The history of embroidery creation in different countries. History of cross stitch: creation and reference, Russian in brief, appearance in Rus', appearance in Russia. How did the history of cross stitching begin in Russia?

Today, cross stitch is one of the most popular hobbies among women. Cross stitch is one of the most original and sought-after types of art, which attracts many needlewomen. Cross stitch has long been used to decorate homes, shoes, and clothing. Over time, the art of cross stitch has improved more and more. Nowadays, cross stitching implies the art of decorating various fabrics and finished products with beautiful ornaments and a beautiful plot design. Embroidery can be done not only by hand, but also by machine embroidery. The preserved embroidery helps to feel the entire transmitted atmosphere of the past and fully appreciate its value for every nation.

Beautiful cross stitch: history of creation

Cross stitch is in great demand among many craftswomen, however, not everyone knows the history of the creation of embroidery. At all times, cross stitch is in great demand, as it allows you to express your individuality in an interesting way. Embroidery motifs changed over time and were increasingly improved.

Before decorating various products with embroidery, it is necessary to study the history of the creation of the ornament, because often patterns have their own special sacred meaning

Initially, embroidery was used for products that served as amulets, the motive for which was:

Natural patterns;
Motifs taken from everyday life;
Original ornaments.

As embroidery developed, more original and modern motifs appeared, each of which has its own designation. The preserved motifs of the works allow us to appreciate all the beauty and unusual ancient embroidery for which expensive materials were used, as well as have a complete understanding of the life of our ancestors.

Important! Before you start embroidery, you must first carefully study the history of its origin, as well as the peculiarities of each of the ornaments.

How did the history of cross stitching begin in Russia?

Initially, embroidery in Rus' was an activity exclusively for the elite, which included only representatives of the nobility and monks.

If earlier embroidery was the privilege of the nobility, now various tools, threads and embroidery patterns are available to all interested needlewomen

The material for the work was expensive fabrics, namely silk or velvet, as well as:

Silver and gold threads;
Pearl;
Precious stones.

Starting from the 18th century, cross stitch ceased to be the privilege of noble people and became available to ordinary peasant girls. From this moment on, the history of Russian embroidery moves to a completely new level, and completely new original patterns appear.

Russian embroidery was very much influenced by Byzantium, so weave various styles visible in the works of craftswomen. Now cross stitch is moving to a completely new level and is in great demand.

Historical information about cross stitch: features and motives

The historical record of ancient cross stitch has not preserved precise information regarding the origin of this type of art and the craftswoman who first began cross-stitching. What is known is that women have been engaged in embroidery since ancient times.

Embroidery is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the history and culture of different peoples

Embroidery, like absolutely any other art, is characterized by the fact that it:

Represents the culture of a particular country;
National traditions;
Features of the region.

The historical background of cross stitch briefly talks about the national characteristics of each nation. Cross stitch was distinguished by its colors and patterns, which were widely used by craftswomen in their works. In those days they decorated with embroidery bed sheets, curtains, clothes, towels and many other things. Embroidery was also often used to decorate the bride’s wedding dress.

Craftswomen embroidered the most real works of art in the East, using the most original and bizarre patterns that still fascinate with their extraordinary beauty.

Handmade cross stitch is currently very highly valued and equal in value precious stones and gold.

Stories of cross stitching: where it all began

For many, cross stitch is not only very interesting and exciting activity, but also the opportunity to decorate your home with beautiful products. A lot of time has passed since the appearance of this art, however, it does not lose its relevance even now.

Cross stitch has long served not only as a decoration for the home, but also as a powerful amulet for the family.

Pictures for embroidery different times varied greatly, because they were popular at different times:

Biblical motifs and patterns;
Floral ornaments;
Original images of various animals and birds.

Each pattern has its own specific symbolic meaning and is embroidered in a strictly defined color. There are many options for cross stitch, however, the most popular and in demand is a simple one-sided full cross stitch. With such embroidery, both the front and wrong side It turns out very neat. By following simple embroidery rules you can make finished product very beautiful and neat.

What is the history of cross stitch (video)

Everyone's favorite cross stitch has its own interesting story the emergence of this art form. In addition, each pattern and ornament used for embroidery has its own history of origin and designation.

17.03.2010

Many needlewomen are interested in where embroidery originates, that is, the history of its origin. It is also interesting to explore the chronicle of its development and spread among different peoples. In this article we will look at the history of the art of embroidery, its main points, and also make a brief excursion into each type of embroidery.

Embroidery in the primitive period

Yes, oddly enough, embroidery originates precisely at this time. Our great-great-great-grandmothers first began to embroider in the primitive age. Of course, this embroidery had little resemblance to modern beautiful creations, but still this beginning means a lot in the life of every needlewoman!

Primitive women in their work used all available means that could be compared with modern needles, thread and fabric - chiseled stone in the form of a needle, sharp bones, animal sinews and skin, hair, wool, etc. Agree, cross-stitch done with hair and embellished with veins would not look very attractive nowadays. But in those days there were no other materials in nature, and we had to start somewhere.

The first stitches were more of a practical use: women sewed together pieces of leather that they wore as clothing. Then they began to embellish their clothes with primitive ornaments. This became the first purpose of embroidery as an aesthetic decoration and served as a basis for the further development of this needlework.

The first embroideries on fabrics

It is recorded that in history such embroideries first appeared in Ancient China. Of course, this is very relative information about their primacy, but it is still believed that it was in China, in the 6th-5th centuries BC, that they embroidered on silk fabrics. The drawings were related to nature and often depicted birds. By the way, the first silk fabrics began to be produced there, in China. They were very expensive, so embroidery was done exclusively by women from the nobility.

It is also known that the first fabrics that were suitable for embroidery were made from wool. But the palm was taken by linen fabric, which was distinguished by its whiteness and suitable structure. Its homeland is Ancient India, where the first flax was grown.

Pagan times among the Slavs

In pagan times, the Slavs began to attach great importance to embroidered ornaments. Everything that was embroidered carried some kind of “subtext”. Embroidered towels were especially held in high esteem. They depicted colorful motifs that symbolized prosperity in the home and health. With their help, various rituals were performed. Casual and festive clothes, bed linen, curtains, etc. were also trimmed.

Christianity

At this time, women supported the handicraft traditions of their pagan ancestors, and also came up with new ornaments. It was then that icons began to be decorated with embroidered towels, and it was during Christianity that the “cross stitch” technique began to be used very often. The cross had not only aesthetic value, but also possessed (according to the beliefs of that time) very magical properties - to protect against damage, the “bad eye,” and also from evil spirits. In the XII-XV centuries, they began to often embroider patterns made of rhombuses and hooks.

Diamonds with hooks in Russian embroidery of the 12th-15th centuries, click to enlarge (the picture shows: 1 - image of the embroidered cover on the icon “The Prepared Throne” attributed to A. Rublev, 15th century; 2 – pattern based on the embroidery on the frontispiece of the Moscow Gospel , XV century; 3 – image of embroidered clothing on the Yaroslavl icon of the Archangel Michael, late XIII century; 4 – embroidered gold braid from a treasure of the XII-XIII centuries.

Since all the materials needed for embroidery were very expensive, until about the XVII-XVIII centuries. n. e. this occupation was the prerogative of women from wealthy families, as well as nuns. After this turning point, ordinary peasant women began to engage in embroidery. They scrupulously sat over cross-stitching and dreamed since childhood of how they would get married in clothes they had embroidered with their own hands, having with them a dowry of embroidered things (blankets, pillows, towels, etc.).

In Rus', women usually embroidered with the following types of stitches: cross stitch, half-cross stitch, counted stitch, small white stitch, end-to-end sewing.

As for other countries, in Rome and Greece embroidery with gold threads was highly revered. These were incredibly luxurious ornaments, often decorating silk fabrics.

Embroidery today

Modern needlewomen have stopped paying such close attention to the meaning of ornaments and stitches, although the cross is still considered a good sign. Sometimes women embroider amulets for family and friends. But most often, embroidery is done for the soul - it smoothly migrated from a mystical activity to a hobby.

Now it is much easier to choose an interesting pattern, because there is a great opportunity to buy a book, a magazine with patterns, or ready-made ones. In ancient times, patterns were passed down by inheritance - from grandmother to mother, from mother to daughter, etc., and also, as they say, “from hand to hand” - for example, close friends often exchanged ready-made patterns.

Nowadays, such a direction as machine embroidery has appeared.

A brief excursion into history different types embroidery

Cross stitch appeared in the primitive age. This is the most popular type of embroidery, which gained great popularity with the advent of Christianity.
Satin embroidery first decorated canvas in China in the 1st-2nd centuries BC. This country has always been ahead of others in terms of handicrafts.
First embroidery gold threads According to legend, it belongs to the Phrygian kingdom (west of Asia Minor). It was also common in Rome and Greece.
Ribbon embroidery- property of France. It appeared in the second half of the 18th century and was a very favorite pastime of Louis XV.
Beadwork appeared around the time beads were made (the first beads appeared in Egypt around the 3rd millennium BC).
originally from France - it was there, in 1821, that the first embroidery machine appeared.
Richelieu embroidery appeared in Europe in the 17th century and was named after its “discoverer” - Cardinal Richelieu.

The art of sewing and embroidery has developed rapidly over thousands of years and has managed to turn into favorite activity many women around the world.

Attention! All articles on the website are the property of the site administration. Publication on other sites is possible only with an active hyperlink to the site.

Today, among many craftswomen, the art of embroidery is especially popular. Once of a purely domestic nature, embroidery has turned into one of the most wonderful hobbies, helping to create amazing motifs using simple threads and needles. Many thousands of years ago, primitive “needlewomen” came up with a wonderful way to attract attention - decorating outfits with embroidery. However, everything has its own backstory, and embroidery is no exception.

Once upon a time, our distant ancestors lived in caves, warmed themselves by fires, went hunting and had no idea what high fashion or a simple embroidered pattern was. They simply fastened scraps of skins together to create products that could cover the body and provide warmth. And here, perhaps quite by accident, one of the primitive fashionistas came up with the idea of decorating plain clothes in a very special way, using unusual, visible seams.

Time passed, new ways of creating a pattern on material appeared, the tools of the craftswomen changed and improved: the stone and bone awl was replaced by a thin needle, animal skins were replaced by elegant and light fabrics, and a simple line of threads turned into many different stitching options. The cross stitch has become and still is one of the most popular, which is probably why the history of cross stitch is one of the most interesting and educational.

Nowadays, decorating finished products with embroidery is especially popular. Embroidered products They not only look beautiful and unusual, but also help fashionistas express their individuality more clearly.

Of course, work done by the hands of a craftswoman is valued much more, but in our age of technological development, machine embroidery has become an alternative to hand embroidery.

Machine embroidery

Hand stitch embroidery

The motifs created by the skilled hands of embroiderers also changed over time. Once upon a time, clothes were decorated with amulets, the motives for which were taken from everyday life and the surrounding nature.

At the same time, all available materials were used in the work: hair, beautiful stones, beads, ribbons, shells, herbs and dried flowers. The preserved motifs of the works of needlewomen from the past are a real historical heritage, giving us a more complete understanding of the life of our distant ancestors.

Modern craftsmen have it much easier; in stores and on the Internet there is a huge selection of embroidery tools and various threads of various colors and shades.

Embroidery is not only a beauty created for the soul, but also a great opportunity to understand the customs of a particular people, get acquainted with their culture and values, and learn about the events that once happened to them. We can say that ancient works are a way of communication between nationalities and even entire generations, an attempt by ancestors to convey to their descendants the most important wisdom of life.

Where did this magical art come from? Scientists believe that the birthplace of embroidery is China. It was there that the most ancient works were discovered, dating back to the fifth century BC.

Time has passed, but embroidery is still visible in the interior and clothing modern people. Look around your home and you are sure to find embroidered items in the most unusual places. That is why this type of art stands alongside painting and sculpture.

The history of cross stitch in Rus'

What was the history of cross stitch in Rus'? The art of embroidery in Rus' has been known since time immemorial, and proof of this fact can be found in books. Whether you read fairy tales or works of classics, the needlewomen described in books were engaged in embroidery everywhere. Remember the same Frog Princess, who had to embroider a towel (in some versions of the fairy tale, a carpet or shirt) for the king as a gift overnight.

Girls were taught to hold a needle in their hand from the very beginning. early age, and by the time she grew up, the girl could already create works that were in no way inferior in beauty to the works of the fairy-tale princess. The finished canvases were decorated with motifs emphasizing the beauty and originality of Russian nature, the depth of rivers and lakes, the shade of forests and the expanse of fields. Looking at them, it’s hard not to fall in love with the unusual and Great Rus'.

However, the origin of embroidery in Rus' is of a deeper nature than a simple desire to brighten up life and look attractive. Cross stitch is one of the symbols of the life of our ancestors. For the Slavs, the cross has always been a talisman that helps ward off evil spirits and protect, and therefore craftswomen, armed with needles and threads, created real masterpieces on clothes and household items.

The beginning of the history of cross stitch among the Russians is not known for certain, but canvases found on the territory of the ancient state, dating from the ninth to twelfth centuries, indicate that already at that time the art of embroidery was not only developed, but was at the highest level. Most often, people decorated household items: sheets, bedspreads and tablecloths. Among the clothes, embroidery adorned hats, shirts and sundresses. Cross stitch occupied a special place on ritual items: wedding dresses, decorations for sacred trees and grave crosses, panels for decorating pagan temples.

Embroidering towels was also a responsible and painstaking task, since for our ancestors they played a greater role than for us. From the moment the young wife crossed the threshold of her husband's house, the family used only towels made by the hands of the new mistress. In addition, they were an integral attribute wedding celebration, icons were placed on them and the red corner of the huts was covered. This extremely important work was trusted only to the most skilled craftswomen, whose skills were simply amazing.

You should not think that the skill of our ancestors ended with the embroidery of Old Slavic symbols. The needlewomen did an excellent job depicting everyday scenes, animals and various landscapes.

In 988, the young Russian state took a huge step forward, overthrowing paganism and adopting Christianity, the symbol of which is also the cross. Thanks to this, the history of cross-stitching received further development, and works made using this technique became attributes of Orthodox life, taking their places of honor on iconostases and altars.

Products made at a certain time acquired particular value: work began at sunrise, and the last knot was tied with the last ray of the setting sun.

Since the supposed this period the scope of work was enormous: amulets for births, christenings, weddings and other significant events were made simultaneously by several embroiderers. It was believed that amulets made in this way acquired special magical properties and could not only help in everyday life, but even ward off fatal illnesses.

Cross stitch patterns carried a special, sacred meaning: hooks, ovals, diamonds - all these figures symbolized certain things found in everyday life. For example, a diamond with a hook was considered a symbol of fertility, just like the image of a unicorn. Only knowledgeable person, and today there are practically no such experts left.

If you look at the paintings of craftswomen of past centuries, you can see that the subjects for embroidery were not only motifs of everyday life, magical talismans, but also mysterious animals and creatures. Many works that have survived to this day were decorated with silver and gold threads, pearls and other precious stones, and embroidered on velvet and silk. As one of the types of needlework, cross stitch from the moment of its inception was considered an activity for noble people. The fact is that the materials used were simply beyond the means of ordinary people.

Finished products embroidered with silk and jewelry served as decoration for royal chambers, temples and churches. Unfortunately, only the names of a few embroiderers of that time became known to their ancestors.

One of the most skilled craftswomen of the 16th and 17th centuries was the daughter of Boris Godunov named Ksenia. Her works captivated not only the Tsar himself, but also all those who saw them at least once.

Much later, namely in the 18th century, embroidery became a common activity for village girls. Naturally, the materials and threads they used were much cheaper. However, despite the cheapness of the material and the absence of decorations, the work they embroidered was superior in its skill to many merchants. The girls made up for the lack of expensive stones, threads and pearls to decorate their works with their unsurpassed ability to select colors and emphasize the most important details in their works.

The history of cross stitch is very rich, and patterns embroidered using this technique decorated many things, including the bride's trousseau. They began to prepare a dowry for a girl from early childhood. Already at the age of seven or eight, peasant girls began to think about a wedding, because by the time of marriage it was necessary to prepare a lot of necessary things: clothes for holidays and everyday life, tablecloths, towels and other things that should have been enough for the first couple of years family life. Moreover, all products had to be made perfectly, because the very next day after the engagement, the bride had to present her dowry to the people.

This was done for a reason; this tradition helped the groom and his relatives to appreciate the neatness and hard work of the future relative. The most important attribute of the planned celebration is wedding dress, made by the hands of a Russian beauty, was an unusual sight and represented a riot of colors and superbly embroidered motifs. White in Rus' it was considered the color of purity and holiness and that is why it was not used as the basis of a wedding dress.

Regardless of who did the work, all embroidery can be divided into northern and central Russian. What is the difference between products made by masters of different latitudes? The fact is that craftsmen from different fields used different materials, colors and even motifs. Central Russian works are more colorful, both threads and warps. Northern peoples were more restrained, preferring white and red colors. Most often in their works they used embroidery techniques such as cross stitch, painting, white stitching, through sewing, as well as white and colored satin stitch.

One more distinctive feature embroidery of Central Russian craftswomen is the use of a mirror effect. The patterns they depict seem to be reflected in a mirror, repeating themselves several times. Cross stitch paintings involved depictions of female figures, lizards, snakes, roosters, chickens and other birds. In addition, colored parts of fabrics not covered with embroidery often acted as patterns. Most often, decorations were located in places of folds and seams on clothes, hems of sundresses and dresses, as well as along the edges of cuts. In their works, the craftswomen of the Central Russian latitudes were not limited to any one type of seam, just like the northerners, to give the product originality and uniqueness, they used such seams as satin stitch, goat stitch, braid, hemstitch, cross and others that have survived to this day .

Thanks to the research, it became known that the development of embroidery in Rus' was greatly influenced by the culture of Byzantium. Looking at the works of our ancestors, you can see that all their originality, originality and unusualness are the result of a mixture of many styles.

Despite the fact that cross stitch has a centuries-old history, it has not lost popularity today. And every year this hobby has more and more fans and admirers.

Cross stitch is one of the most original and sought-after types of art, which attracts many needlewomen. Cross stitch has long been used to decorate homes, shoes, and clothing. Over time, the art of cross stitch has improved more and more. Nowadays, cross stitching implies the art of decorating various fabrics and finished products with beautiful ornaments and a beautiful plot design. Embroidery can be done not only by hand, but also by machine embroidery. The preserved embroidery helps to feel the entire transmitted atmosphere of the past and fully appreciate its value for every nation.

Initially, embroidery was used for products that served as amulets, the motive for which was:

Natural patterns;
Motifs taken from everyday life;
Original ornaments.

Important! Before you start embroidery, you must first carefully study the history of its origin, as well as the peculiarities of each of the ornaments.

How did the history of cross stitching begin in Russia?

Initially, embroidery in Rus' was an activity exclusively for the elite, which included only representatives of the nobility and monks.

The material for the work was expensive fabrics, namely silk or velvet, as well as:

Silver and gold threads;
Pearl;
Precious stones.

Russian embroidery was very much influenced by Byzantium, so the interweaving of various styles can be seen in the works of craftswomen. Now cross stitch is moving to a completely new level and is in great demand.

Historical information about cross stitch: features and motives

Embroidery, like absolutely any other art, is characterized by the fact that it:

Represents the culture of a particular country;
National traditions;
Features of the region.

The historical background of cross stitch briefly talks about the national characteristics of each nation. Cross stitch was distinguished by its colors and patterns, which were widely used by craftswomen in their works. In those days, embroidery was used to decorate bed linen, curtains, clothes, towels and many other things. Embroidery was also often used to decorate the bride’s wedding dress.

Craftswomen embroidered the most real works of art in the East, using the most original and bizarre patterns that still fascinate with their extraordinary beauty.

Handmade cross stitch is now very highly valued and is equal to the value of precious stones and gold.

Stories of cross stitching: where it all began

For many people, cross stitch is not only a very interesting and exciting activity, but also an opportunity to decorate their home with beautiful products. A lot of time has passed since the appearance of this art, however, it does not lose its relevance even now.

Pictures for embroidery at different times varied greatly, because they were popular at different times:

Biblical motifs and patterns;
Floral ornaments;
Original images of various animals and birds.

Each pattern has its own specific symbolic meaning and is embroidered in a strictly defined color. There are many options for cross stitch, however, the most popular and in demand is a simple one-sided full cross stitch. With such embroidery, both the front and back sides turn out to be very neat. By following simple embroidery rules, you can make the finished product very beautiful and neat.

What is the history of cross stitch (video)

Everyone's favorite cross stitch has its own quite interesting history of the origin of this art form. In addition, each pattern and ornament used for embroidery has its own history of origin and designation.

It is found on many items of clothing and in home design components. This is not surprising, because it has always been common for man to decorate himself, his clothes and his home.

The history of embroidery begins in the ancient world, although the question of which country it first appeared in is still a matter of debate among archaeologists. According to some, embroidered patterns first appeared in ancient Asia, according to others - in Ancient Greece.

The fact that richly embroidered clothing and various household items appeared in Asia is evidenced by the records of ancient historians about the wars of Alexander the Great with the Persians. It was there that the young conqueror first saw tents embroidered with gold and ordered his craftsmen to make him the same ones. In ancient times, embroidery testified to social status family. The richer and brighter the pattern, the more expensive the clothing materials and embroidery threads, the higher the person’s position in society. The patterns used were mainly stylized plant and animal ornaments or religious symbols adopted by one or another people.

The history of embroidery has evolved and continues to evolve today. Over hundreds of years of its existence, depending on peoples, beliefs, fashion for depicting a pattern with threads on fabric or other materials, many seams have arisen and the pattern can be embroidered in one style, or depending on the skills and artistic taste of the master, it can be created using various textured threads and various techniques embroidery This combination gives the embroidery originality and charm.

The most popular embroidery is satin stitch. It can also be different: embroidering a design in one color most often comes as an addition to embroidery using the cutwork technique, usually done in white and called white satin stitch. The artistic surface with color transitions is very beautiful and quite difficult to execute. Counted stitch - the number of stitches is counted, and the length of the stitch is usually equal to the distance between the parallel sides of the pattern. Counted satin stitch is usually used when embroidering stylized ornaments that have small elements in their motif.

The history of satin stitch embroidery dates back to somewhere in the 3rd century. Satin stitch was considered embroidery for decorating the nobility and their homes, as well as for temple paintings with religious images. Gold and silver were used for this. The rest of the population gravitated more towards ornamental patterns and more simple techniques, such as cross stitch, half cross stitch, stem stitch, etc. The history of embroidery knows a lot interesting facts in its development. For example, at Slavic peoples In Rus' there was a belief: if you start embroidery at sunrise and finish it before sunset, then the thing with such a pattern will become a talisman or amulet for the person for whom it was intended.

In the last century, embroidery with ribbons or braid came into fashion. It is not very difficult to perform, but it requires certain skills and abilities, accuracy and patience from the craftswoman. But it is a mistake to think that this is a new stage in the development of embroidery techniques. The story begins in the 14th century in France. The hats and dresses of noble ladies were decorated with ribbons, then such patterns became so firmly in fashion that several hundred meters of silk or satin ribbons were spent on embroidering one dress.

The history of embroidery does not stand still. Talented needlewomen add rhinestones, beads, beads, pendants and other elements to the patterns, which help add uniqueness and elegance to the product, and make fashionistas look back.