Historical description
Giuliana Buonpadre
In the 15
th century linen cloth was embroidered with a hard, tightly plied thread called refe,
occasionally cutting holes in some parts of the linen to obtain the effect of light and shade:
this was Antique Cutwork. From this one passes to "
Reticella" which, in combination with Royal
stitch and Scroll stitch, was used for personal linen because the linen was adapted to this work:
withdrawing the warp and the weft threads from the cloth a square space was obtained,
within which the needle designed the most varied geometric combinations.
Technical description
The cloth is prepared by withdrawing 12 threads and leaving 6;
it is bordered by over sewing and four sided stitch,
working the bars with weaving stitch.
In this way empty squares were produced inside which are embroidered bells,
crosses, small leaves and picot, using buttonhole stitch or whip stitch.
Combining together these various squares thus worked one can obtain complex figures such as flowers,
borders and decorations.
Information workshop 11th - 12th May 2005
Teacher: Giuliana Buonpadre, Embroidery School "Filo-Filò" - Verona
Language: Italian, English, French
Prerequisite: The work is of medium difficulty, experience is advisable in drawn thread work.
Objective: Learning basic techniques, various decorations on cut thread.
Materials provided by the organisation: Linen cloth, embroidery thread, needles, workbook.
Materials to be provided by the pupils:
Embroidery frame, scissors, thimble, stiletto.
