A few months ago, I participated in an online discussion of the book Jane Austen Embroidery: Regency Patterns Reimagined for Modern Stitchers during a meeting of the Jane Austen Society of North America (MN Chapter).
The author introduces the book by saying:
“We all know that Jane Austen was an accomplished novelist. Less well known is that she was also a talented stitcher, as at home holding a needle in her hand as she was wielding a pen. In an 1870 biography of his aunt, James Edward Austen-Leigh described her as ‘successful with everything that she attempted with her fingers’, whether she was plotting her novels, playing games with her nephews and nieces, or working at her needle.”
At least three examples of Jane Austen’s work survive, including the beautiful quilt she created with her sister and mother, which I posted about here.
Her needlework was exquisite.”
—Constance Hill, Jane Austen: Her Home and Her Friends
Sadly, I am not a needlewoman, but I bought the book so I could participate in the discussion. I enjoyed reading about the importance of needlework in previous centuries, and related quotes from Austen’s letters and novels. I especially enjoyed looking at the beautiful photographs of embroidery samples and patterns.
The book includes historical embroidery patterns repurposed into modern sewing projects, like an evening bag, a muslin shawl, an apron, a floral napkin set and tablecloth, as well as other pretty, practical items.
Do you like to sew or embroider? If you are interested in this book, leave a comment (with your email address), and I will happily send my copy to one responder. I am sure a devoted needlewoman will enjoy this lovely book and get more use of it than I will. 🙂
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That is so fascinating. I love when they mention needlework in books as well. I crochet mostly but am learning to sew some. This book would be beautiful and very enjoyable to have! 😀 Thanks for sharing, Julie! 😀
Glad you found it interesting. Thanks for commenting, Sabrina!
Julie, this is one of those skills that takes practice. Though I am more likely to pick up a crochet hook than an embroidery needle right now, your article reminds me of the many happy hours I spent creating gifts for loved ones. Seriously, you should learn a few basic stitches and give it a try!
Have a blessed day!
I used to enjoy crocheting when I was younger. Like you, I’d be more apt to try that again vs. picking up a needle. 🙂
I have done a bezillion counted cross stitch pieces, my favorites being Samplers. I no longer do cross stitch simply because it’s impossible and expensive to frame everything and I have moved on to crochet and knitting. I enjoy looking at early American samplers, the work is exquisite. Thanks for the opportunity to win. Linda
Thanks for responding, Linda. I’d love to see one of your samplers.
Fascinating! I love when heroines in books spend their time in needlework since I can relate 😊 I love to sew, I may not be a seamstress per se but love to sew nonetheless. I learned some embroidery when young but haven’t practice much but I remembered being enjoyable. That lovely book will be fascinating to have! Thank you for sharing and have a blessed day! 😉
Glad you found it interesting, Ivonne. Thanks for commenting.
I have been doing counted cross stitch for many years and am always fascinated by samplers and embroidery workd done many years ago.
Thanks for being here, Ruth.
Oh this is so interesting!!! I’ve dabbled a bit in embroidery… it would be neat to try something historical! 😍
Glad you liked it, Charity. Thanks for your comment.
Oh goodness this would be fun to learn so I can teach my girls how to do it as well. Raise kids on good old fashioned techniques!
Sounds like a good plan, Amy. I know a 13-year-old who knits, spins, and much more and she’s a great kid.
How cool that the patterns of our dear Jane’s time have been reimagined for our own! I haven’t done any embroidery for years, because it’s not much used or valued in a 21st century America. But lately I’ve been thinking more about the health benefits of that type of handwork, and was just telling my daughter last night that I need to take it back up again.
Hi Patrice. Glad you found the post timely. Hope you are well.
That’s look absolutely fascinating! I love seeing the things people used to make back when society placed more value on the beautiful and unique. I tend more towards knitting, but have done counter cross stitch and embroidery. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Elizabeth. Glad you found it interesting, too.
What a lovely book! I have done cross stitch for years, and am venturing into hardanger work soon!
Thanks, Erica. I have no idea…what’s “hardanger work”?
It’s a type of needlework that originated in Scandinavia. It’s very symmetrical, as you count threads, use a satin overstitch to form squares, and then carefully remove the threads inside the square. It’s very pretty, and I am so new at it, that it still makes me nervous!
I’ll look forward to seeing some of your work!
I used to belong to a group called embroiders guild of america..we met once a month and worked on our projects and learned new techniques..hardanger was one of them..very beautiful and a bit challenging..I just didn’t have the patience to master it..enjoy!! 💖
Jane Austen was the reason I ever fell in love with embroidery in the first place!
Interesting! From the mentions of needlework in her novels, or…?
Yes, I do needlework. My mother taught me to embroider when I was a child. I also did crewel work snd needlepoint. As an adult, I joined a needlework class called Danish needlework (taught by a woman from Holland), which turned out to be what was later called counted cross stitch. I love cross stitch and do it to this day. My daughter has become an avid cross stitcher, and is amazing. Her work looks like paintings.
I would love a copy of this book! Thank you for the giveaway.
Hi Betty. Sounds like you and your daughter are very talented!
As a college student back home because of covid, I embarked on my first embroidery adventure with a Michael’s sampler. Now, I love embroidering anything from sneakers to sweatshirts to backpacks!
Sounds good, Olivia. I’d love to see something you’ve made.
Oh wow. I would love a book like that. I’ve got the first piece of needlework I ever did when I was about 5. My mom taught me how to do basic embroidery on pillow cases later on. I recently picked it back up and am teaching myself to incorporate it into textile art.
That’s great, Anne. What a keepsake!
I’ve always loved needlework..sometimes I can get so caught up in it just like reading where it is hard to put down..I’ve recently purchased a Jane Austin devotional which I love and did not know there was one in regards to her needlework..baker book house is going to be my bff!! Lol lol lol (wink wink)
Hope you enjoy the devotional, Diana. I did!
My mother taught me to sew, embroider and do other handwork when I was young. I pretty much always have something going. I am currently repairing a quilt that my mother and grandmother quilted when they were snowed in for 5 weeks during the blizzard of 1949. However, one of my favorite pieces is a picture embroidered with silk floss that was started by my great grandmother. I finished it probably 60 years after she died. She was the first Charlotte in the family and I am the last one.
Those sound like amazing projects, Charlotte!
Yes, I enjoy embroidery & sewing!
Thanks for commenting, Barb.
As a teenager I did a lot of embroidery. But my real love is quilting. I have been quilting for over 35 years. It is something that I am passionate about. The book looks lovely.
That’s great, Jocelyn. The idea of quilting seems overwhelming to me. I’m impressed!
I started knitting and embroidery at the age of ten or eleven and I can now somewhat use a sewing machine. One of my favorite times of the day is sitting down with my yarn and needles and working on my newest project! There is something soothing about the repetition and a finished project is always deeply satisfying.
Thank you, Tessa. Might have to give one of my characters that trait!
The embroidery is beautiful! I have done embroidery in the past, not so much in the last few years. I recently purchased an embroidery machine and am having so much fun with it! Thanks for the giveaway! It would be awesome to win!
Thank you for commenting, Kathy. Glad you are enjoying your new machine!
Yes, I sew, embroidery, cross stitch, crochet, etc. I’m embroidery a tablecloth right now.
Sounds lovely, Lucy. I’d love to see it when it’s done.
I did some cross-stitch when I was younger and could see up close better 😜. Now I stick to using my sewing machine and do some crocheting.
This book would be fascinating to me.
I hear you, Connie. My eyes aren’t what they once were either. 😉
I had no idea that Jane Austen was an accomplished needlewoman! I shouldn’t be surprised! I cross-stitch and love it. I’d love to learn embroidery!
Thanks, Emily. Glad to know you learned something new.
I have done embroidery in the past , especially when I first got married 52 years ago. I even put some embroidery on a blouse or two that I sewed. The last thing I did was counted cross stitch. I mostly sew and craft and string beads for jewelry now.
paulamarys49ATgmailDOTcom
Thanks, Paula. You sound very crafty…and I mean that in the best possible way. 🙂
When you considered there were no malls, chain stores, on-line ordering — just the local seamstresses and in larger cities some stores for fabric and related goods, you realize the only way to bring decoration to your clothing, table, home is to create it yourself. It is no wonder they were excellent needlewomen for not only the details but the underlying item.
Excellent points, Marie. Thank you.
The winner of the book is: Alyssa M. Thanks to everyone for all the great comments!
Beautiful!
“Hi Becky, Please add me to the give away for the Jane Austen embroidery book. My husband and I greatly enjoy all the Austen books and most of the movies. Did you know that many children who failed to thrive when given wheat flour gew stronger when alternatives were used during war. Later it was discovered that the children might have had Celiac Sprue. Thanks. Jan” -from Goodreads
I would love to have this book! I have been trying to crochet this past year and it doesn’t seem to be working out for me. The finer sewing may just fit the bill! My teen daughter loves to knit, crochet and I would love to introduce her to this as well! I pray you select us. Everything we make is donated or gifted. Thank you so much for your kind and generous offer.