European royalty and aristocrats.
It decreased in popularity as other forms of embroidery became more prevalent, but the early 19th century, the fashionable gowns of the House of Worth made silk ribbon work popular among upper-class women. Due to the high cost of silk, it remained an upper-class decorative art for embellishing reticules, hats, gloves, petticoats, quilts, shoes, and of course, evening gowns.
Nowadays, silk ribbon is no longer for the aristocrat! We’ll provide materials and instruction to create decorative floral embellishments, rosettes, cockades, and other ribbon trimmings. If you have a garment or accessory you’d like to embellish, you are welcome to bring it. Reticules, gloves, vests, and other sturdy fabric accessories are best for ribbon embroidery (handkerchief-weight cotton is too fine to support the ribbon).
Tea and light refreshments will be served but you may bring your own treats to share if you wish.
Please leave your laptops and modern sewing/craft projects at home for this event – we’re all about the historic hand work!
