By Therese De Dillmont
Published by Th. De Dillmont Editor: Alsace c1910
"
Encyclopedia of Needlework by Thérèse de Dillmont, published circa 1910 by Th. De Dillmont of Alsace, is one of the most enduring and comprehensive manuals ever produced on the domestic and decorative textile arts. First issued in the late 19th century and reprinted for decades thereafter, this richly detailed volume covers every branch of needlecraft—embroidery, crochet, knitting, lace-making, sewing, mending, and decorative stitching—accompanied by hundreds of finely engraved illustrations. Written with the precision of a true craftswoman, Dillmont's work bridges practical instruction with artistic refinement, making it both a teaching guide and a reference compendium for the serious needleworker.
Issued by the publishing house associated with the D.M.C. thread company, the Encyclopedia reflects the golden age of European craftsmanship and the domestic arts movement, when technical mastery and aesthetic taste were equally prized. Its clear diagrams, careful explanations, and emphasis on traditional techniques ensured it became a standard text for generations of embroiderers and lace-makers worldwide. The Alsace edition of around 1910 represents a particularly handsome printing, admired for its quality paper, crisp type, and faithful reproductions of Dillmont's original engravings.
A classic in the history of textile literature, Encyclopedia of Needlework remains a touchstone for historians, collectors, and practitioners of traditional craft. It will appeal to admirers of fine handwork, students of decorative arts, and those who appreciate the timeless elegance of early 20th-century instructional publishing."
