May Morris designs: 'the very soul and essence of beautiful embroidery'

Abstract

"May Morris (1862-1938) is recognised today as a pioneer of the Arts and Crafts movement, a leading exponent of decorative needlework and a campaigner for women artists. Despite being one of the foremost practitioners of her generation, it was designed that May described as "the very soul and essence of beautiful embroidery." One of the largest collections of May's designs, from roughly sketched ideas to finished patterns, is held by the Ashmolean Museum. This book showcases a selection of 25 of these designs, which are published here for the first time, positioning May's output within the artistic developments of the late nineteeth and early twentieth centuries as well as equipping embroiderers with the tools to create their own projects based on the work of this remarkable needlewoman."--Page 2 of cover.

Contents

May Morris and the revival of decorative needlework -- The elements of art embroidery -- From sketch to finished pattern.