GBH Openvault

Erica; Space Age Canvas

Part of From the Vault. Part of Erica Wilson: The Julia Child of Needlework.

11/16/1971

Canvas was traditionally made out of hemp, linen, or cotton, and Erica informs the viewer, had changed little since Mary, Queen of Scots had done embroidery on canvas. In this episode, however, Erica discusses a new, major innovation in embroidery—plastic canvas. Erica favors the plastic canvas for three-dimensional work because it is flexible, yet stiff, will not fray, and is easy to cut. Erica shows a telephone book cover and a handbag that she made, both in bargello on plastic canvas, and demonstrates how to join to pieces of plastic canvas for a three-dimensional effect using a special joining stitch. For the major project of the episode, Erica shows how to make a three-dimensional needlework replica of one’s own home out of plastic canvas to use as an embroidery box. Summary and select metadata for this record was submitted by Amanda Sikarskie.


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Series
Erica
Program
Space Age Canvas
Program Number

106

Series Description

Needlework series with Erica Wilson. “Erica Wilson, noted American authority on needlework, invites the viewer to explore the exciting possibilities of indulging his creative and artistic talents. In this series of color videotaped 15 minute programs she illustrates the wide vocabulary of stitches used in many types of embroidery including traditional crewel, needlepoint, bargello, and crewel point.

As well as demonstrating these stitches, Erica gives professional hints on creating useful and decorative objects. She encourages personalizing an original or derived design through the selection of motif, materials, stitch, color, texture, and size. C. 1971-2 Series release date: 1971

Program Description

Canvas was traditionally made out of hemp, linen, or cotton, and Erica informs the viewer, had changed little since Mary, Queen of Scots had done embroidery on canvas. In this episode, however, Erica discusses a new, major innovation in embroidery—plastic canvas. Erica favors the plastic canvas for three-dimensional work because it is flexible, yet stiff, will not fray, and is easy to cut.

Erica shows a telephone book cover and a handbag that she made, both in bargello on plastic canvas, and demonstrates how to join to pieces of plastic canvas for a three-dimensional effect using a special joining stitch.

For the major project of the episode, Erica shows how to make a three-dimensional needlework replica of one’s own home out of plastic canvas to use as an embroidery box.

Asset Type

Broadcast program

Media Type

Video

Subjects
Wilson, Erica
Needlework – Instruction
Bargello
Replicas – Domestic Architecture
Plastic Canvas
Embroidery
Genres
Instructional
Topics
Crafts
Creators
MacLeod, Margaret I. (Series Producer)
Contributors
MacLeod, Margaret I. (Producer)
Mahard, Frances (Other (see note))
Wilson, Erica (Host)
Field, James (Director)
Publication Information
Copyright © 1971 Erica Wilson and WGBH Educational Foundation
Citation
Chicago: “Erica; Space Age Canvas,” 11/16/1971, GBH Archives, accessed March 28, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_A30DA618BFD945F29E58BF1EF92C0DF8.
MLA: “Erica; Space Age Canvas.” 11/16/1971. GBH Archives. Web. March 28, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_A30DA618BFD945F29E58BF1EF92C0DF8>.
APA: Erica; Space Age Canvas. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_A30DA618BFD945F29E58BF1EF92C0DF8
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