Page 5 - Emb-FloralBorders

Introduction

W elcome to the first volume in the Victorian Embroidery Patterns series: Elegant Floral

Borders. This collection brings you 374 beautiful patterns for borders, edges, and
continuous patterns (often used as “insertions” in Victorian days). You’ll find both
realistic and abstract flower designs, as well as designs for leaves and plants.
In Victorian times, these patterns would have been used to ornament skirts and blouses,
handkerchiefs, children’s garments, household décor such as curtains and tablecloths, pillows
and chair covers, and more. “Outline” patterns might be worked in chain stitch, or used for
the application of braid to clothing or other items (such as slippers!). We’ve included patterns
worked on net and lace as inspiration for today’s needlework applications.
These patterns come from a host of the best women’s and family magazines of the Victorian
era, including Godey’s Lady’s Book, Peterson’s Magazine, Ingalls’ Home Magazine, The
Ladies’ Home Journal, The Girl’s Own Paper (UK), Cassell’s Family Magazine (UK),
Demorest, and many others. Please note that any captions or instructions are part of the original
image.
Since “scale” was rarely relevant in the original illustrations (which might be printed at any
size according to how much space was on the page), these patterns cannot be said to be “in
scale.” Rather, they can be enlarged or reduced as needed, according to the project at hand.
They are printed on one side of the page for ease of use – but to make life even easier, we’ve
set up a free download of all the patterns in this book, at their full original sizes. Most of these
patterns are available at 600 dpi, making them suitable for nearly any project! Please see the
end of the book for the download link.
These and hundreds of other Victorian needlework patterns are also available in our
Victorian Embroidery Pattern Package, at victorianvoices.net/clipart/misc/embroidery.shtml
Happy stitching!

—Moira Allen, Editor
VictorianVoices.net