For usage on drapery and upholstery, a unique type of embroidery known as crewel is performed with a sharp hook. Chain stitch rows executed with a sharp hook create solid patterns that often rotate from the center and produce an embossed appearance to enhance the textile’s richness further. Crewel is applied to the commonly used thick fabric for furniture and typically features wavy floral and creeper patterns. Hand-woven Cotton Dosooti Fabric, Cotton Duck, Linen, Jute, and other thick materials are among them.
The Crew embroidery created a dazzling and long-lasting material for draperies and upholstery using thick woolen yarn and pointed crochet. In either single or double-ply wool, every needlework is done by hand. Designs are offered in various color options, from embroidery in just one color to embroidery in many colors.
The amount of embroidery on the cloth affects the pricing. The material comes in rolls 25 or 28 meters long and 52 or 54 inches wide. Additionally, the design makes available bedspreads and cushion covers in various sizes.
Wool embroidery, often known as crewel, has been around for generations. The name “crewel” comes from an ancient Welsh word for wool. The word did not refer to the type of embroidery; rather, it described the wool yarn used for stitching.
For this form of embroidery, thick wools were traditionally used, but today there are many different yarns and threads to pick from, depending on the desired effect.
Despite being the hardest stitchery method to master, crewel is perfect for cushions, curtains, garments, and wall hangings. Stitchers can make an endless variety of shapes by using tightly woven fabrics. In crewel embroidery, various stitches can be used; various stitches give the finished piece texture and dimension. The stitcher fills in or outlines each region once the pattern has been screen printed in outline form on the fabric.
What Makes Crewel Embroidery Different?
The classic motifs or the stitches themselves are frequently mentioned when discussing the various embroidery techniques as what distinguishes one style from another. The materials, particularly the wool threads or skeins, distinguish crewel embroidery from other types of embroidery. The 2-ply wool thread known as crewel, used in authentic crewel embroidery, gives the embroidery its name.
Materials Need for Crewel Embroidery
Crewel Embroidery Threads
Choosing the proper thread is a good place to start because the wool yarn gives crewel its distinctive look.
Crewel wool is almost always identified as such and is typically two-ply, though it can also be one-ply. This thread is much thinner than tapestry wool and is not separated like regular cotton embroidery floss.
Crewel Embroidery Fabric
For crewel embroidery, linen and linen twill are the most popular materials. These fabrics feature a tight weave that holds the threads in place yet leaves room for the passage of the bulkier crewel wool. Additionally, they are strong materials that provide a solid foundation for all wool stitches.
Crewel may only be distinguished by its use of wool thread; nevertheless, the fabric can be made of various materials, so feel free to experiment. Do a few experiments with the thread before settling on a fabric type, regardless of what you decide.
Crewel Embroidery Needle
Crewel needles feature a big eye and a point that is quite sharp. The eye permits the crewel wool’s thickness to flow through while dealing with multiple pieces simultaneously. The pointed tip works well for cutting through cloth and the wool left over from previous stitches.
These are often found with other embroidery needles and are marked as crewel embroidery needles.
Care Need For Crewel Embroidery:
Crewel embroidery is a delicate art form that requires careful maintenance. Your fabric could get soiled over time, necessitating cleaning. To prevent dye bleed from the embroidery yarns, it is recommended that most crewel textiles be professionally dry cleaned. White-on-white materials can be hand washed and spin-dried at home without risk. However, before making that choice, you should carefully consider ironing out the wrinkles.
Overall, it is best to let specialists handle the cleaning. Even though it could be expensive, your cloth will appear brand new after washing.