Tambour embriodery work - Essay Example

Tambour Embroidery Work What is tambour work embroidery? Tambour work embroidery refers to a form of embroidery thatinvolves the use of a hook instead of the conventional needle used in most embroidery techniques (Janeausten.co.uk 2014). The hook is used to thrust through the fabric grabbing the thread, drawing it back to the top of the fabric and finally laying down the stitch. The stitches from tambour work embroidery are similar to chain stitches and the size of the stitch is dependent on the skill and purpose of the embroiderer.

In short, tambour work embroidery heavily resembles how sewing machine stitches fabric. History of tambour workThe origins of tambour work are traced to the 18th Century where it grew into a favourite pastime for women. Being a new form of embroidery, the technique was preferred due to it being an exotic form of stitchery (Embroiderersguildwa.org, 2014). The finest attires stitched through this technique were traded all over Europe from Britain to France and in Asiatic countries such as India and Persia.

The first illustration of tambour artistry, in a painting, was that of a fanciful Turkish woman who is pictured working on the technique. Angelica Kauffmann drew this famous painting in 1773. Examples of tambour work from ChinaBefore tambour work was popular in Europe, it was famous in China, Persia, India and Turkey. In these countries, tambour work can be traced back as far as the 14th century. In Turkey and India, tambour embroiderers used metal threads to stitch their fabric. Turkey, specifically, used tambour work to make covers used in ceremonial household events, as it was a status symbol (Embroiderersguildwa.org, 2014).

The Indians of Peru, on the other hand, developed their work without the use of a frame; also known as coarse chain embroidery. Its popularity in Europe and the US in the 18th and 19th centuries The popularity of tambour work grew in leaps and bounds because of the Napoleonic wars. These wars made it difficult for people to obtain fashionable French laces and they had to settle for tambour laces. It was further adopted in Britain after an Italian established his tambour embroidery shop in Edinburgh (Thetextileblog, 2014).

Its popularity grew further after the invention of a machine that would manufacture tambour fabric on a larger scale. There was massive production of ‘sprigged muslin’ and other tambour fabric. Work CitedEmbroiderersguildwa.org.au,. Tambour. N.p., 2014. Web. 2 Dec. 2014. Janeausten.co.uk,. Tambour Work - Jane Austen Centre. N.p., 2014. Web. 2 Dec. 2014.Thetextileblog.blogspot.com,. The Textile Blog: Tambour Embroidery Work. N.p., 2010. Web. 2 Dec. 2014.Thetextileblog.blogspot.com,. The Textile Blog: Tambour Embroidery Work. N.p., 2010. Web. 2 Dec. 2014.