Medieval Embroidery Stitches

Embroidery has long been an iconic decorative element in many cultures, with intricately hand-stitched clothing and religious objects as well as household objects signifying wealth and status.

In the Middle Ages, professional workshops and guilds arose to meet the demand for embroided clothing. Their work became known throughout Europe as Opus Anglicanum or English work, which became particularly renowned through royal and noble commissions.

Chain Stitch

Chain Stitch embroidery stitch is one of the most basic and straightforward to learn. It creates a thick, textured line which can be used for edging patterns, filling in appliques, bordering designs before they're sewn onto another fabric, as well as creating alphabet letters.

Chain stitch techniques are also great for hemming jeans and other garments. Try practicing on an old pair of jeans to hone your chain stitch technique!

Chain stitches come in two varieties, single chain stitch and detached chain stitch. Both techniques are straightforward to learn, making them the ideal choice for creating various effects on fabric. Once you understand how to execute a chain stitch, you can switch over to other embroidery stitches to achieve even greater versatility.

Chain stitches come in many variations, such as the zigzag chain stitch and checked chain stitch. Both of these are straightforward to create and add a splash of color to your embroidery design.

A zigzag chain stitch is created by making the first loop of the chain slant at a 45o angle away from the line. Repeat this process until you have created an impressive row of zig-zag chains that looks like cabled stitching.

Herringbone Stitch

The Herringbone Stitch is one of the oldest stitches and the foundation for many exquisite traditional embroideries. It's perfect for crazy quilting, patchwork projects and needlepoint too!

This stitch is composed of parallel running stitches and appears similar to herringbone cloth. This fabric pattern was popular during the Bronze Age (750-600 BC), as evidenced by brick roads from Rome during its reign.

This basic stitch can have many variations depending on how you work it and which thread color you choose. It's very straightforward to create, and looks especially eye-catching when done in a contrasting thread color.

Hemming with criss-cross stitching is a popular option, particularly for thick or knit (stretchy) fabrics or lined garments that need to be hemmed gently or have an angled hem. Not only does this help the layers flatten against each other, but it adds strength to the stitching as well.

This stitch is an easy one to learn and can be worked into most fabrics, including even-weave linen, silk, and cotton. It takes gentle curves well; however, it's best to plan out where the stitches will go before working them on a curve.

Split Stitch

Medieval embroiderers used split stitch in their work. This versatile stitch can be used for subtle shadings and miniature landscapes, as well as filling areas too large to handle using long and short stitch or satin stitch.

Fabric embroidery stitches can be used to create a fine line or jagged edge, taking curves well. They're easy to master and useful for many different projects.

The Split Stitch was an essential embroidery stitch used in medieval times. Not only was it popular among religious artwork, but its adaptability also led to its adoption into various non-religious cultures around the world.

In the Middle Ages, the Split Stitch was often employed to fill in forms on large embroidery motifs. It worked especially well on curved lines such as figures, hands and faces.

For rounded shapes, this technique was often worked in a spiral from the outline of the design towards its centre. It was also popular for creating borders around small medallions or framed images.

Similar to stem stitch, but instead of passing between threads it passes through one strand. This creates a braid-like texture. Perfect for delicate outlining projects such as small embroidery flowers and leaves, this stitch has its roots in embroidery history.

Bayeux Stitch

The Bayeux Stitch is one of the most commonly employed medieval embroidery stitches. It's particularly useful for covering large areas with stitching. The Bayeux Tapestry, an iconic example of this technique, was one of Europe's greatest works of art during this era.

The Bayeux tapestry (UK: /baI'je:, beI-/; French: Tapisserie de Bayeux [tapisRi d@ bajo] or La Telle du Conquest; Latin: Tapete Baiocense), an immense wool-on-linen embroidery depicting the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, is considered to be one of the most valuable medieval documents and a treasured source of historical information. It measures 230 feet long by 1.5 feet wide.

Embroidery was a beloved pastime in Anglo-Saxon England, and women were particularly skilled at it. Employing these techniques, they adorned their homes and other textiles with intricate designs.

As well as serving as decoration, embroidery was also used to convey one's status and wealth. Both the Domesday Book and 12th-century chronicle Liber Eliensis praise embroidery as a commendable occupation for high-ranking women.

The Bayeux Stitch can be a little challenging to master, so it's wise to practice on some scrap fabric first. Start by knotting or running stitches around the design area you wish to cover, then work your way out from there. Eventually, you will be able to fill in all of your design with just one single stitch!

Convent Stitch

Embroidery was widely used during the medieval era to decorate cloth and other items. It was particularly popular among noble women as well as religious communities like nuns and monks.

Medieval European embroidery frequently featured themes like nature and animals, biblical stories and courtly love. Additionally, it included geometric patterns, gold and silver threading.

The Bayeux tapestry is an outstanding example of embroidery used to express these themes. It uses tent stitch and colored silk threads, creating a vibrant design on linen ground fabric.

Convent stitch was also widely used during the Elizabethan era in England for bed valances and cushions. Not only was it fast and straightforward to work with, but its refined appearance gave the finished item a timeless aesthetic.

Convent embroidery was an important source of income for the women living there and an expression of their spiritual beliefs. Many convents had extensive libraries with designs for garments, samplers and other projects; these designs featured angels, cherubim and saints alongside religious teachings and church symbols.

Underside Couching

Underside couching is an iconic embroidery technique popular throughout the medieval era. This durable technique produces a pliable surface and permits use of many different embroidery threads.

Underside couched designs can be quite stunning, and can be created using various threads such as silk or cotton. However, it's essential that the threads be uniform in size and spaced correctly to avoid looking disjointed or irregular.

This stitch can be used with contrasting thread colors and defining stitches to create visual interest. Match the thread color to the cord color so they work as a contrast, or work with invisible thread so the cords become the main focus of your piece.

This cost-effective stitch can be applied to virtually any embroidery project. Try it on ribbons or metal threads for an amazingly beautiful result!

One example of this technique can be seen on the Mantle of Philip of Swabia from the early 12th or 13th century. It depicts Christ and Mary embroidered in goldwork, couched through to the back fabric. The gold is held securely by a loop of linen thread brought from one side and thick cotton thread added underneath for padding.

Inuyasha Manga Vs Anime

Inuyasha, the iconic manga and anime series, has become an essential piece of our culture, providing many with their first introduction to anime. It's dark, complex, and beautiful in equal measures - leaving a lasting impression on many.

Kagome, a young girl, accidentally switches timelines and is transported back in time to an ancient world of gods and demons. There she meets Inuyasha - an adorable anthropomorphic demon dog.

Characters

Characters in Inuyasha manga are a major reason for its immense success. It's one of the world's most beloved and beloved mangas, with an international fan base that extends far beyond its intended audience.

Inuyasha manga is renowned for its monster-killing storyline, but it also has a romantic subplot that many fans find captivating. This romantic aspect sets inuyasha apart from other Shonen manga which typically revolve around killing demons or monsters and are usually targeted towards teenage or pre-teen boys.

In the anime, Inuyasha and Kagome's romance is depicted differently than it does in the manga. For example, they often kiss in the anime whereas they rarely did so in the manga. This makes sense, as it shows how deeply these two care about one another.

Another major distinction is that the manga gives Kagome more character development and growth than her anime counterparts do. She doesn't undergo as much heartbreak or angst as they do, and she has a stronger sense of right and wrong than theirs does.

Kikyo plays an integral role in the story and she has much to offer. She acts as a mentor to Kagome and they share an intense emotional bond.

She also exhibits a strong sense of duty, always striving to save those she cares about. This makes her an engaging character to watch and an excellent addition to the main cast of characters.

Kagome is not alone in being one of anime's great characters, however there are other wonderful characters such as Miroku and Sesshomaru. Both characters possess great potential and make for entertaining viewing, however they don't get nearly the amount of development or screen time as Inuyasha and Kagome do.

The mirror demon is an integral character in the anime, and she offers much to offer. She can draw out all of Inuyasha's sword Tetsusaiga's full power, enabling him to fight in his half-demon state.

Plot

In the manga series, the main story arc follows Sango and her two-tailed nekomata Kirara as they embark on a quest to battle against Demon King Naraku. Additionally, viewers get to witness Sango and her two-tailed nekomata Sango fighting alongside each other in battle.

Kagome's appearance in the past is of crucial importance, as she is the reincarnation of Kikyo, Inuyasha's love interest fifty years prior. With her power to perform Kikyo's magic - pulling an arrow from Inuyasha's chest and returning him from the Time Tree - Kagome plays a pivotal role.

She is a fierce character who will do whatever it takes to accomplish her objectives. For instance, she attacks Naraku because she wants him gone and not just because Inuyasha needs protection; in fact, she feels no remorse about fighting for him even when he's not present.

The anime series Inuyasha revolves more around the relationship between Inuyasha and Kagome, making it have a more romantic subplot than its manga counterpart does. This topic of conversation among dedicated Inuyasha fans often leads to discussions at conventions where those who appreciate the series can discuss and share their insights on this beloved subplot.

Another difference between anime and manga is how characters are portrayed. Unlike in manga, where many are evil, in anime they tend to be shown as genuinely good people. This makes them more believable and the storyline more captivating.

Kikyou is often painted as a bad person, yet she truly isn't and should be treated with respect. Kagome on the other hand seems strong and determined without any of those "do I like him or not" feelings that many assume she must experience.

The original manga series also features an array of memorable characters. Inuyasha's friends Shippo and Miroku, as well as Kagome and her companions (especially Nekomata), provide amusing comedy relief throughout the storyline - especially during later episodes when Inuyasha and Naraku's main battles are near completion.

Anime Style

The anime style is a beloved art form that can be applied to various drawings. Its distinctive characteristics include facial anatomy, hair, head size and figure height.

Drawing anime art can be an incredibly creative and captivating experience, which is why so many artists around the world draw inspiration from it. Whether it's classic Japanese Ghibli style or Junji Ito's horror creature renditions, these styles have endured over time and become so iconic that millions attempt to copy them.

Anime style can be divided into five main types: shonen, shojo, seinen, josei and kodomomuke. Each style caters to a particular audience and has its own distinct look.

Shonen anime is targeted towards teens and young adults, featuring high school stories with intense emotions. While simpler than shojo anime, it still features plenty of action and romance. Furthermore, the theme tends to focus on friendships triumphing over evil.

Seinen anime is similar to shonen, but it focuses on teenage men. Characters tend to be more complex and there's often plenty of teenage emotion to deal with. These stories tend to target an older audience and may include adult themes like violence or sexuality.

Some years back, Megan Takahashi created the manga Inuyasha. Since then, it has become one of the most renowned mangas ever created.

It has been adapted into anime several times and earned several awards for its story. Even today, fans still praise the series for its captivating romance and stunning soundtrack.

Another aspect of the anime that has won fans over is Inuyasha and Kagome's relationship. Although it takes some time for them to get to know each other, eventually they fall in love.

Ultimately, anime is the better option for those seeking a more detailed story with more characters than what manga offers. Though there are some drawbacks such as its shorter runtime compared to an anime, this doesn't stop it from being an incredible series nonetheless.

Final Words

Inuyasha is a Japanese manga series written by Rumiko Takahashi and adapted for anime by Sunrise. Initially airing for 167 episodes from October 16th 2000 until September 13th 2004, this adaptation proved hugely popular both in Japan and America, spawning four theatrical releases that remain one of the world's most beloved anime series today.

It follows the adventures of Inuyasha, a half dog-demon and half human. Together with his friends, he searches for the Sacred Jewel of Four Souls. Initially published as weekly Shonen magazines, the series eventually evolved into an extensive manga series published in fifty-six volumes by publisher Shogakukan.

The main characters of Inuyasha include Kagome Higurashi, a female wolf demon named Kagome Higurashi, Miroku the young boy and Sango the girl. The manga takes place in Japan and follows their lives as they journey through time to defeat demons and monsters.

While Inuyasha and his gang are traveling to the mountain where Naraku is hiding, they come across a group of demons trying to create another Sacred Jewel. Inuyasha is shocked that their leader is half-demon, as well as realizing they all seek out Tetsusaiga - which Inuyasha believes holds the key to unlocking Naraku's power.

Later, A wolf demon named Ayame appears and reminds Koga of his promise to marry her years ago. This sparks an internal conflict between them as Ayame is disgusted by Koga's affection for Kagome.

One storyline involving the Band of Seven involves Ginkotsu, Jakotsu, Suikotsu and Renkotsu's reunion with Bankotsu, their former master who they executed fifty years earlier. Both parties are eager to settle their differences with the samurai that killed them but Bankotsu wants to protect his greatsword Banryu. He attempts to kill them but is hindered by a powerful purifying barrier which has affected Shippo and Kirara as well.

Inuyasha and his group then travel to Kaede's village, where they discover Kohaku unconscious. The jewel shard he has in his neck has become contaminated with Magatsuhi, a demonic spirit. No matter how hard Inuyasha and his men try, they cannot purify it from Magatsuhi's influence.