I hate to be that person (history is my job, after all), but Catherine of Aragon didn't invent cross stitch, but she did (probably) increase the popularity of blackwork in England. Blackwork traveled to the Iberian peninsula via Muslim merchants in the Middle Ages. Blackwork was very popular in medieval Islamic textiles, which had a huge influence on the Christian Spanish textiles when they conqured the region. It was actually called the Spanish Stitch because she brought it from Spain. And the movable type printing press was invented in the mid-15th century.
Interesting take on the history of cross stitch, but unfortunately not entirely accurate and I'd like to provide some corrections. Catherine of Aragon - first wife of Henry 8th - not 7th - as others have pointed out - brought blackwork with her from Spain on her garments. She did not "invent" it, but more likely should be credited for raising its profile within England as what we would now call an "influencer" LOL. and therefore making it popular during Tudor times. Even Chaucer, in his Canterbury Tales, mentions blackwork on garments some 100 years before the reign of Henry 8th. Tapestries were woven, not stitched. I'd also like to direct you to the history of Assisi Embroidery which has a combination of different types of cross stitch and blackwork. Lastly, the first printing press was invented in 1450....
I can recommend a brilliant article by the late Jo Verso on The Cross Stitch guild's website, under the section "Threads of History" for anyone who wants to read deeper into this.
Hi Elayne, thanks for the mini history lesson about crossstitch. But Catherine of Aragon was married to King Henry the 8th. Regardless I'm not surprised to hear that she invented the little crosses as she must have been a very patient queen having been married to such a huge filanderer! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your Tidbit of Cross Stitch history. I found it interesting and now I will pursue more cross stitch history. Thanks for all the time you share with us. Hugs
I have a handmade book that my great great aunt Florence stitched at finishing school in the very early 1900s. She learned all kinds of stitching and kept and preserved samples! It’s so precious to me.
Thanks for the history lesson Elayne. I did some embroidery and needlepoint when I was a kid, but didn't start cross stitching until my mid 20's (mid to late 70's). I am amazed at the fabric, floss and designs available to us today! I love history and find the history of all needle and fiber arts fascinating! ❤️
I love history, so I found this very interesting. I had no idea Catherine of Aragon invented cross stitch! I'm starting to appreciate samplers more and more.
Catherine of Aragin, I believe, was married to Henry VIII. This was very interesting. I've been stitching since the mid 1980's. Still an aida stitcher and primarily samplers.
I enjoyed the history of cross stitch throughout time. Being a history major in college, I want to point out that Catherine of Aragon was the first wife of Henry VIII. I didn’t realize Zweigart has been around for so long and that the company created Aida. Thanks! It’s always fun to learn something new.
Thank you for this history lesson of cross-stitch. I didn’t know Catherine had started the stitching long ago. I remember stitching in the early seventies to eighties and Aida was the only available fabric at that time. It is wonderful how the craft has evolved and become very popular. Looking forward to meeting you in person in November❤️
Thank you for the history, very interesting. I think the history of the samplers are so interesting. Also I wanted to mention that there is a convention center, I believe, in Middlebury, Indiana or Shipshewana, Indiana. These towns are ten minutes from each other and they are Amish towns. There are many really neat shops and delicious restaurants that you will eat Menmonite/Amish recipes. Anyhow if you ever need another location for a stitchy retreat these two towns maybe a great place. The gals would most likely enjoy the shops and food in the area. I encourage you to look up these two towns to see what they have to offer. The girls will get a glimpse of the Amish in there buggies. They are all over. There is a huge flea market on Tuesdays and Wednesdays if they want to come early. I believe there are some cross stitching shops further away but not sure the distance, if you want to look those up. I live in Ohio and Middlebury is an hour and ten minutes from us and we go to the big Amish/Mennonite restaurant all the time to have their broasted chicken at the food bar, it is to die for. Just a suggestion, I would definitely attend! Thank you!
I hate to be that person (history is my job, after all), but Catherine of Aragon didn't invent cross stitch, but she did (probably) increase the popularity of blackwork in England. Blackwork traveled to the Iberian peninsula via Muslim merchants in the Middle Ages. Blackwork was very popular in medieval Islamic textiles, which had a huge influence on the Christian Spanish textiles when they conqured the region. It was actually called the Spanish Stitch because she brought it from Spain. And the movable type printing press was invented in the mid-15th century.
Interesting take on the history of cross stitch, but unfortunately not entirely accurate and I'd like to provide some corrections. Catherine of Aragon - first wife of Henry 8th - not 7th - as others have pointed out - brought blackwork with her from Spain on her garments. She did not "invent" it, but more likely should be credited for raising its profile within England as what we would now call an "influencer" LOL. and therefore making it popular during Tudor times. Even Chaucer, in his Canterbury Tales, mentions blackwork on garments some 100 years before the reign of Henry 8th. Tapestries were woven, not stitched. I'd also like to direct you to the history of Assisi Embroidery which has a combination of different types of cross stitch and blackwork. Lastly, the first printing press was invented in 1450....
I can recommend a brilliant article by the late Jo Verso on The Cross Stitch guild's website, under the section "Threads of History" for anyone who wants to read deeper into this.
Hi Elayne, thanks for the mini history lesson about crossstitch. But Catherine of Aragon was married to King Henry the 8th. Regardless I'm not surprised to hear that she invented the little crosses as she must have been a very patient queen having been married to such a huge filanderer! Thanks for sharing!
And she actually had a greater entitlement to the English throne
, through her lineage to John Gaunt, than Henry VIII!
I was about to say, but I just wasn’t confident enough so I came to the comments first! Lol
Thank you for your Tidbit of Cross Stitch history. I found it interesting and now I will pursue more cross stitch history. Thanks for all the time you share with us. Hugs
I have a handmade book that my great great aunt Florence stitched at finishing school in the very early 1900s. She learned all kinds of stitching and kept and preserved samples! It’s so precious to me.
Wow. What a treasure ❤️
I loved this episode! So much information! Thank you for taking the time to do this video!
love this !!!! I was an eighties lady , too....my kids were small and I did pieces for their rooms!!!!
Wow I love history and this was so interesting!!
Thanks for the history lesson Elayne. I did some embroidery and needlepoint when I was a kid, but didn't start cross stitching until my mid 20's (mid to late 70's). I am amazed at the fabric, floss and designs available to us today! I love history and find the history of all needle and fiber arts fascinating! ❤️
Thank you for the wonderful video.
Just to clear up a few points Catherine was the first wife of Henry the Eighth and printing press was invented in 1436.
Enjoyed learning about cross-stitch history! Thank you!
I love history, so I found this very interesting. I had no idea Catherine of Aragon invented cross stitch! I'm starting to appreciate samplers more and more.
I Really Enjoyed this Tuesday Tip. Thank You For Sharing With Everyone.
That was wonderful hearing about the history of cross stitch.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a great week and holiday weekend. 🐰🐇🐰🐇
Thank you
I certainly did enjoy it!!
Thank you for info of Cross Stitch Elayne! Very interesting!
Thank you. Very interesting.
Thank you for sharing❣🥰 Happy Easter and Spring❣🥰🤗
Great information
Very good and very interesting! I hope you will provide us with more information like this ... ex. history of different types of floss. Thank you!
Thank you for the history Elayne. Very interesting.
Catherine of Aragin, I believe, was married to Henry VIII.
This was very interesting. I've been stitching since the mid 1980's. Still an aida stitcher and primarily samplers.
Thanks for this information.🌺🌺🌺
Katherine of Aragon - the true queen! This is fantastic information! Thank you.
What a fun video!
Hi Elayne! Thanks for the great information. I love history stuff. I hope you have a great day! 💐🌹
Thanks for the information. I love history and very interesting 🤔
Very interesting to hear the history! Thanks
I have a quilt made by my husbands great great great (?) grandmother who was a slave. It needs restoration. Badly.
What a treasure!
I enjoyed the history of cross stitch throughout time. Being a history major in college, I want to point out that Catherine of Aragon was the first wife of Henry VIII. I didn’t realize Zweigart has been around for so long and that the company created Aida. Thanks! It’s always fun to learn something new.
Love it!!
Thank you for this history lesson of cross-stitch. I didn’t know Catherine had started the stitching long ago. I remember stitching in the early seventies to eighties and Aida was the only available fabric at that time. It is wonderful how the craft has evolved and become very popular. Looking forward to meeting you in person in November❤️
Catherine did not. This video is poorly researched.
That was way cool info! Thank you
Thanks Elayne!!! I enjoyed that!!!
Very interesting. Thanks for the information.
Thank you so much for the history lesson it was wonderful
Love all your videos!
Love history. Very interesting video
Very interesting....thank you....
Thank you for the history, very interesting. I think the history of the samplers are so interesting. Also I wanted to mention that there is a convention center, I believe, in Middlebury, Indiana or Shipshewana, Indiana. These towns are ten minutes from each other and they are Amish towns. There are many really neat shops and delicious restaurants that you will eat Menmonite/Amish recipes. Anyhow if you ever need another location for a stitchy retreat these two towns maybe a great place. The gals would most likely enjoy the shops and food in the area. I encourage you to look up these two towns to see what they have to offer. The girls will get a glimpse of the Amish in there buggies. They are all over. There is a huge flea market on Tuesdays and Wednesdays if they want to come early. I believe there are some cross stitching shops further away but not sure the distance, if you want to look those up. I live in Ohio and Middlebury is an hour and ten minutes from us and we go to the big Amish/Mennonite restaurant all the time to have their broasted chicken at the food bar, it is to die for. Just a suggestion, I would definitely attend! Thank you!
Katherine of Aragon was the wife of Henry the Eighth, not the Seventh. Your information was interesting.
Thanks. It was fun to research.
❤❤❤
Catherine of Aragon was the first wife of Henry the 8th. Not 7th. Otherwise this was a fascinating video.