Roumanian Stitch

MacLeod, Margaret I. · February 8, 1972

Roumanian stitch was traditionally used to decorate peasant costumes in the Baltic countries. Erica tells the audience that though it is called “Roumanian,” the stitch probably originated in China. She also tells us that the stitch was called “oriental laidwork” at the Royal School of Needlework. Yet another name for the stitch is “New England economy stitch.” Early American colonists often used this stitch in crewel embroidery, and Erica theorizes that New England settlers favored this stitch because it is so economical—hardly any thread is wasted on the back of the piece. Erica shows examples of items decorated with Roumanian stitch from the former Yugoslavia and historical examples from Massachusetts. She also shows bed curtains made by her students for a saltbox house restoration on Long Island. The project for this episode is a spring tapestry in Roumanian stitch. Summary and select metadata for this record was submitted by Amanda Sikarskie.