What is the most useful stitch for hand embroidery, often used to outline flowers and leaves?
- Blanket stitch
- Satin stitch
- Stem stitch
- Chain stitch
Correct Answer: Stem stitch
Correct Answer Explanation: The stem stitch is considered the most versatile stitch for hand embroidery due to its ability to create smooth, flowing lines, making it ideal for outlining shapes like flowers and leaves.
Which type of stitch is frequently used in white embroidery to create a smooth, satin-like surface, especially for small flowers and raised designs?
- Chain stitch
- Stem stitch
- Knotted stitch
- Satin stitch
Correct Answer: Satin stitch
Correct Answer Explanation: The satin stitch is known for its smooth, flat surface and is often used in white embroidery to create delicate details like small flowers, raised designs, or lettering. It gets its name from the satiny sheen it creates when worked.
Which stitch is primarily used for edging blankets, table covers, and other materials, providing a secure and decorative finish?
- Blanket stitch
- Satin stitch
- Stem stitch
- Chain stitch
Correct Answer: Blanket stitch
Correct Answer Explanation: As its name suggests, the blanket stitch is traditionally used for edging blankets, but it can also be used to finish edges on other fabric items like tablecloths, pillows, or clothing. Its secure stitches prevent fraying and add a decorative touch.
This stitch is used to create raised knots, often found in the centers of flowers like daisies and wild roses.
- Blanket stitch
- Satin stitch
- Knotted stitch
- Chain stitch
Correct Answer: Knotted stitch
Correct Answer Explanation: The knotted stitch, also sometimes called a French knot, is used to create small, raised knots that resemble the centers of flowers like daisies or the small berries found in embroidery designs.
This stitch creates a chain-like effect and was popular for ground patterns in 17th and 18th-century embroidery.
- Stem stitch
- Satin stitch
- Chain stitch
- Knotted stitch
Correct Answer: Chain stitch
Correct Answer Explanation: The chain stitch creates a series of connected loops that look like a chain, making it a decorative stitch with a long history in embroidery. It was particularly popular for creating ground patterns in 17th and 18th-century embroidery.
What is the name of the technique that involves laying threads on the surface of the fabric and securing them with stitches from the back, creating a variety of patterns and textures?
- Appliqué
- Couching
- Opus Anglicum
- Cushion stitch
Correct Answer: Couching
Correct Answer Explanation: Couching is a technique where threads are laid on the surface of the fabric and then secured with stitches from the back, creating interesting patterns and textures. It can be used to create a variety of effects, from simple lines to intricate designs.
Which stitch, also known as Opus Pulvinarium, is worked on canvas and was popular for covering furniture in the Middle Ages?
- Cushion stitch
- Couching
- Opus Anglicum
- Appliqué
Correct Answer: Cushion stitch
Correct Answer Explanation: The cushion stitch, also called Opus Pulvinarium, was traditionally worked on canvas and was used to create textured backgrounds for embroidery, especially on cushions and other furniture coverings during the Middle Ages.
This English embroidery style, popular in the 13th century, featured a unique method of working flesh in figures by pressing the material with heated metal balls.
- Opus Anglicum
- Cushion stitch
- Couching
- Appliqué
Correct Answer: Opus Anglicum
Correct Answer Explanation: Opus Anglicum, meaning “English Work,” was a unique style of embroidery popular in 13th-century England. It featured a distinctive technique of working flesh in figures by pressing the fabric with heated metal balls to create a subtle, almost three-dimensional effect.
This technique involves cutting out shapes from different fabrics and attaching them to a background, resulting in a layered and textured effect.
- Appliqué
- Opus Anglicum
- Cushion stitch
- Couching
Correct Answer: Appliqué
Correct Answer Explanation: Appliqué is a technique that involves cutting out shapes from different fabrics and then attaching them to a background fabric, creating a layered and textured effect. This technique allows for a wide range of design possibilities and adds depth to embroidery.
Which type of thread is made of gilt paper twisted around cotton thread, making it non-tarnishing?
- French gold thread
- English gold thread
- Japanese gold thread
- Chinese gold thread
Correct Answer: Japanese gold thread
Correct Answer Explanation: Japanese gold thread is made by twisting gilt paper around cotton thread, resulting in a non-tarnishing gold thread. This unique process makes it a durable and long-lasting material for embroidery.
Which of these gold threads is similar to Japanese gold thread, but with a redder color?
- French gold thread
- English gold thread
- Chinese gold thread
- Japanese gold thread
Correct Answer: Chinese gold thread
Correct Answer Explanation: Chinese gold thread is very similar to Japanese gold thread, but it has a slightly redder color due to the specific type of gilt paper used in its construction.
This fine gold or silver thread can be worked through the material or laid on for raised embroidery.
- Plate
- Bullion
- Spangles
- French gold thread
Correct Answer: Bullion
Correct Answer Explanation: Bullion is a fine gold or silver wire made in continuous rings, offering a versatile material for embroidery. It can be worked through the fabric or laid on the surface to create raised designs, adding a luxurious touch to embroidery.
What is a type of wild silk from India that takes delicate dyes and offers a less glossy appearance than cultivated silks?
- Kirriemuir Twill
- Bolton Sheeting
- Tussore Silk
- Filoselle
Correct Answer: Tussore Silk
Correct Answer Explanation: Tussore silk is a wild silk from India known for its natural color and less glossy appearance compared to cultivated silks. It is often used in embroidery for its unique texture and earthy tones.
Which of these fabrics is a fine twilled linen, good for tennis aprons, dresses, curtains, and other items?
- Bolton Sheeting
- Tussore Silk
- Kirriemuir Twill
- Filoselle
Correct Answer: Kirriemuir Twill
Correct Answer Explanation: Kirriemuir twill is a fine twilled linen that is strong and durable, making it suitable for a variety of items like tennis aprons, dresses, curtains, and other clothing or household fabrics. Its fine weave allows for delicate embroidery details.
This coarse twilled cotton fabric is excellent for embroidery on curtains, counterpanes, and dresses.
- Tussore Silk
- Kirriemuir Twill
- Bolton Sheeting
- Filoselle
Correct Answer: Bolton Sheeting
Correct Answer Explanation: Bolton sheeting is a coarse twilled cotton fabric that is sturdy and well-suited for embroidery on larger items like curtains, counterpanes, and dresses. Its durable texture can withstand the weight of embroidery stitches and provides a good surface for needlework.
What is a type of worsted yarn used for embroidery, often untwisted for a softer effect?
- Tussore
- Crewel
- Filoselle
- Opus Anglicum
Correct Answer: Crewel
Correct Answer Explanation: Crewel is a type of worsted yarn often used in embroidery. It is often untwisted to create a softer, more textured effect for embroidery projects.
Which of these terms refers to pure silk of an inferior quality, often used in strands for embroidery?
- Crewel
- Tussore
- Filoselle
- Opus Anglicum
Correct Answer: Filoselle
Correct Answer Explanation: Filoselle is a type of silk that is considered inferior in quality to other silks. It is often used in strands for embroidery because it is less expensive and easier to work with.
What is the name of the unique style of English embroidery, especially noted for its techniques of working flesh in figures?
- Opus Anglicum
- Opus Pulvinarium
- Appliqué
- Couching
Correct Answer: Opus Anglicum
Correct Answer Explanation: Opus Anglicum, meaning “English Work,” is a unique style of embroidery that was popular in England during the 13th century. It was especially known for its distinctive techniques of working flesh in figures, giving them a subtle three-dimensional effect.
Which of these terms refers to a technique of working on canvas, often used for creating textured backgrounds?
- Appliqué
- Couching
- Opus Pulvinarium
- Opus Anglicum
Correct Answer: Opus Pulvinarium
Correct Answer Explanation: Opus Pulvinarium, also known as Cushion Stitch, is a technique of working embroidery on canvas. It is often used for creating textured backgrounds for embroidery, especially for cushions and other furniture coverings.
This term describes a pattern created through the use of different stitch arrangements, often used as a ground for embroidery.
- Appliqué
- Couching
- Diaper
- Backing
Correct Answer: Diaper
Correct Answer Explanation: Diaper refers to a pattern created by arranging different stitches in a repeating design. It is often used as a background or ground for embroidery, adding texture and visual interest to the overall piece.
What is the name of a layer of fabric, often linen or cotton, used to strengthen and support delicate fabrics for embroidery?
- Pounce
- Backing
- Diaper
- Couching
Correct Answer: Backing
Correct Answer Explanation: Backing is a layer of fabric, typically linen or cotton, that is placed behind the fabric being embroidered. It provides additional support, especially for delicate fabrics, preventing them from stretching or puckering during the embroidery process.
This term refers to a mixture of finely powdered charcoal and pipe-clay used for transferring designs to fabric.
- Backing
- Diaper
- Pounce
- Couching
Correct Answer: Pounce
Correct Answer Explanation: Pounce is a mixture of finely powdered charcoal and pipe-clay used for transferring designs to fabric. It is used to create a temporary outline that can be followed with embroidery stitches.
Which 13th-century cope in the Kensington Museum showcases the Opus Anglicum technique?
- Countess Brownlow’s altar-hanging
- The Hon. Mrs. Percy Wyndham’s bed-hanging
- The Syon cope
- The old Venetian curtains
Correct Answer: The Syon cope
Correct Answer Explanation: The Syon cope, a 13th-century cope found in the Kensington Museum, is a prime example of the Opus Anglicum technique. It features intricate embroidery details, including the distinctive way flesh was worked in figures using heated metal balls.
These curtains, copied for Louisa, Lady Ashburton, featured fine and beautiful couching effects, showcasing the possibilities of color in this style.
- The Hon. Mrs. Percy Wyndham’s bed-hanging
- The Syon cope
- The old Venetian curtains
- Countess Brownlow’s altar-hanging
Correct Answer: The old Venetian curtains
Correct Answer Explanation: The old Venetian curtains, copied for Louisa, Lady Ashburton, were known for their beautiful and intricate couching effects, showcasing the versatility and aesthetic possibilities of this embroidery technique. They demonstrated how couching can be used to create intricate patterns and textures using different colors of thread.
Which embroidery work is an example of basket stitch in gold on white satin, showcasing the richness and intricate detail of this technique?
- The Hon. Mrs. Percy Wyndham’s bed-hanging
- The Syon cope
- The old Venetian curtains
- Countess Brownlow’s altar-hanging
Correct Answer: Countess Brownlow’s altar-hanging
Correct Answer Explanation: Countess Brownlow’s altar-hanging is a notable example of basket stitch in gold on white satin. It exemplifies the richness and intricate detail that can be achieved using this technique, highlighting the possibilities of gold thread and the beauty of this stitch for creating raised and textural designs.
This modern example of cushion stitch, worked from a design by William Morris, demonstrates the versatility of this ancient technique.
- Countess Brownlow’s altar-hanging
- The Syon cope
- The old Venetian curtains
- The Hon. Mrs. Percy Wyndham’s bed-hanging
Correct Answer: The Hon. Mrs. Percy Wyndham’s bed-hanging
Correct Answer Explanation: The Hon. Mrs. Percy Wyndham’s bed-hanging is a contemporary example of cushion stitch worked from a design by William Morris. It demonstrates the versatility of this ancient technique, showing how it can be adapted to modern designs and used for a variety of decorative purposes.
Which museum is a vast resource for studying historical embroidery techniques and styles?
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- The Syon cope
- The old Venetian curtains
- Countess Brownlow’s altar-hanging
Correct Answer: Victoria and Albert Museum
Correct Answer Explanation: The Victoria and Albert Museum, also known as the V&A, has a vast and impressive collection of historical embroidery pieces from various periods and cultures. It serves as an invaluable resource for researchers, scholars, and anyone interested in exploring the rich history of embroidery techniques and styles.