Germanic embroidery

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Background

The Germanic lands of Europe have a long tradition of embroidery. In the period covered by the SCA, there are two types of embroidery for which this area is particularly well known- whitework and wool embroidery.

Materials Used

Stitches and Techniques

Design

  • Whitework pieces were either secular or ecclesiastical, however, this technique was a popular one for adorning alter clothes to be used at Lent.
  • Wool work was mostly secular, with moral tales being a popular topic.

A point to note is the popularity of heraldic display in Germanic embroidery.

Extant Pieces

  • Stole with Images of the Martyrdom of Saint Catherine, ca. 1200

German (Rhineland) or English - Red silk, linen underlay, crimson silk tabby, metal threads (strips of gold and silver leaf wrapped on linen thread); 7 7/8 x 19 1/4 in. (19.7 x 48.9 cm) - http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/litu/hob_64.101.1382.htm

  • Large Collection of 14th and 15th Century Westphalian Embroidery -

http://www.wymarc.com/pages/816937/index.htm