Design Card

1875-1922

Item

Dimensions: 153mm X 245mm

Royal School of Needlework: Created by the Royal School of Art Needlework as miniaturised versions of designs. Original designs were miniaturised and either traced or copied onto 'Design Cards' which were sent out to clients for next day approval. This was part of the work of the 'Painting Room' sometimes referred to as the Paintroom, the department responsible for all design and draftsmanship.

Design for crewelwork embroidery recorded in pencil on a Design Card. Labelled 'Border 1 side only' ' by 'P. W.', 'Jacobean filling and stitches', so a design intended for crewelwork often known as Jacobean crewelwork. P.W is initialled on other designs in the Royal School of Needlework and seems to refer to a designer who worked for the school in the Victorian period. This design comprises ten individual groups of Jacobean crewel style flower sprays (rose, daisy, tulip, peony?) with leaves and distinctive scrolling fronds. Hatching can be seen on one of the leaves possibly representing a crewelwork filling stitch like basket filling. Another petal shows dots which may represent another crewelwork filling stitch like seeding.

Stamped Painting Room

https://rsnstitchbank.org/stitch/seeding-stitch
https://rsnstitchbank.org/technique/crewelwork

Labelled by P. W.?, stamped 'Painting Room', in pencil ''by P.W. Jacobean filling and stitches" and "Border 1 side only" The card is printed 'Royal School of Art Needlework, Exhibition Road, London S.W.' at the top, and 'It is respectfully requested that designs sent for selection be not kept more than ONE CLEAR DAY and to prevent damage in the post should be returned in the cards sent herewith. It is found necessary to make a charge for replacing designs returned in a damaged condition' at the bottom

D1/064