Satin / Roumanian Stitch; Erica; Erica: Satin / Roumanian Stitch

Mahard, Frances · December 14, 1971

Satin stitch?whether it?s done in silk, cotton, or wool?is so named because the very close proximity of the stitches gives it a satiny effect. Erica begins the episode by showing a sampler in satin stitch that she made in her first year as a student at the Royal School of Needlework. She then shows pictorial satin stitch embroideries based on prints from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston collection. Erica suggests that viewers take their inspiration from an image or magazine as embroidery can be a form of affordable painting. Her project for the episode is a sampler in rug and crewel wools of flowers, butterflies, leaves, and dragonflies?all done in a variety of satin stitches, which she demonstrates for the viewer. A highlight of the episode is the skirt that Erica wears. It was owned by her great-grandmother and acquired at the Paris exhibition in 1851. The skirt is decorated in padded satin stitch in silk and cotton threads. Erica confides that while her great-grandmother had an 18-inch waist, she had to let the skirt out considerably before she could wear it. Summary and select metadata for this record was submitted by Amanda Sikarskie.