From the deceased estate of Margaret Howie, former EGV memberBrown felt bag with wool surface embroidery in muted tones Synthetic brown clasp Red felt interior 20th century, hungary, felt bag, wool surface embroidery, embroidery

Small purse of traditional Chinese design - surface embroidery in polychromatic silk thread. Design with citron, melon, bird and flower - black silk lined with blue.embroidery, surface stitchery, purses, bags, china

These were worked by Mrs Elma Wright before she joined the Guild.Set of three round mats (1 large, 2 small) in blue, grey linen. Each has a circle of flowers in surface embroidery in stranded cotton in shades of burgundy and pink.embroidery, surface stitchery, mats, 1840-60, australia

Probably embroidered by Mrs McHenryLinen cloth spoke stitch edge. Four different embroidered corners - grapes and leaves, stylized flower, rose, mythical beast. Two cut work, two surface embroidery.embroidery, surface stitchery, cutwork, table cloths, 1920-40, australia

Parents of donor lived in Scandinavia for a time. Piece is believed to be from Sweden or Finland.Two pieces of fine red wool fabric. Designed to be made into slippers, fine wool pieces in grey and cream are appliqued. Two fine braids have been couched, surface embroidery in satin stitch, chain, detached chain, and knots in gold and green thread probably silk complete the design.embroidery, surface stitchery, applique, slippers, 20th century, scandinavia

Fragment collected by Dr. Sweet when in Greece. Previously part of the Collection of Dr. Georgina Sweet, the first Lady Veterinarian in Victoria.Fragment of cloth, probably part of a skirt. Possibly Greek. White/Ecru cotton ground. Silk threads in reds, brown, green, rust, orange and cream. Half cross and straight stitches.embroidery, surface embroidery, fragment, greece, silk embroidery, european

From the collection of the late Dr. Georgina Sweet, who was the first woman veterinarian in Victoria and who travelled extensively in Middle Europe in the Early 20th century.Probably a cuff band. Silk embroidery thread in black and gold with touches of blue, red and turquoise. Needlewoven one edge in black and gold. Centre start, flower and other motif in stitched ground, other edge black and gold triangle patterns. Worked on a natural linen or cotton fabricembroidery, needle weaving, surface embroidery, czechoslovakia, hungary, garment

From the collection of the late Dr. Georgina Sweet, who was the first woman veterinarian in Victoria and who travelled extensively in Middle Europe in the Early 20th century.Small piece in natural wool or wool blend ground. Geometric motifs in brown silk and red and orange wool. Straight, stem, cross, Algerian edge and satin stitches.embroidery, surface embroidery, greece, fragment

Photograph in "Design in Embroidery" by Kathleen Whyte. Given to Jessie Dunne in 1987.Simple line stitches worked on linen scrim - cotton, linen, silk, sisal, wool etc. threads. Mounted on brown suede cloth.embroidery, surface embroidery, samplers, scotland, creative, 1960-80, panels

Estate of Kenneth Lay Antique Dealer High St Armadale - no provenancePainted Rural Scene of woodcutter and daughter with cottage in background Hand embellished silk surface embroidery with metal thread highlights 18th century, woodcutter, rural idyll, georgian silk embroidery

Altar frontal with three cartouches - painted faces and hands. Goldwork embroidery and applique with small sections of foliage in surface embroidery.ecclesiastical, gold work

Jenny Rowe says: This piece was inspired by some hand dyed threads, interesting fabrics and a piece called Soleil Rouge by Celcile Meraglia which I saw on Pinterest. I began by ironing various size circles and ovals on to the silk dupion backing. I then drew the lines that surround them and divided the spaces. These were worked by couching various threads and tapes, loads o chain stitch (my favourite) whipped, laced, over worked with running stitch in a contrasting colour or with buttonhole stitch worked into the side. Stitches used for the circles and filling include - fly , lazy daisy, Chinese and French knots, raised chain bands, up and down buttonhole, spider web, herringbone, feather, Palestrina, Roumanian and seed stitches. I used these as the whim took me and I kept going back and forth adding layers until I just had to say STOP! Finally I added a few cogs in a nod to steam punk, one of my favourite styles. It was a wonderful piece to use many different stitches and all those lovely threads in your stash. I had tremendous fun stitching this. Example of contemporary creative surface stitcherySilk dupion panel designed and embroidered with surface embroidery using many different stitches and threads. Embellished with metal cogs in a nod to steam punk style. floral, freeform, steam punk

Knotting was a popular pasttime for eighteenth century women, often made from luxury materials. Knotting uses a thicker thread to produce a cord for applique on surface embroideryKnotting shuttles were both elegant tools for display and leisureMother of Pearl knotting shuttle with floral design on top. Dot design border. Brass rivets and bone central block with a central hole. Incised decorative pattern flowers near centre, dotted form around edgesknotting, mother of pearl

Drawn thread and surface embroidery. Natural coloured linen. Very open drawn ground. Bars are formed by drawing threads and cording. Fabric left, not drawn creating a design of animals and trees.embroidery, drawn thread, table cloths, surface stitchery, animals, animal

Cream fine linen ground with white surface embroidery of dots and drawn thread semi-circles. Inserted handmade lace. Shape of collar in the 'sailor' style of the 19th and early 20th century.embroidery, lace, whitework, drawn fabric, late 19th century, collars

Knotting was a popular pasttime for eighteenth century women, often made from luxury materials. Knotting uses a thicker thread to produce a cord for applique on surface embroidery that thread can be fastened using the hole in the blocckKnotting shuttles were both elegant tools for display and leisureMother of Pearl knotting shuttle, Brass rivets and bone central block with a central hole. Undecorated bladesknotting, mother of pearl

Gift of the late Mrs Lily Louch, Murrumbeena in 16/8/1979.Fine linen ground with drawn-thread work in a border and a geometric design around three central Tenerife style squares. Surface embroidery of white roses and blossom. Possibly of Chinese workmanship made for the European trade.embroidery, drawn thread, mats, late 19th century, china

Used by peasant women when in Chador (local dress), the decorative corner is used as a viewing corner through which to view the passers-by without their own faces being seen.Pale blue linen (local) with hem stitched edge and self coloured surface embroidery. A band of drawn thread work with a lighted blue incorporated in the design, with one corner having a large area of the open work embroidery.embroidery, handkerchiefs, 1960-80, middle east, surface stitchery

Designed and worked by Mrs H.S. Williamson.These pieces show the use of different materials (even weave linen, fine linen and very fine linen) threads, stitches and designs suitable for ecclesiastical use. Very fine linen - surface embroidery various cross motifs, decorative hem finishes.embroidery, counted thread, surface stitchery, whitework, ecclesiastical, 1980-2000, england, samplers

Donation of the estate of Kenneth Lay Antique Dealer High St ArmadaleThree Priests under a Canopy with Jesus Christ on altar, surface embroidery in silk. Couched goldwork highlights, painted body of Christ ? cochineal. Priest/Bishop faces painted - under garment painted outline in now dark brown ink. In old wooden frame. 18th century, silk embroidery, gold work, renaissance, religious, jesus christ

White linen and white cutwork and surface embroidery tea cosy cover. Design of grape leaves and fruit and circles buttonholed, scalloped edging. Four pale blue satin ribbon tied sides. No inner pad which was usually part this style of cosy. Front and back the same. Trapezoid shape.embroidery, cutwork, renaissance, tea cosy, 1920-40, australia

Smocked full length lined coat, fine cream fabric, floral design on front and bottom edges. Cream silk surface embroidery and filled eyelets. Smocking on waist and cuff. 60 mm band of smocking at waist, embroidered collar. Bonnet with matching embroidery pattern, lace trim, frills and rosettes.embroidery, 1900-20, australia, smocking, surface stitchery, garments - childs

Bought for Guild by Lady Amies, and worked by her on her trip 1965-66.Hand woven linen, design of a circle with a lady inside, plus trees and plants. Lady embroidered in colours - pink, red, blue, gold and brown. Face stitched in circular stem stitch. Fringed border and rod through top.embroidery, surface stitchery, norway, 1960-80, flowers, lady, figure

Red and black surface stitchery on natural linen, with wool thread.embroidery, surface stitchery, cushion, 1940-60, southern europe

Pale yellow cotton with white rayon crocheted edge. One corner is embroidered with a nomadic Persian sitting over a cooking pot. Chain stitch edged in black.embroidery, surface stitchery, iran, napkin

Purchased by the donor in Athens in 1977.Modern Greek. Green linen with coloured design in surface stitchery. The pattern is a traditional design of a ship, people and animals.embroidery, surface stitchery, greece, 1960-80

Part of the Iranian collection selected by Lady Amies when on a trip in 1976. Prayer mat -local name safayeh. A mat of this design can only be used by Iranian men who have made a pilgrimage to Mecca and on which they place their small ecclesiastical pieces and earth when praying in public.Fine hand woven cream linen, embroidered with coloured silk threads, sprigs of flowers in centre with decorative border. The lining of spotted blue cotton and an edge of black binding.embroidery, surface stitchery, mats, 1960-80, middle east, iran

Part of a collection of Iranian embroideries, selected by Lady Amies on a trip in 1976.Loosely woven black material with pattern darning in red, orange, green and white plus other stitchery. Made to be attached to a plain bodice.embroidery, surface stitchery, iran, garments, 1960-80, middle east, pattern darning

Made by the donor's mother Mrs Lily McFarlane in 1966.Cream viyella matinee jacket with smocked cuffs and shoulders. A small spray of coloured flowers is embroidered on the bottom front corners.embroidery, surface stitchery, smocking, garments - childs, 1960-80, australia