. Art crafts for amateurs . with my own drawings, and thoughthis may be a disadvantage in one way, it has this gain, thatI can better illustrate my meaning than could any otherdesigner. The fault of so much needlework is that it is over-prettyand lacking character or distinction. One piece is so likeanother that ones attention is very rarely arrested. In theParis Exhibition this last year I found the most characteris-tic work in the exhibits of the lesser-known countries, such asFinland, Lapland, and the Balkan States. The exhibitsfrom the well-known European countries, including our ownare ju
. Art crafts for amateurs . with my own drawings, and thoughthis may be a disadvantage in one way, it has this gain, thatI can better illustrate my meaning than could any otherdesigner. The fault of so much needlework is that it is over-prettyand lacking character or distinction. One piece is so likeanother that ones attention is very rarely arrested. In theParis Exhibition this last year I found the most characteris-tic work in the exhibits of the lesser-known countries, such asFinland, Lapland, and the Balkan States. The exhibitsfrom the well-known European countries, including our ownare just what we expect to find, and what is so refreshing isto see that which comes as a surprise : it is like a new dishto the gourmet, and gives one a thrill of delight. .76 ART CRAFTS FOR AMATEURS. I rank needlework very high among the arts that adorneveryday life. It can be so beautiful in colour, and it canhardly help being delightful as work. The quality obtainedby stitching coloured threads upon a woven fabric is most I:. No. 120.—Example of Embroidery modelled on an old(Chiswick School of Art and Handicrafts.) work. pleasing to the senses, and as dyed wools and silks yield arich, soft and varied palette, there is no excuse for needle-work to be other than a pleasing harmony, and it may bemuch more than this. Colour comes before design, for if NEEDLEWORK. 177 the best design ever made is badly coloured—harsh andinharmonious in scheme—it is of far less worth than a poordesign in whichcolour plays itsproper role. Butthere is no reasonwhy design shouldnot be wedded tofine colour. Why is it thatmost old needle-work, even theschoolgirl sam-plers which folkhave lately takento collect, is morepleasing than thework of to-day ?Speaking off-hand,I should say thatthe older workerswere wholly con-cerned in skilfullycarrying out a de-sign with theirneedle, and, hav-ing but a verylimited knowledgeof art in general, kept well within bounds, and did not failby attempting too much : to
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