GBH Openvault

Erica; Satin / Roumanian Stitch

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

12/14/1971

Satin stitch—whether it’s done in silk, cotton, or wool—is so named because the very close proximity of the stitches gives it a satiny effect. Erica begins the episode by showing a sampler in satin stitch that she made in her first year as a student at the Royal School of Needlework. She then shows pictorial satin stitch embroideries based on prints from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston collection. Erica suggests that viewers take their inspiration from an image or magazine as embroidery can be a form of affordable painting. Her project for the episode is a sampler in rug and crewel wools of flowers, butterflies, leaves, and dragonflies—all done in a variety of satin stitches, which she demonstrates for the viewer. A highlight of the episode is the skirt that Erica wears. It was owned by her great-grandmother and acquired at the Paris exhibition in 1851. The skirt is decorated in padded satin stitch in silk and cotton threads. Erica confides that while her great-grandmother had an 18-inch waist, she had to let the skirt out considerably before she could wear it. Summary and select metadata for this record was submitted by Amanda Sikarskie.


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Series
Erica
Program
Satin / Roumanian Stitch
Program Number

110

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

Satin stitch—whether it’s done in silk, cotton, or wool—is so named because the very close proximity of the stitches gives it a satiny effect. Erica begins the episode by showing a sampler in satin stitch that she made in her first year as a student at the Royal School of Needlework. She then shows pictorial satin stitch embroideries based on prints from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston collection. Erica suggests that viewers take their inspiration from an image or magazine as embroidery can be a form of affordable painting.

Her project for the episode is a sampler in rug and crewel wools of flowers, butterflies, leaves, and dragonflies—all done in a variety of satin stitches, which she demonstrates for the viewer.

A highlight of the episode is the skirt that Erica wears. It was owned by her great-grandmother and acquired at the Paris exhibition in 1851. The skirt is decorated in padded satin stitch in silk and cotton threads. Erica confides that while her great-grandmother had an 18-inch waist, she had to let the skirt out considerably before she could wear it.

Asset Type

Broadcast program

Media Type

Video

Subjects
Royal School of Needlework
Embroidery
Needlework – Instruction
Satin Stitch
Wilson, Erica
Dress – 19th Century
Insects – Decorative Arts
Flowers – Decorative Art
Genres
Instructional
Topics
Crafts
Creators
MacLeod, Margaret I. (Series Producer)
Contributors
MacLeod, Margaret I. (Producer)
Mahard, Frances (Other (see note))
Field, James (Director)
Wilson, Erica (Host)
Publication Information
Copyright © 1971 Erica Wilson and WGBH Educational Foundation
Citation
Chicago: “Erica; Satin / Roumanian Stitch,” 12/14/1971, GBH Archives, accessed November 21, 2024, http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_B3822A4A0D0543C1BE22FDE6B79FDA45.
MLA: “Erica; Satin / Roumanian Stitch.” 12/14/1971. GBH Archives. Web. November 21, 2024. <http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_B3822A4A0D0543C1BE22FDE6B79FDA45>.
APA: Erica; Satin / Roumanian Stitch. Boston, MA: GBH Archives. Retrieved from http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/V_B3822A4A0D0543C1BE22FDE6B79FDA45
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