MENDING

Above is a loom woven linen coverlet from the early 19th century that I just finished working on. The wool would've originally have been a poppy red and is woven directly into the linen & looped over a twig or other tool to create the pretty tree pattern. This technique is boutonnée or candlewicking.
Candlewicking is also a form of whitework embroidery. The term comes from the resemblance that early materials would've had (unbleached muslin and unbleached cotton thread) to the braided thread formed into candle wicks. Contemporary candlewicking is generally heavy on the bleached white cottons and French Knots.

FRENCH KNOT


Below is a hand-hooked rug from French Canada that would've been made in the early part of the last century. The pattern & colours are so exquisite in this. And the back is at least as beautiful as the front - the mended spots were done by an early owner. I love them.

I added burlap to the two ends and rehooked where it had come unraveled and reinforced a number of areas in the interior that had come apart or loose. It's getting so brittle as it ages but the colour is hardly faded.