Crewel Embroidery 1935 - 1942

Suzanne Chapman created this crewel embroidery. Here, colorful wool threads dance across a plain-weave fabric in a variety of stitches, building up a fanciful garden scene. Crewel embroidery is named for the type of yarn typically used: two-ply wool. This flexible material is ideal for creating flowing lines and subtle shading, as seen in the botanical motifs. The process involves stretching the fabric taut on a frame, then using a needle to apply the designs, stitch by stitch. These techniques involve skills passed down through generations. While embroidery has often been seen as 'women's work', the immense time involved in its production meant that it has often been the preserve of the wealthy. This example is no exception. It speaks to the social context of leisure and refinement in which the artist operated. Thinking about the materials, the making, and the historical moment really opens up the work, challenging any simple distinction between 'art' and 'craft'.