GBH Openvault

Erica; Stitches in Needlepoint

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

04/06/1972

While what Erica calls the “plain, flat, regular” tent stitch is the most common stitch for needlepoint, Erica invites viewers to broaden their horizons and “say goodbye to all those flat, beige backgrounds” in this episode by trying other, more textural stitches in needlepoint. Given this, Erica demonstrates many stitches in this episode, including Gobelin stitch (so named because of its resemblance to the texture of woven tapestries produced at Gobelins in France), and its variations—slanted Gobelin, encroaching Gobelin, and brick stitch. To demonstrate the beauty of more textural stitches in needlepoint, Erica shows the results of an epic, five-year project in which she designed kneeling cushions for a church in Ohio, each one unique. The cushions, which were executed by members of the church in consultation with Erica, were done in needlepoint in bold gradations of color using variations of the Gobelin stitch. The cushions depict God’s creatures, great and small. Summary and select metadata for this record was submitted by Amanda Sikarskie.

Series

Erica

Program

Stitches in Needlepoint

Program Number

126

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

While what Erica calls the “plain, flat, regular” tent stitch is the most common stitch for needlepoint, Erica invites viewers to broaden their horizons and “say goodbye to all those flat, beige backgrounds” in this episode by trying other, more textural stitches in needlepoint. Given this, Erica demonstrates many stitches in this episode, including Gobelin stitch (so named because of its resemblance to the texture of woven tapestries produced at Gobelins in France), and its variations—slanted Gobelin, encroaching Gobelin, and brick stitch.

To demonstrate the beauty of more textural stitches in needlepoint, Erica shows the results of an epic, five-year project in which she designed kneeling cushions for a church in Ohio, each one unique. The cushions, which were executed by members of the church in consultation with Erica, were done in needlepoint in bold gradations of color using variations of the Gobelin stitch. The cushions depict God’s creatures, great and small.

Asset Type

Broadcast program

Media Type

Video

Subjects

Needlework – Liturgical

Needlework – Ohio

Needlework – Instruction

Gobelin Stitch

Wilson, Erica

Needlepoint – Design

Animals – Decorative Arts

Genres

Instructional

Topics

Crafts

Creators

MacLeod, Margaret I. (Series Producer)

Contributors

Field, James (Director)

MacLeod, Margaret I. (Producer)

Wilson, Erica (Host)

Mahard, Frances (Other (see note))

Publication Information

Copyright © 1971 Erica Wilson and WGBH Educational Foundation

Citation

Chicago: “Erica; Stitches in Needlepoint,” 04/06/1972, GBH Archives, accessed December 31, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_655DAF6DE15648859AB694930645F6AA.

MLA: “Erica; Stitches in Needlepoint.” 04/06/1972. GBH Archives. Web. December 31, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_655DAF6DE15648859AB694930645F6AA>.

APA: Erica; Stitches in Needlepoint. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_655DAF6DE15648859AB694930645F6AA