Cutwork embroidery patterns were passed on to each other, and they were transformed. Each craftswoman brought her own motives and elements into the embroidery patterns, her secrets appeared in the execution technique. Especially in this embroidery, French and Italian women have succeeded.

Embroidery was the privilege of the nobility. Luxurious collars, frills, cuffs, gloves, handkerchiefs made of thin linen, decorated with openwork patterns, could be worn by nobles and court nobility. Table and bed linen, as well as numerous interior items, adorned the apartments and palaces of wealthy people.



The nobles themselves did not hesitate to sit at needlework, which, according to art historians, was named after Cardinal Richelieu. You remember, of course, what kind of character was presented in the novels of A. Dumas, whose prototype was Cardinal Richelieu ...

Openwork embroidery captivated everyone, and therefore women's schools and workshops were opened in Europe. Most of the patterns consisted of floral motifs. Some of them had smooth breeches, in others brides with the addition of original loops, which were called pico. Pico gave the product even more expressiveness and emphasized the lace background. The outer edge was often shaped like scallops.





And what about Cardinal Richelieu? There were many legends around his name ... In fact, he was an outstanding statesman, the first minister at the court king of france Louis XIII.

Lace in Europe was extremely valued and was a hot commodity. But in this matter, Italy occupied a dominant position, where lace business had long been developed, due to the fact that many sea trade routes passed through Italian cities, along which goods from everywhere, including from the East, passed.

Cardinal Richelieu was a patriot of France, and therefore contributed to the development of his country. He imposed heavy duties on many goods imported into France, including lace.

And he also invited the best lace-makers in Italy, created all the conditions for them to live in the country, so that they teach the art of embroidery to French women, who themselves were good lace-makers, because weaving and embroidery lace products passed from one country to another for a long time. Having familiarized themselves with Italian craftsmanship, French lace makers gradually introduced their own flavor and originality in the execution of cutwork products.

And soon France became a leader in the production of lace and openwork embroidery. The cardinal, like many other nobles, most likely wore at that time fashionable lace collars, cuffs and gloves, and they even claim that he himself loved to sit at this needlework, and was quite successful in this business. No matter what they say, it only follows that he was involved in embroidery.



Embroidery today remains one of the most beautiful and noble. Recently, many designers are enthusiastically considering images decorated with embroidery, including cutwork embroidery.



Embroidery can be done on any fabric, but if you are a beginner needlewoman, it is better to take a dense fabric in which the weave threads are clearly visible. The color of the fabric and threads can be in the same tone or in a contrasting one. The thickness of the threads should be matched to the density of the fabric.



Today it is difficult to say how great was the role of the cardinal in the spread of lace embroidery in France, but during Richelieu's tenure as first minister, France turned into a state with which neighboring countries had to reckon with, and she challenged many ruling dynasties.

A real cardinal, unlike the cardinal of adventure novels, saved hundreds of lives of brave, strong, young and healthy people - he forbade duels. The cardinal contrasted religious contradictions with national unity. Unfortunately, all his real deeds have remained known only to real historians, while the inhabitants of all countries know Cardinal Richelieu through the prism of the adventures of A. Dumas, written by him two centuries later.

But cutwork embroidery can charm any of us, and it looks noble and effective.