The Dutch roots of embroidery on paper
Posted on Sunday, August 31st, 2008
I have been designing stitching cards for over ten years but the origins of the craft go back much further. The first mention that I can find about stitching cards is by Dutch designer Erica Fortgens. She started writing books with instructions and patterns for making stitching cards in the early 1990s.
In the forward to her book “Embroidery on Paper” Erica Fortgens tells how she got started. She made forty small dinner cards with gold embroidery for a birthday party. The cards turned out to be very popular and she continued to make more embroidery patterns. Erica produced a number of books on the craft of “Borduren op Papier” in Dutch and published in the Netherlands. When they were later translated into English the craft was called Embroidery on Paper.
The first prick and stitch kits were marketed in Holland by thread and wool manufacturer Madeira during the 1990s. Their trade name was Pickpoints and the instructions were in Dutch.
In 1997 I helped develop stitching kits with English instructions for Card Inspirations. These were marketed under the trade name of Form-A-Lines. The Form-A-Lines collection has grown over the years and there are now dozens of prick and stitch kits to choose from.
I launched the Stitching Cards web site in 2004 with patterns available as downloads directly to your computer. There are now over 200 patterns in the Stitching Cards range.
When did you first start making prick and stitch cards? If you have been making them for years let me know by adding a comment to this post.
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I love the stitching cards.. have been making them for just over a year, after seeing them at a local craft fair, where I was exhibiting wax art.
I have been stitching cards for around 4 years. I really love the art. I make all my own greeting cards for every occasion. Keep up the good work.
I started in 2002 after buying my first F-A-L kit at craft exhibition held at Alexandra Palace. Since buying this kit I have also managed to create few on my own design but not as good as Davids. I am really hooked on the technique!!!
In February 2006, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had to go to Rimouski for chemotherapy treatments and this is where I first heard of embroidery on paper through workshops volunteer workers had for the patients that were interested. I loved it from the start. When I returned home (in Gaspe, 400 km from Rimouski), I wanted to find out more about card making and through Internet I discovered your Websites.
I make beautiful cards for all occasions for family and friends and everyone of them has his or her own way to save the cards I make for them. I am very lucky to have found your websites (Stitching, Form-A-Lines,etc.).
Thanks.
Has anyone heard anything about Erica Fortgens changing the date of her new book from February to next July? What’s up, anyone know?
It depends where you are Char. “New Designs, New Projects for Embroidery on Paper” by Erica Fortgens was published in the UK by Search Press Ltd on 21 January 2009. A USA edition is scheduled for July 2009.
Thanks DJ. I can hardly wait. Maybe I should order from the UK !?
Being Dutch I can tell you that in the fifties these prick and stitch cards were already around.
They were however more for children as a step up for “real” needlework.
I have made video about stitching of peacock in embroidery-on-paper technique. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16fqbrJyFRc
Simply beautiful….. well done Alex!
Please can you tell me where you got the Peacock pattern from !
Jasu