A Guide to Stitching a Classic Table Covering
The table covering shown below is one of the most exciting projects for needlepoint enthusiasts. An enormous table covering, it was embroidered in silk on a linen canvas, using mainly tent stitch, but with long stitch and stem stitch for some details.
It took a number of months to embroider this design, in which there are approximately 400 stitches to the square inch. The figures are dressed in the fashion of the early 1600s, but the absence of heraldry suggests that the table covering was produced by a professional workshop for sale on the open market rather than as a specific commission. It formerly belonged to the earls of Bradford, at Castle Bromwich Hall in the United Kingdom.
The border appears to be a running commentary on country life, and shows people hunting, shooting, fishing, hawking, tending their domestic animals and growing fruit crops. Grand and simple houses, mills and farm buildings are all depicted with the wonderful disregard for scale that is characteristic of the embroideries of this era.
The people are much too big for their homes, and the fruits on the trees are mammoth. Although the piece is English, many of the animals come from other parts of the world and some are not of this world at all.
One wonders where the references came from and how the makers knew about leopards and other exotic species. The whole effect is of peace, harmony and prosperity. Officially, the design is alleged to depict the early stages of civilization and man's relationship with nature. Its charm is irresistible.
The table covering is on display at a local needlepoint gallery, but dim lighting has to be, used to prevent fading, which makes, it difficult to examine, especially as it is hung quite high up. When I got the color transparencies I was amazed by the details and the strength of the colors.
Simple parts of the border were chosen as the basis for a couple of pieces in this book. The stool is mounted with a piece I have named Malakoff Castle. The fence reminds me of the trifle sponges that surround a Malakoff pudding. Much of this was copied stitch for stitch from the original, but in some places this was impractical.
Adjustments were made to the fence and the goat to fit them into the required shape; the end result is fairly close to the original work, though much larger in size. The seventeenth-century embroiders were working on a canvas that had 20 holes per inch (2.5cm) and we were working on 12 holes per inch. A fine canvas, such as a 16 holes per inch, embroidered in a silk thread, would bring one closer to the original.
I fell in love with the hazelnut tree, with its beautifully observed nut 'clusters and crazy paving trunk. The nuts are so big that you can only fit nine onto the whole tree. The bunny crept in at the last minute almost when I was not looking. I was afraid that it might not be possible to fit sufficient detail into so few stitches, but it worked the first time, so it had to stay.
There are many other fruit trees in the covering, and it would be fun to make them into a series, perhaps as chair seats. The canvas had to be shaped slightly to fit this chair seat, so the front is four stitches wider on each side than the back.
Measure the edges and mark, at each side of the canvas border, four evenly spaced places where you will increase by one stitch. The side strips were stitched separately and then sewn on afterwards, to provide a straight, firm edge.
To make the end result strong enough to sit on, it is advisable to take it to an upholsterer, who will put a piece of strong canvas underneath and attach the ends firmly to the frame of your chair.
The border appears to be a running commentary on country life, and shows people hunting, shooting, fishing, hawking, tending their domestic animals and growing fruit crops. Grand and simple houses, mills and farm buildings are all depicted with the wonderful disregard for scale that is characteristic of the embroideries of this era.
The people are much too big for their homes, and the fruits on the trees are mammoth. Although the piece is English, many of the animals come from other parts of the world and some are not of this world at all.
One wonders where the references came from and how the makers knew about leopards and other exotic species. The whole effect is of peace, harmony and prosperity. Officially, the design is alleged to depict the early stages of civilization and man's relationship with nature. Its charm is irresistible.
The table covering is on display at a local needlepoint gallery, but dim lighting has to be, used to prevent fading, which makes, it difficult to examine, especially as it is hung quite high up. When I got the color transparencies I was amazed by the details and the strength of the colors.
Simple parts of the border were chosen as the basis for a couple of pieces in this book. The stool is mounted with a piece I have named Malakoff Castle. The fence reminds me of the trifle sponges that surround a Malakoff pudding. Much of this was copied stitch for stitch from the original, but in some places this was impractical.
Adjustments were made to the fence and the goat to fit them into the required shape; the end result is fairly close to the original work, though much larger in size. The seventeenth-century embroiders were working on a canvas that had 20 holes per inch (2.5cm) and we were working on 12 holes per inch. A fine canvas, such as a 16 holes per inch, embroidered in a silk thread, would bring one closer to the original.
I fell in love with the hazelnut tree, with its beautifully observed nut 'clusters and crazy paving trunk. The nuts are so big that you can only fit nine onto the whole tree. The bunny crept in at the last minute almost when I was not looking. I was afraid that it might not be possible to fit sufficient detail into so few stitches, but it worked the first time, so it had to stay.
There are many other fruit trees in the covering, and it would be fun to make them into a series, perhaps as chair seats. The canvas had to be shaped slightly to fit this chair seat, so the front is four stitches wider on each side than the back.
Measure the edges and mark, at each side of the canvas border, four evenly spaced places where you will increase by one stitch. The side strips were stitched separately and then sewn on afterwards, to provide a straight, firm edge.
To make the end result strong enough to sit on, it is advisable to take it to an upholsterer, who will put a piece of strong canvas underneath and attach the ends firmly to the frame of your chair.
STITCHING THE LITTLE NUT TREE PATTERN
The size can be varied to fit your own chair by adding or subtracting from the background (refer this article); the finished piece shown here measured 11 x 17in (28 x 43cm).
STITCHES
Tent stitch (basket weave) or half cross is used for the main embroidery, and the stitch illustrated in this article for the side strips.
MATERIALS
Interlock canvas, with 12 holes per inch (2.5cm), some 3in (7.5cm) larger all around than the finished embroidery; plus more for side strips, if required.
Size 20 tapestry needle
Size 20 tapestry needle
REQUIRED NEEDLEPOINT WOOL
A2 WHITE 2 skeins
N47 PALE SKY BLUE 7 skeins
M52 PRUSSIAN BLUE 1 skein
P421 SMOKY GREEN 2 skeins
V605 MID-GREEN 3 skeins
V617 OLIVE 1 skein
V664 GREEN HAY 5 skeins
B5 PALE GOLD 2 skeins
B8 OLD GOLD 2 skeins
Y614 PALE BEIGE 5 skeins
Y82 LIGHT BROWN 2 skeins
J427 PINKY BROWN 2 skeins
X87 BROWN 2 skeins
J434 OLD ROSE 1 skein
J424 DEEP SALMON 1 thread
N47 PALE SKY BLUE 7 skeins
M52 PRUSSIAN BLUE 1 skein
P421 SMOKY GREEN 2 skeins
V605 MID-GREEN 3 skeins
V617 OLIVE 1 skein
V664 GREEN HAY 5 skeins
B5 PALE GOLD 2 skeins
B8 OLD GOLD 2 skeins
Y614 PALE BEIGE 5 skeins
Y82 LIGHT BROWN 2 skeins
J427 PINKY BROWN 2 skeins
X87 BROWN 2 skeins
J434 OLD ROSE 1 skein
J424 DEEP SALMON 1 thread
STITCHING THE MALAKOFF CASTLE PATTERN
FINISHED STITCHED AREA
22 x 1 8in (56 x 46cm)
STITCH STYLE
Tent stitch (basket weave) or half cross stitch
MATERIALS
28 x 24in (70 x 60cm) of interlock canvas, 12 holes per inch (2.5cm)
Size 20 tapestry needle
Size 20 tapestry needle
REQUIRED NEEDLEPOINT WOOL
435 CRIMSON 2 skeins
H659 PLUM BROWN 1 skein
J145 PINKY BROWN 1 skein
J411 DUSKY ROSE 1 skein
J148 DIRTY PINK 4 skeins
E20 PEACH 1 skein
E79 PALE PEACH 1 skein
B4 PALE STRAW 10 skeins
B5 PALE GOLD 6 skeins
V617 PALE OLIVE 3 skeins
V105 OLIVE 5 skeins
E401 EVEN PALER PEACH 5 skeins
V605 MID-GREEN 1 skein
P418 SMOKY GREEN 1 skein
X87 BROWN 6 skeins
E147 TOFFEE 2 skeins
E104 AMBER 6 skeins
M88 SLATE BLUE 1 skein
M111 BLUE 4 skeins
Z64 PALE GREY 3 skeins
A2 WHITE 1 skein
H659 PLUM BROWN 1 skein
J145 PINKY BROWN 1 skein
J411 DUSKY ROSE 1 skein
J148 DIRTY PINK 4 skeins
E20 PEACH 1 skein
E79 PALE PEACH 1 skein
B4 PALE STRAW 10 skeins
B5 PALE GOLD 6 skeins
V617 PALE OLIVE 3 skeins
V105 OLIVE 5 skeins
E401 EVEN PALER PEACH 5 skeins
V605 MID-GREEN 1 skein
P418 SMOKY GREEN 1 skein
X87 BROWN 6 skeins
E147 TOFFEE 2 skeins
E104 AMBER 6 skeins
M88 SLATE BLUE 1 skein
M111 BLUE 4 skeins
Z64 PALE GREY 3 skeins
A2 WHITE 1 skein