This section brings you a host of articles on specific embroidery projects, either for individual items or for a class of item such as "linens" or "chair cushions." One thing you'll soon discover as you explore these pages is the number of patterns for "pianoforte backs." It has been said that Victorians were such prudes that they didn't even want the legs of their pianos to be seen, but since they had no such qualms about table legs or chair legs, this seems unlikely. I suspect the real appeal of such projects was that it provided a large canvas upon which to create a gorgeous work of art.

Chess Table Cover, by Mrs. Pullan (Peterson's, 1856)

Embroidered Collar (Peterson's, 1856)

Lamp Mat in Application [Applique], by Mlle. Defour (Peterson's, 1856)

Netted Scarf for Evening Wear, by Mrs. Pullan (Peterson's, 1856)

Doll Pin-Cushion, by Mrs. Jane Weaver (Peterson's Magazine, 1865)

[Embroidered] Hand-Screen, by Mrs. Jane Weaver (Peterson's Magazine, 1865)

Knitting-Bag, by Mrs. Jane Weaver (Peterson's Magazine, 1865)

Ladies' Cravat, by Mrs. Jane Weaver (Peterson's Magazine, 1865)

The "Little Companion" [doll], by Mrs. Jane Weaver (Peterson's Magazine, 1865)

Strawberry Pen-Wiper, by Mrs. Jane Weaver (Peterson's Magazine, 1865)

Fancy Work: Traveling Work-Case for Women (Demorest, 1873)

Perforated Card Work and Cardboard Ornaments, by Mrs. C.S. Jones & Henry Williams (Household Elegancies, 1875)

One of my fond childhood memories (and quite possibly a reason I got hooked on embroidery) was a set of heavy perforated cards that one could embroider with cross-stitch. In Victorian days you could obtain perforated cardboard for needlework to cut and design a myriad of projects, from baskets to lamp shades.

Embroidered House and Table Linen, by Dora de Blaquière (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1878)

How to Dress Dolls, by Dora Hope (Girl's Own Paper, 1880)

Art Embroidery (Harper's Monthly, 1881A)

Making and Working a Blotting Case, by Fred Miller (Girl's Own Paper, 1882)

Finishing Touches, by Janett Ruez Rets (Demorest, 1882)

Home Art and Home Comfort, by Hetta L.H. Ward (Demorest, 1882)

Screens and How to Make Them, by Dora Hope (Girl's Own Paper, 1882)

Small Articles Made with Plush, Satin Sheeting, Satin Merveilleux, and Piece Linen, by Blanche C. Saward (Girl's Own Paper, 1883)

Home Art and Home Comfort, by Hetta L.H. Ward (Demorest, 1884)

How to Make Banners and Flags (Girl's Own Paper, 1884)

Useful Novelties in Fancy Work (Girl's Own Paper, 1885)

Bag for Holding Patches (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1888)

Chairs and Cushions, by Lida and M.J. Clarkson (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1888)

Fashionable Bags and Their Uses, by B.C. Saward (Girl's Own Paper, 1888)

Sachets, by Ruth Hubbard (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1888)

Some Pretty Novelties, by Lida and M.J. Clarkson (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1888)

Artistic Designs for Patchwork Quilts and Sofa-Pillow (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Autumn-Leaf Design for Embroidery or Painting (Needle & Brush, 1889)

A full-size pattern.

A Case for Knitting Needles (Needle & Brush, 1889)

A Couple of Carriage Robes (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Decoration of Daisies [and Azaleas] in Oils (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Two full-size patterns suitable for painting or embroidery.

Drapery Fringe (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Fancy Book-Cover, and Cases for Books and Engravings (Needle & Brush, 1889)

For and About the Work-Table (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Ideas for workbags.

Frame and Cases for Photographs (Needle & Brush, 1889)

An Inexpensive Screen (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Piano Covers (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Pincushions (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Sachets (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Scrim Cushion-Cover (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Tennis Racket Cover (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Three-Fold Screen and Designs for Decorating It (Needle & Brush, 1889)

New Fancy Work, by Natalie Sturges (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1889)

Dainty Needlework for the Table (Ladies' Home Journal, 1892)

Centerpieces, mats and doilies.

Four Useful Articles Made from One Yard of Holland, by Annie Thornley (Girl's Own Paper, 1892)

A Group of Artistic Portiers, by Margaret Sims (Ladies' Home Journal, 1892)

A Group of Sofa Cushions, by Maude Haywood (Ladies' Home Journal, 1892)

Designs for embroidery, tinting and painting.

Ideas in Artistic Needlework (Ladies' Home Journal, 1892)

Needle-work Suggestions for the Holidays (Ladies' Home Journal, 1892)

Pillows and Pillow-Making, by Blanche C. Saward (Girl's Own Paper, 1892)

Pincushions, by Blanche C. Saward (Girl's Own Paper, 1892)

Some Graceful Embroidery Designs, by Maude Haywood (Ladies' Home Journal, 1892)

Embroidered Book-Covers, by E. Crossley (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1894)

Ornamental Napery (Demorest, 1894)

Beautiful embroidery designs for home linens.

Rag-Doll-Making, by Blanche C. Saward (Girl's Own Paper, 1894)

[Splasher and Mats] A Pretty Wedding or Birthday Gift, by Annie Thornley (Girl's Own Paper, 1894)

Beautified House-Linen, by Ellen T. Masters (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1895)

Some lovely embroidery patterns for linen embroidery.

[Bag] For the Guest of a Night, by "Cousin Lil" (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

Convenient Work-Bag, by "Cousin Lil" (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

Embroidered Table Draperies, by Cora Scott Waring (Ladies Home Journal, 1896)

Table centerpieces and doilies.

For Handy Fingers to Make (Ladies Home Journal, 1896)

New Parisian Knick-Knacks, by Leirion Clifford (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

A Pretty Boot Pocket, by Pamela Bullock (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

A Traveling Glove-Case, by Cousin Lil (Girl's Own Paper, 1896)

A Folding Screen and a Lampshade (Girl's Own Paper, 1897)

Linen Bag, by "Cousin Lil" (Girl's Own Paper, 1897)

Motto Work-Bag, by "Cousin Lil" (Girl's Own Paper, 1897)

An Overtowel in Linen Canvas (Girl's Own Paper, 1897)

Cretonne Knick-Knacks, by Josepha Crane (Girl's Own Paper, 1898)

Household Linens as Christmas Gifts, by Emma M. Hooper (Ladies Home Journal, 1898)

A New Idea for Treating a Piano Back, by Fred Miller (Girl's Own Paper, 1898)

Dainty Scent Sachet in Satin (Girl's Own Paper, 1899)

An Embroidered Pianoforte Back (1899)

Folding-Up Work Case, by Cousin Lil (Girl's Own Paper, 1899)

Our Art Needlework Competition (Girl's Own Paper, 1899)

Patterns designed for an embroidery competition, with tips on materials and techniques.

Combined Cushion and Chair Back in Embroidery (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

The Needlework of Wartime, by Dora de Blaquière (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

A Painted and Embroidered Photo Frame; A Sofa Cushion of Gauze and Lace (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

Centre-Piece Embroidery (Girl's Own Paper, 1901)

Screen Embroidery, by Fred Miller (Girl's Own Paper, 1902)

See also:

• Embroidery Basics

• Embroidery Styles

• Fabric Painting

• Quilting

• Mixed Crafts Columns