If you have not discovered Internet Archive for seeking out public domain publications on all kinds of topics – including needlework, design, and just about anything else – you should explore it some day!
Often, when I’m looking up information in old books, I’ll come across references to earlier publications that I’d never be able to see in person, except when I can find those references online in places like Internet Archive.
And often when I’m looking up something specific on Internet Archive, I’ll stumble across a little gem here and there that I find inspirational, interesting, amusing, or helpful.
Not long ago, I came across this book by Peter Jessen called Der Ornamentstich. It’s in German, but if you like exploring these old books and you don’t know the language, sometimes Google Translate can be a good helper.
And hey! If you’re just there for the pictures, that’s ok, too!
This book caught my eye because the title is The Ornamental Stitch. I expected to find a lot more about ornamental stitching than I did, but there are some really nice little gems in the book, as far as images go.
I especially like the needle lace designs. If you’re into the Italian needle laces, you might find some good inspiration here!
And while there’s not a lot, design-wise, in the book that would translate that great into surface embroidery, there are a few morsels. I like this panel, above! That corner motif offers a lot of possibilities.
Although the book isn’t a vast resource, I still found it entertaining to browse through. I’m not a huge fan of over-Baroqued design, artwork, and whatnot, but I still like looking at it! I find some of it amusing, some of it overpowering, some of it delightful, and some just Downright Odd. If you browse through the book, you’ll know what I mean!
Hope you enjoy browsing! Have a lovely weekend!
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