Mobile Menu

SYDNEY LIVING MUSEUMS

Search form

New
©
Embroidered ornaments. Thread Folk.

Embroidered Christmas ornaments

Artisan Encounters

Handcrafted objects have seen a surge in popularity recently. This festive season, jump on the new-wave craft bandwagon and learn how to embroider with a project inspired by Sydney Living Museums’ collection. Presenting the collection in a contemporary and relevant way, Libby Moore from Thread Folk guides you through the steps of creating three ornaments to adorn your Christmas tree.

Libby has drawn inspiration for this project from Beeton’s book of needlework, first published in 1870. Isabella Beeton, popularly known as Mrs Beeton, had a strong influence on the shaping of middle-class identity (particularly that of women) during the Victorian era. The book contains descriptions and instructions, illustrated with 600 engravings of tatting, crochet, knitting, netting, point lace and embroidery patterns. 

Known for her beautifully detailed and lush fibre creations, Libby has reinterpreted these historical designs and created a contemporary embroidery project that you can make at home. 

More about: Beeton's book of needlework consisting of descriptions and instructions, illustrated by six hundred engravings [Internet Archive]

 

Download the instructions below:

Cover image for instruction booklet with photo of ornaments.

Watch & learn

Libby Moore, Thread Folk

Libby is a self taught fibre artist, focusing mostly on hand embroidery. She creates modern embroidery patterns and kits through her business, Thread Folk, and also teaches embroidery and punch needle workshops around Australia. 

Learn more about Libby

This project is part of the Artisan Encounters program that celebrates contemporary artisans working across craft, food and trades. Focusing on goods produced by non-industrialised methods, often handed down through generations but now in danger of being lost, Artisan Encounters encourages discussion and conversation around old and new, past and present, place and provenance.