Modelbuch aller Art Nehens vn Stickens (Page 10v) 1535

This page from Christian Egenolff's "Model Book of All Sorts of Needlework and Embroidery," dating back to the 16th century, shows us the intersection of printmaking and textile arts. Printed on paper, the designs were created using a woodcut technique. Each line, carefully carved into the woodblock, would have been a testament to the skill of the block cutter, capable of translating an image into a repeatable form. The texture of the paper itself, though smooth, hints at its origin as a processed material, manufactured for the specific purpose of capturing these designs. These patterns, with their interlaced knots and floral motifs, speak to a culture where embroidery was a common practice, a means of both personal expression and economic activity. The book was intended as a guide, democratizing access to design and enabling wider participation in the crafts. By understanding the book as an artifact of production, we appreciate how prints acted as a vital link between design, craft, and the wider economy.