EMBROIDERY, a work in gold, or sil ver, or silk thread, wrought by the needle upon cloth, stuff, or muslin, into various figures. In embroidering stuffs, the work is performed in a kind of loom, be cause the more the piece is stretched, the easier it is worked As to muslin, they spread it upon a pattern ready designed ; and sometimes, before it is stretched up on the pattern, it is starched, to make it more easy to handle. Embroidery on the loom is less tedious than the other, in which, while they work flowers, all the threads of the muslin, both lengthwise and breadthwise, must be continually counted ; but, on the other hand, this last is much richer in points, and susceptible of greater variety. Cloths too much mill ed are scarce susceptible of this orna ment, and in effect we seldom see them embroidered. The thinnest mishits are left for this purpose, and they are em broidered to the greatest perfection in Saxony ; in other parts of Europe, how ever, they embroider very prettily, and especially in France.
There are several kinds of embroidery ; as, 1. Embroidery on the stamp, where the figures are raised and rounded, hav ing cotton or parchment put under them, to support them. 2. Low embroidery, where the gold and silver lie low upon the sketch, and are stiched with silk of the same colour. 3. Guimped embroidery : this is performed either in gold or silver : they first make a sketch upon the cloth, then put on cut vellum, and afterwards sew on the gold and silver with silk thread ; in this kind of embroidery they often put gold and silver cord, tinsel, and spangles. 4. Embroidery on both sides ; that which appears on both sides of the stuff. 5. Plain embroidery, where the fi gures are flat and even, without cords, spangles, or other ornaments.