Vigo County Historical Society

Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - March 11, 1984
By Elizabeth Flauaus Brock
Vigo County Historical Society

Needle work based on perforated cardboard

The 19th century craftswoman combined her insatiable need for knick-knacks with her propensity for needlework to crate decorative and sometimes useful "elegancies" with perforated cardboard.

Bristol board, a cardboard of high rag count with a very smooth surface and a tough long-lasting quality, was perforated with equidistant round holes that ranged anywhere from 10 to 26 holes per inch. This grid of holes made it easy to use with the popular Berlin woolwork patterns. Perforated card was also available with patterns printed right on the surface.

Berlin wools of bright aniline colors or fine silk thread were used to stitch the cards. Beads of gold, silver or steel. shell and ribbons were used to embellish the sometimes already gaudy designs.

Since perforated card was a stiff canvas it readily lent itself to the construction of many three-dimensional items. Publications of the day such as " The Young Ladies Journal" and "Godey's Lady's book" included many examples of such projects along with many flat pieces.

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., has 12 examples of perforated card work on display in the Vigo Room.. The two pictured here are significant as fine examples of the craft. They also represent aspects of the Victorian era that are now passe.

The calling card holder is worked with a pinkzephyr wool in straight stitch. The three card pouches are cut along the edges to enhance the stitching and to give a vandyke appearance.

By viewing the back of the item one can see part of a pre-printed floral and script pattern that was disregarded by the artist.

Although floral and arabesque subjects were most prolific, mottoes were also quite the rage in all forms of 1800's needlery. Mottoes were framed in black walnut behind glass or sewn to satin or velvet ribbons for use as bookmarks.

The 9 inch by 3 inch motto card bearing the Bilblical quotation"Remember me" is attached to a very large fringed magenta ribbbon. The stylized lettering was worked diagonally in satin stitch using a fine variegated silk thread of colours complimenting the ribbon. Other stitches used to accent the script are done in variegated green

Sewmaker's Inc. of Baldwin, New York, is now producing patterns and perforated paper which are similar to originals like the ones on display in the local museum, for those who wish to try their hand at this once again popular craft.

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Friday. For more information, phone 235-9717 during open hours.