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18th Century Embroidery

Here the needle plies its busy task
The pattern grows, the well depicted flower
Wrought patiently into the snowy lawn
Unfolds its bosom buds, and leaves, and sprigs
And curling tendrils gracefully disposed
Follow the nimble fingers of the fair
--A wreath that cannot fade.

An Embroidery workshop from Diderot (click to see full size)

Embroidery was another status symbol of the 18th Century both commercially stitched in factories, and home produced by the many middle and upper class women with no other work or recreation.

Textiles for Colonial Clothing

18th Century Embroidery Techniques Books Gail Marsh

Silk Designs of the Eighteenth Century : From the Victoria and Albert Museum, London Four Hundred Years of Fashion (V&A Costume Collection)

Patterns in a Revolution : French Printed Textiles, 1759-1821

Embroidery in Britain From 1200 to 1750: The Victoria & Albert Museum's Textile Collection

Full Color Historic Textile Designs (Dover Pictorial Archive Series)

Textile Design Fashion in Detail : From the 17th and 18th Centuries

Madame De Pompadour : Sex, Culture and Power

Sadi Thread & Shisha Glass Embroidery: Techniques and Design to Inspire Creative Stitching

 

Masterpieces of Women's Costume of the 18th and 19th Centuries

 

Baroque & Rococo: Art & Culture

 from Shambhala Publications book of "Floral Patterns"

During this period, silk thread embroidery replaced wool as a favorite, and cotton white work reached new heights of popularity. In the first third of the 18th Century patterns with oversized flowers in full bloom symmetrically balanced, were in favor, usually in natural and pastel colors, with gold and silver.

Embroidery Design by Saint-Aubin

By the 1730's, the motifs were fresh cut blossoms of life size using natural colors alone. In mid-century bright acid colors were introduced and smaller border patterns became popular. After the mid-century pattern switched to symmetrical, delicate floral designs.

   
Embroidery Patterns for "Court" suits of the second half of the Century  from Shambhala Publications book of "Floral Patterns"

In the 1780’s, a mania developed for men's embroidered waistcoats and men's dress showed profuse embroidery for court wear.

 
18th Century Embroidery patterns typical of those found on 1780's-90's waistcoats from Shambhala Publications book of "Floral Patterns" .

 After 1790, embroidery, like lace, was year by year abandoned by men, and simple white work became the fashion for women.

18th Century Embroidery at at the Musee de la Mode et du Textile, Paris:

• Gallery of Costume - Floral Embroidered Apron 1730-1750

• Gallery of Costume -Waistcoat with Embroidery and Applique 1780-1800