The Embroideress

I was asked recently about the use of acorns as a motif in needlework. I believe that the acorn on samplers possibly evolved from the use of the acorn as one of the suits on decks of early playing cards. The House of Cards site has an interesting article on the development of the various motifs used on playing cards.

I always urge folks to stand back and look at the "big picture" if they are researching a particular period of needlework and other uses of decorative motifs is an excellent place to look for a panoramic view. Look at printers, illustrators, metalworkers, leatherworkers, bookbinders, weavers, muralists, etc. when you want to "know" a period.