The February prompt for the Jane Austen Reading Challenge hosted by Canterbury Classics is to try your hand at needlework. Not only was needlework a very real part of Jane Austen’s life {and novels}, but February is also National Embroidery Month.
As I did a little research, looking for a good quote about Jane + needlework, I discovered our Jane was not only a gifted writer but was also talented with the needle. Her nephew’s quote goes on to say her sewing could stand up to that of a sewing machine, which I loved. There is so much we don’t know about Jane’s life and experiences, to know that she was known for her needlework feels like an informational gold nugget.
In years past {very past, ha}, I too picked up my needle in embroidering. Mostly text, and mostly in a simple backstitch – which, like Jane’s, could hold it’s own against a sewing machine. For this challenge, I considered diving into “freestyle” embroidery, but then I thought: let’s try something new, since it’s been so long anyway. My stash includes several beginner-level counted cross-stitch kits, and that seemed the perfect solution.
I think the results turned out quite well, considering it was my first-ever attempt! I had to deviate from the pattern a smidge, as a result of some thread breakage issues, and I got a row off, but I think it works. I’m considering framing it and adding it to the bookshelf decorations.
The next attempt will go smoother, and the one after that smoother still – after all, to paraphrase Lady Catherine’s reminder to Elizabeth {about the piano}, you must practice to become proficient. Though I will confess to being grateful I shan’t be judged by the quality of my work at this point in time.
In my research, I also found a fascinating article about embroidery and its role in Jane’s novels. I’m linking it, and a couple blog posts I enjoyed, in case you’d like to learn more.
Our life and society is so different from what Jane knew; we get to decide if we want to pick up a needle or not, and {thankfully!} our skills in that area are not used to determine our accomplishments or worth. It is a truer hobby for us, and one that I plan to explore further.
What about you? Do you embroider? Cross-stitch? Some other form of needlework/sewing?
Your project turned out so cute! My grandma taught me to embroider when I was little. Haven’t done anything with needlework in years!
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Thank you! 🥰 This was the first time I’d done this in many years, and it definitely got me wanting to do more 🪡
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Your project will look lovely on your bookcase 🥰 I never knew that Jane Austen was talented at needlework, what a lovely quote though. I also think you have a point about it being more of a hobby for us as as pick it up by choice, rather than it being expected by society. I’ve done cross stitch and attempted (but definitely need to start trying again) crotchet. I’ve saved a few embroidery designs that I’d like to try one day too though. I’d love to be able to add some flowers to various things. I’ve seen some stunning designs too.
I look forward to seeing what you try next. And I’ve had those thread breakage problems too. It’s so frustrating when they start knotting or fraying. Luckily most of my kits have had enough extras to get by. I think I’ve only had to go and buy extra thread once but it’s from the collection I use most and I have a couple of calenders of their designs so I’m sure the thread will be needed for some of those anyway.
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Thank you 🥰 And I didn’t know Jane was a needle whiz either! Learn something new every day 🙂
Glad I’m not the only one to fall prey to fraying breaking threads! All the letters were supposed to be the light yellow, but I knew I wouldn’t have enough for all of them so I pivoted – and made all the flowers red instead of multi, and used those for my letters, lol 🙂
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Very true 🥰
I think sometimes it’s how I separate them as I don’t always take them off the chart to get them so they can get in a tangle 🙈 aww well it looks lovely and I think it’s nice to have a variety of colours on the letters 🥰
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I had no idea February is National Embroidery month. I guess I should have started on my needlework. Your cross-stitch turned out so well. This is such an enjoyable post. Thanks for sharing!
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I did not know either, until Canterbury Classics mentioned it, haha
Thank you! ❤ It was a fun project 🙂
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[…] moment, and a little more snow. I shared my year-long crochet project, and dipped my toes into the cross-stitching waters. There were blooms admired, and our first official seed-starting […]
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