The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-01
ARTINRICHMOND
of Bcr-ieH Berry Grahor.k.

Studio. Delincator, woman's Home
displays interestingly the processes
through which necdlcwork design
pa sses before 1t may be adapted to the
needs of publication.
Mrs. Grabowski has exhibited work
and received mentions. prizes or medals
In nearly all of the large expositions
held In recent wears. Many OF her
pieces of embroidery. having filled or
aers, are now now in her possession.
One piece OF unusual interest a COPY
Of an ancient ecclesiastical vestment
torms part of an historic embroidery
exhibit in the Metropolitan Museum
New York.
The exhibition at the Art Club will
be on View until Wednesday evening,
February T.
History of Necdiework.
On the opening day of the exhibit
tion-last Tuesday-Mrs. Grabowski
save lecture in which she spoke OF
the History. Art and Business OF
Ncedlcwork."
Lace and embroidery. said Mrs. era
bowski were the outcome of mend
ing and patching. When the finely
woven linen or wooden garments of the
priests and those in high authority In
ancient times became frayed or thread
them and to knot the threads. In or
der to avoid the appearance of patch
work, the darning and knotting was
done in designs. and whole parts of the
cloth were decorated with darning. TO
accord with the worn parts. Patches
were cut out in shapes. and applied
with fancy stitches, at intervals, or in
borders. Thus grew embroidery, and
the first principles of lace, which is
drawn thread work, whether fine or
heavy. A necessity grew into an art,
and an art into commodity. En-
broidery is mentioned in the writings
of Hcrodotus, Pliny. Josephus. and even
by the Prophet Ezekiel. In the early
centuries of the Christian era, en-
broidery was much used for vestments
and church furnishings. The twelfth
century is famed for its needlework.
Throughout Europe especially in Ire
land and England, wonderful ecclesias-
teal embroideries were made, and
many phases of the art developed.
Anecdotes of Ethelrida, Queen and
Abbcss of ELY, of Adelhair, wife OF
Hugh Capet, and of Catherine OF
Medici were related by Mrs. Grabow
ski, giving quaint touches to the re-
view.
The Technique of NeedIework.
The technique of needlework, as de-
acrlbed by an expert is shown to have
scope of no. small proportions If
there are fifty different ways of con-
structing, tribal lays" there seem to
be numberless ways of constructing
national embroderies. Intricate
stitches. special color schemes, varied
materials lend endless diversity to this
art.
Mrs. Grabowsi<i's Work az n Journalist.
The art of needlework. as practiced
by Mrs. Grabowski does not consist
solely in producing the work, but also
in passing her knowledge on to others.
For many years. through the pages
of the leading magazines of this coun-
try, and even in foreign publications,
Mrs. Grabowski has practically con-
Quoted a school in needlework, it's his
tory and practice. Through this chan
mel it has become possible for workers
In this medium to have brought to
their homes descriptions and pictures
Of rare old needlework. as well as the
latest inventions and combinations In
modern workmanship. The CORES
oondence attendant upon editing a
needlework page Is very large--no less
than 5000 applications being some
times made for N single design.
Trained Judgment on the subject of
designs and of craft forms n distinc-
tive part of the duties of profess
uional In the art of needlework Law
suits have been known to be decided
by, an expert opinion as TO tho age