Reticello Embroidery - Learn here what you need to know!

Legend, history and Reticello embroidery

Do you want to know more about the Reticello embroidery, a beautiful Italian technique of embroidery in "cut point"?

The legend of Reticello embroidery

Una An ancient Italian legend tells of a beautiful young woman who, seeing a spider weaving its threads and transforming them into beautiful silver flowers, tried to imitate it and threw fine threads into her embroidery work.. That image that nature presented and that it had offered to his eyes gave rise to the first embroidery designs. Later, the women of that time realized the enormous economic potential of Reticello embroidery and gave rise to the first forms of teaching this art.

What is the history of Reticello embroidery?

Reticello - is a technique that dates back to 1400. Perhaps the first appearance of the name (dot to redexelo) was in 1493, when the property was divided between the sisters Angela and Ippolita Sforza-Visconti. However, to find it in risk books you have to wait until 1591 and Vecellio's models, even then generically called "cut point".

The first book with patterns for Reticello embroidery was written by Mathio Pagan, "Novo pequeno jardim cutting points for "gropposi" for the army and ornament for women". The book was published in Venice, not by chance. The Reticello was embroidered almost entirely in Venice, by the Venetians, in the second half of the XNUMXth century and in the early years of the XNUMXth century, although it gradually spread throughout Italy, with some small variations.

Reticello embroidery went through a period of decline in its production of fine lace, and it was later rediscovered for use in tablecloths, where the combination of white point embroidery is perfect!

At the end of the XNUMXth century, books began to be reprinted, especially Elisa Ricci. Historians find it difficult to reproduce Reticello's wonderful drawings today, but with the International Embroidery Exchange of Lee Albrecht We took a big step to rescue embroidery with art in the World!

The technique used

The Reticello is a needlepoint embroidery that brings refinement to any piece. Imagine having this lace embroidery on bags, table runners, cushions, blankets, dresses, etc. It uses an embroidery technique in a part of the weft and warp threads, which is characterized by the creation of a mesh of threads on the fabric and the creation of geometric and lace patterns.

In Reticello embroidery the threads are cut in both directions in the fabric - vertically and horizontally - at regular intervals and then the darning is executed in the bars, forming a grid and within these grids the geometric motifs are included, generally triangles or squares.

Right away, new appliques are added like flowers, leaves and others.

This is how the technique developed and the spaces began to enlarge and with less fabric, the lines began to build increasingly complex and articulated figures.

At this point, the jump to a new technique was very easy: the fabric is removed, and a temporary paper support is used and with the help of small stitches we begin to execute the Reticello like needlepoint with stitches in the air.

Creative images to inspire you:

Makings:

• fine cotton fabric
• cotton embroidery thread
• embroidery needle
• Scissors
• Reticello Design Template
• Marker

Reticello embroidery step by step:

Here we present an example of how to knit Reticello embroidery:

1. Draw the template of the Reticello design on the fabric with a marker. Make sure the design is large enough to be visible.
2. Create a mesh of threads in the fabric. To do this, use an embroidery needle and thread to make small stitches back and forth across the fabric, parallel, evenly spaced about 5mm apart. Then, make additional stitches to connect the rows of parallel stitches and create the mesh of threads.
3. Weaves the mesh of threads into a specific geometric pattern. Use a cotton embroidery thread in a color that contrasts with the fabric to make the embroidery more visible. Follow the pattern you have previously drawn and make even, firm stitches.
4. Continue knitting the pattern, following the lines of the mesh of threads you have created. Make sure the pattern is lined up correctly and the stitching is even.
5. Once you've finished knitting the entire design, carefully snip off any loose threads. Be sure not to cut any embroidery stitches.

El Reticello embroidery can be a bit difficult due to the creation of the mesh of threads, but with practice and patience, anyone can master this Italian embroidery technique. The end result is a beautiful piece of embroidery that is unique and attractive, with a lovely lacey feel and texture.