Venetian Embroidery takes its name from Venetian lace, owing to a certain similarity in its general appearance.
This work resembles Roman Work and Strasbourg Embroidery, but is lighter than either in effect, on account of the introduction of Lace Stitches in some of the parts where the material is cut away.
Outlines are worked in high relief, and are carried out in buttonhole stitch. Connecting buttonhole bars are with or without picots, and the linen grounds are generally ornamented with filling stitches, raised dots, open holes worked in buttonhole in relief, and adorned with picots. The work is done upon strong linens, hollands, and batiste, and is used for furniture trimmings, such as mantel and table borders, banner screens, and curtain borders.
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To work as shown in figure above: Trace the outlines of the pattern upon ecru-colored linen, and Run these outlines with thread, both on their scalloped and plain side. Work them over with Buttonhole lines, made of silk matching the linen in color, and while doing so connect the various parts with plain Buttonhole Bars. Be careful that the lines of Buttonhole always turn their edges as shown in the illustration, as, should they be made otherwise, they will not secure the design when the material is cut away.
Take some fine ecru silk, and fill in the parts of the design that are intended to imitate light and open flowers and leaves with Wheels, Point de Bruxelles, Herringbone, Point de Grecque, and other Point Lace Stitches. Vein the heavier leaves with lines of Rope Stitch.
After finishing all of the Embroidery, cut away the linen that is not secured by the Buttonhole lines from underneath the Buttonhole Bars and the Lace Stitches very carefully. Very sharp and small pair of scissors should be used for this.
Below is an other example of Venetian Embroidery.
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Second Description of Venetian Embroidery
In this second description of Venetian Embroidery, the work is formed upon Brussels net, and is an imitation of lace.
To work:
Trace a lace design of some arabesque and running pattern upon pink calico, which is backed by brown paper. Then Tack net over, and, with a needle and fine thread Run the outlines of the design on the net.
Work these over with lines of Buttonholes, made with various colored floss silks, and work a scalloped Buttonhole edging. Cut the net away from the outside of the edging, and work in the centers of flowers or other centers to the outlines with a few long Satin Stitches.
Use more than one shade of color on each piece of lace, but let them blend together, and only use the soft shades of yellow, pink, blue, salmon, and green, and no dark or vivid colors.