The Art of Needlework dates from the earliest record of the world's
history, and has, also, from time immemorial been the support, comfort,
or employment of women of every rank and age. Day by day, it increases
its votaries, who enlarge and develop its various branches, so that any
addition and assistance in teaching or learning Needlework will be
welcomed by the Daughters of England, "wise of heart," who work
diligently with their hands.
The recent introduction of Point Lace has brought a finer, and,
apparently, more difficult class of fancy work into general favour.
Ladies may now, however, confidently commence, with our patterns before
them, to reproduce Antique laces; for care and patience, with a
knowledge of Point Lace stitches, are alone required to perfect the
beautiful work, which, as shown in existing specimens of exquisite Old
Lace, constitute the chief glory of women's refined industry in past
centuries.
INSTRUCTIONS in TATTING, in EMBROIDERY, in CROCHET, in KNITTING and
NETTING, in BERLIN WOOL WORK, in POINT LACE, and GUIPURE D'ART are
prefixed to the pages devoted to these separate branches of needlework.
The whole work is interspersed with coloured and other Patterns in Point
Lace, Guipure d'Art, Tatting, Embroidery, and Designs for Monograms and
Initials for marking handkerchiefs and table-linen. The quantity of
materials required for each class of work is also given with every
pattern.
The idea of combining a series of minute and exact instructions in fancy
needlework with useful patterns was conceived some years ago by one
whose life was devoted to the inculcation of the practical duties of
woman's life, and to assisting her sex in their daily work of HOUSEHOLD
MANAGEMENT and REFINEMENT.
Her great wish was that her BOOK OF NEEDLEWORK should be as valuable in
its way to her Countrywomen as her work upon Household Management was
useful in showing the best mode of providing for the diurnal wants of
families. Other hands have brought to a conclusion her original plans.
The best attainable workers have contributed to this volume. Only those
who knew the extent of the late Mrs. Beeton's design, will miss, in the
pages now before them, "the touch of a vanished hand."