If you love Victorian needlework of any kind or Victorian crafts, this is the place for you!
Almost every type of Victorian needlework has (or will be) included here for your pleasure. You will find how to produce beautiful household items just like they did in Victorian times.
Victorian Embroidery and Crafts is devoted to home art. On this site are objects of use and beauty which, with deft fingers and artistic tastes, enable a lady (or gentleman) to provide at a trifling or moderate expense, according to her/his means and inclination, for the adornment of the home. You will find a great number of fancy and practical articles illustrated and described. And for those of you who do not consider yourselves artistically inclined, do not despair! There are plenty of instructions to help you create something wonderful for your home, friend, or family memeber.
Embroidery
Begin your journey by perusing the multitude of embroidery stitches and all the variations of each stitch. Varying the stitches on a project will make the project your own, making your article not a reproduction but a true work of art.
Crochet, Knitting, Tatting and Other Needlecrafts
Each needlecraft is represented here (or will be soon). With the great variation of Victorian styles and artistic abilities, there is sure to be at least one that you find is just right for you. But don't be surprised if you find a great many - some of which you might not have known even existed! Take a look around and see what awaits you.
Almost everyone likes to do crafts of one type or another. The crafts included in this site are not just for those who are extremely talented in the making of crafts, but also for those who consider themselves not artistically inclined. No matter what your skill level, you will find a craft item that you will enjoy making and with which to beautify your home.
You will find a great number of patterns, instructions, and illustrations provided FREE! Whether it is embroidery, arts or crafts that you are interested in, you will find it here. All instructions (unless otherwise noted) are authentic Victorian!
Not all items were easily attainable to every lady of the Victorian era, whether it was due to financial or other reasons. The inability to find the "exact" item called for in a pattern or project did not stop them from producing beautiful and useful adornments for themselves, their loved ones and their home. The Victorians were proud of the many ways they could recycle. We can follow in their footsteps, not only by reproducing beautiful items from that era, but also by using the ingenuity and imagination we posses to substitute what is available today for those items not easily procured.
If you have completed a project from this site, or would like to share a Victorian project you feel others who love all things Victorian would enjoy, please let me know. I would love to help you share your projects (and comments) with others. Victorian Embroidery and Crafts is a place to learn, a place to get ideas, and a place to share your embroidery and craft successes (and failures) in making true Victorian artwork with others. Come join the fun!
Please be sure to return often, or bookmark this page, to find new and exciting items for your perusal. Or better yet, sign up for the VEAC newsletter! Be informed of new additions to the site plus any new Victorian embroidery and craft information you may find enjoyable. Or, if you prefer, join my Blog or RSS feed. You'll get up-to-date changes and new page notifications right away!
If you have any comments or would like to see something added to this site, please let me know. Remember, if you would like to see something discussed, or certain Victorian projects shared, chances are others do to. By letting me know, it will help you find other who enjoy what you do and maybe make a few new friends along the way!
Hand embroidery is an art of it's own. Care must be taken from the very first step to the last. Learn the finer points in hand embroidery to ensure your project becomes a work of art you are proud of.
Embroidery stitches with instructions will supply those who desire to use the needle an opportunity to vary or increase their knowledge and efforts in the decorative arts.
Types of embroidery includes every sort of ornamental work done with a sewing needle of any kind. Embroidery may be done on any number of fabrics from satin to canvas. Victorians embraced them all!
Don't know one fabric from another? Here is a list of vintage embroidery fabrics, each with a brief description, that were more generally used for decorative purposes in 1902.
Over the course of time, different stitches have become known as the Mexican Stitch. Both can be used for ornamental embroidery work and one can be used as a faggoting stitch.
Victorian dress accessories were often made with Wallachian embroidery. Most often done in white, using colors became quite popular. Find samples of dress accessories here.
Discover how to make your very own Victorian embroidered table centerpieces that were so dearly loved by the ladies of that era. Vintage designs and instructions are here!
The Lattice stitch is used in making borders of uniform width. Worked much like the Ismit Stitch, it is quite easy to do and provides a pretty pattern to embroidery projects.
Victorian embroidery is often thought of as the epitome of embroidery, however, many contemporaries at that time were less than kind when speaking about it. Here is what one has to say.
Net embroidery is a beautiful way to ornament white or black net for use in caps, dressing trimmings, and other small articles of dress as well as decorative items.
Here is how to make your very own Victorian embroidered oblong centerpiece that was so dearly loved by the ladies of that era! Free vintage design and instructions.
Authentic Victorian crafts are highly sought after. Here you will find authentic directions, illustrations and suggestions for craft items made during the mid-1800's to the early 1920's.
A key bag was very handy for Victorian ladies. It kept the keys of the household handy yet out of the way. Here is how Victorian ladies made and decorated this indispensable bag.
This Victorian butterfly crThis Victorian butterfly craft is one you’re sure to enjoy. Victorian ladies used butterflies to decorate lampshades, to pin to the window curtains, to put almost anywhere.
This Victorian photograph holder looks like something you may find in a store today. It is easy to make and great for displaying photos, postcards, reminders, etc.
This Victorian shoe tidy will help you keep your shoes and boots organized just like our ancestors did. Fast and easy to do. No reason to by a modern one when you can easily make this for pennies!
This Dreden watch pocket was actually sold as a kit in 1904. Although no longer available, the directions here are easily followed. This would make a great gift to any Victorian lover.
Victorian inspired crafts can bring that wonderful Victorian feeling into your home quickly and inexpensively. Here you will find craft projects you can start and finish today!
This Victorian Water Bouquet novelty is extremely pretty and is a variation from the everyday flower-pots. It is especially nice since even those with allergies to flower can enjoy it! See more here
A Victorian music wrapper will have you carrying you sheet music in style! Victorian ladies made these as gifts for musical friends. These authentic 1865 directions show you how to make your own.
This victorian gift, a fish pincushion, could not get more Victorian. Simple to make but oh, so authentic. Give it a try. It is sure to bring a smile to any true Victorian lovers face.
Inexpensive fancy work Christmas gifts are wonderful to make and give to those you know who love this type of work, especially Victorian lovers. Try a few.
A Turkish Slipper Thimble and Bodkin Holder would thrill any Victorian lover. It does not require a lot of materials and is quite unique. A great gift idea but remember to make one for yourself, too!
Here is another Victorian gift: a Wheelbarrow Pincushion to make. You will find this unique little number nothing like you have ever seen before. Take a look.
Everyone who loves Victorian items would love to have some vintage Victorian Christmas ornaments. Now you can! Original instructions on how to make your own.
Here are instructions to make some Victorian tasteful trifles. These instructions are from c1869. Any one of them would make a wonderful addition to any Victorian room.
These Victorian Christmas household decorations were published in 1869 to help ladies’ decorate their home as well as the Christmas tree. Great ideas to use in your Victorian home.
The Victorians were very fond of presenting small gifts or souvenirs to those they cared for. Here are a few original instructions for Victorian gifts that will help you make your very own. <br>
These simple Christmas gifts were suggested for ladies in 1896 to make for those on their Christmas list. Any Victorian lover would love any one of them.
If you are looking for some ideas on what to get a gentleman who loves Victorian items, take a look at these Christmas presents for men suggestions from 1896.
Discover how and when Valentines day originated and came to be a favorite Victorian holiday. Includes directions in making your very own Victorian Valentines cards.
Victorian home decor is a special look that anyone can achieve. With the proper know-how, items can be made that will make any room wonderfully victorian. Check it out!
A portable ivy screen was found very use by the Victorians. Not only did it bring the outdoors in, it required little in the way of care, and it could be moved around when wanted elsewhere. Try it!
Looking for a different way to hide that black hole in your fireplace when it is not in use? The Bric-a-Brac table is a unique idea, used by Victorian ladies, that did the trick!
Twist patchwork is a truly Victorian pattern that has the appearance of long narrow patches twisting or interlacing each other and twine around the squares and cubes.
The Box Patchwork pattern, also known as the block or tumbling block pattern, is a favorite of many people. Learn how to make your own special box patchwork piece.
Contact me to comment on what you see, what you would like to see on this website, or any questions you may have concerning Victorian embroidery or crafts.
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These (slightly edited) authentic Victorian embroidered tea cozy designs were published in 1889. Either design would be make a lovely addition to your Victorian tea table.
Victorian Ticking work imitated the bright and elaborate embroideries of Arabia, Turkey and Persia. It was well loved because of how quickly and easily it could be done and still produce stunningly.
This Victorian flower pot design was based upon the love of Egyptian artwork that pervaded that era. Easy and fast to do, using today’s paints, you could whip out a few of these in no time.
Selecting embroidery silk, floss, or any type of embroidery thread can be difficult. It was the same for Victorian women as well. Here are some tips to help choose correctly.
Discover how to make your very own Victorian embroidered round centerpiece that was so dearly loved by the ladies of that era. Vintage design and instructions are here!
The Victorians used a method called decalcomanie to decorate the outsides of plates, vases, and other items to imitate finely painted china. Here is how they did it.
Victorian ladies considered embroidered patchwork suitable for small articles. This made this type of patchwork very popular, as the projects were always small and usually easy to do. See for yourself
Filet Crochet has been around for a long time but many people do not know exactly what it is. Here is some general filet crochet information to see if it is something that may of interest you.
The Garland Medallion Antimacassar was a new kind of raised crochet in 1869, when these instructions were published. This doily would add a special flair to any Victorian style room.
A Burnt Match Holder? For real? Most definitely! And easy to make. This item is as useful as it was during the Victorian era. Where else would you safely put a hot, burned out match after using it?
Chimney boards were used by Victorian ladies to hide the fireplace opening when not in use. They ranged for very simple to very intricate. Here are a few ideas to use to add beauty to yours.
Kid patchwork projects were often made from old gloves but if large enough could beiused for larger projects. An unusual patchwork for current times but interesting. See why.
Button work mats are the perfect Victorian mats to make because they are so easy to make, can be made to fit any size table, and take no time to finish. Here are a number of patterns to try.
Ornamental Jardinieres, Victorian style! Not all Victorians could afford Sevres or Wedgwood China Jardinieres so they made their own imitation ones. So can you! Here are the instructions.
Decorating a fireplace, Victorian style, is not that difficult. The reason why is because there were as many ways for the fireplace to be adorned as their were Victorian ladies. Here are some tips.
The Diaper Couching Stitch is an easy way to get rich results on almost any embroidery project. Discover more about this stitch and how to use it to its best advantage.