Tinted patchwork became popular in the mid 1880’s. The following instructions are the instructions Victorian ladies would find in needlework books of that time. To make today, substitutions would have to be made, of course, for the embroidery silks.
Victorian Instructions
Tinted Patchwork is a new variety of patchwork, made with coloured muslin of a stiff description, and of four shades of one tint. The material is cut into hexagons, and embroidered with coloured filoselles and tailor’s black twist. The hexagons are arranged to form stars, rosettes, and other devices, all the dark shades of colour being arranged in the centre of the device, and the light colours at the edge.
To work: Cut out, on paper, a large eight-pointed star, or other device; then a number of hexagons, 2 inches in diameter. Use four shades of blue, crimson, purple, yellow, green, or other colours, arranging that each ray of the star is worked with a distinct colour.
The hexagons cut, full their centers with a star worked with yellow, white, or a shaded filoselle, and over this star, and across every point of the hexagons, bring a line of black twist, working the ends into the centre of the star. Overcast the hexagons together to make the pattern, laying them on it as a guide, and place one hexagon, made of white muslin, as the centre patch. Lay the star, when finished upon a plain velvet or satin background.
The work, when used for a footstool cover, is made with one large star, nearly covering the surface; for small tablecloths, cushions, &c., with a number of more minute devices fastened to a plain ground.
