GBH Openvault
Erica; Thinking Big
Part of From the Vault. Part of Erica Wilson: The Julia Child of Needlework.
12/21/1971
Embroidery projects are often worked on small items, but embroidery can also adorn large items, such as bedspreads. At the beginning of the episode, Erica shows embroidered flowers on squares that she has then appliquéd onto a bedspread for a patchwork effect. The flowers are based on 18th century botanical prints and feature many kinds of embroideryturkey work, French knots, bullion knots, etc. Once again, Ericas work is rooted in historical inspiration from works of art and using multiple kinds of stitches in one project. For the main project of the episode, Erica shows viewers how to upholster a formal side chair with their own embroidery. She encourages viewers to design their own pattern, and suggests using 17th century botanical prints and 18th century printed cotton chintzes from India for inspiration. Tips that she gives to make this big project a success are having the upholsterer create a template before one begins, working on linen twill (as it is very hard-wearing, due to its diagonal weave), and drawing your design on paper and then transferring it to the linen fabric using embroidery carbon. Stitches demonstrated in this episode include stem stitch, buttonhole, and laidwork. Summary and select metadata for this record was submitted by Amanda Sikarskie.
License Clip
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- Series
- Erica
- Program
- Thinking Big
- Program Number
111
- 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
Embroidery projects are often worked on small items, but embroidery can also adorn large items, such as bedspreads. At the beginning of the episode, Erica shows embroidered flowers on squares that she has then appliquéd onto a bedspread for a patchwork effect. The flowers are based on 18th century botanical prints and feature many kinds of embroidery—turkey work, French knots, bullion knots, etc. Once again, Erica’s work is rooted in historical inspiration from works of art and using multiple kinds of stitches in one project.
For the main project of the episode, Erica shows viewers how to upholster a formal side chair with their own embroidery. She encourages viewers to design their own pattern, and suggests using 17th century botanical prints and 18th century printed cotton chintzes from India for inspiration. Tips that she gives to make this “big” project a success are having the upholsterer create a template before one begins, working on linen twill (as it is very hard-wearing, due to its diagonal weave), and drawing your design on paper and then transferring it to the linen fabric using embroidery carbon.
Stitches demonstrated in this episode include stem stitch, buttonhole, and laidwork.
- Duration
00:14:28
- Asset Type
Broadcast program
- Media Type
Video
- Subjects
- Botanical Prints 17th Century
- Chairs Decorative Arts
- Wilson, Erica
- Upholstery - Instruction
- Botanical Prints 18th Century
- Embroidery
- Needlework Instruction
- Genres
- Instructional
- Topics
- Crafts
- Creators
- MacLeod, Margaret I. (Series Producer)
- Contributors
- MacLeod, Margaret I. (Producer)
- Wilson, Erica (Host)
- Field, James (Director)
- Mahard, Frances (Other (see note))
- Publication Information
- Copyright © 1971 Erica Wilson and WGBH Educational Foundation
- Citation
- Chicago: “Erica; Thinking Big,” 12/21/1971, GBH Archives, accessed April 25, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_93B7A256CCD142009393EB850E9E080A.
- MLA: “Erica; Thinking Big.” 12/21/1971. GBH Archives. Web. April 25, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_93B7A256CCD142009393EB850E9E080A>.
- APA: Erica; Thinking Big. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_93B7A256CCD142009393EB850E9E080A