ENCYCLOPEDIA
OF
NEEDLEWORK
ENGLISH EDITION
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
To be had:
of TH. DE DILLMONT, DORNACH, Alsace,
and at all booksellers, and embroidery shops.
Price, English bound with gilt edges:
| English edition | Sh. | 3.— |
| French edition | Fr. | 5.75 |
| German edition | Mk. | 3.— |
Preface.
The absolute want of any comprehensive book onneedlework—such an one as contains both verbal andpictorial descriptions of everything included under thename of needlework—has led me to put into the serviceableform of an Encyclopedia, all the knowledge andexperience, which years of unceasing study and practicehave enabled me to accumulate on the subject, with thehope that diligent female workers of all ages, may be able,by its means to instruct themselves in every branch ofplain and fancy needlework.
All the patterns given, even the most insignificant,were worked afresh for the purpose, and thus, not merelyfaithful representations, but also lucid and intelligibleexplanations of the same, are secured.
In order that my readers may have something besidesthe dull theory, the work is enlivened by a number ofuseful patterns, some new, some derived from the artisticproductions of such countries and epochs as havebecome famous by special excellence in the domain ofneedlework.
Though, at first sight, the reproduction of many ofthese patterns may seem to present insuperable difficulties,they will, after a careful study of the text, and exact attentionto the directions given, prove easy to carry out.
Many of these interesting designs are drawn fromprivate collections, whose owners, with great kindness,placed their treasures at my disposal, to copy and borrowfrom at discretion, for which I desire to take the presentopportunity, of tendering them my warmest thanks.
The choice of colours and material—a difficult matterto many—my readers will find rendered comparativelyeasy to them by the notes affixed to the illustrations; andI may point out, that most of the patterns were workedwith D.M.C cottons, which enjoy the well-earned reputationof being, the very best of their kind, in the marketof the world.
Experience has convinced me that, in many instances,these cottons may with advantage take the place of wool,linen thread, and even silk.
If this work meet with indulgent judges, and provereally useful, I shall find ample reward in that fact forthe trouble and difficulties that have unavoidably attendedits completion.
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