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About This Quiz
Embroidery is a vast discipline and a favorite in the craft world. It has been around in one form or another since the beginning of history. But how well do you know the terminology and history of this beloved hobby?
Which is not a type of Embroidery?
Crochet
Because it uses similar materials, craft stores often shelve crochet supplies near the embroidery supplies. This is because they both fall under the larger umbrella of needlework, which is a much wider category than the more specific needlepoint.
Free
Counted
Needlepoint
Which continent is most associated with free embroidery?
Asia
Many cultures across Asia are known for their distinct free embroidery, including Japan, Vietnam, and Korea. However, the most recognizable form is Chinese embroidery, which is known for its immaculate detail and broad landscapes.
Europe
North America
Africa
What material is the backing for most Chinese embroidery?
Linen
Silk
It's no wonder that most Chinese embroidery was sewn onto silk, as silk was first developed in ancient China. Emperors tried to keep the secrets of making the fabric a secret in order to keep China at the top of the trading world, but eventually it spread to Korea, and then to Asia as a whole, and eventually to the rest of world.
Wool
Nylon
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What is another name for free embroidery?
Dermal embroidery
Surface embroidery
Surface embroidery got its name because the details are on the surface of the fabric instead of going through the fabric like cross stitching. It is the only form of embroidery that doesn't work with the weave of the fabric.
Skimming embroidery
Top Level embroidery
The most common form of free embroidery used in modern culture is called what?
Crewel
Crewel embroidery became popular during the Jacobean period of English history and remains popular today. Because it is more sturdy than typical embroidery work, it is ideal for chair backs, ottomans, and decorative pillows.
Crew work
Cruel
Crayola
What material does Crewel use to make patterns?
Wool
Crewel wool is often referred to as yarn, but it isn't exactly synonymous. Crewel wool is a special thread that is extra strong and long-staple and spun in a different manner than normal yarn. Some crafters believe that crewel can be done with threads made from acrylic, but purists believe that if it's not wool, it's not crewel.
Rayon
Silk
Cotton
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What is the name of the fabric most cross-stitch work is stitched onto?
Alberta
Opera
Magenta
Aida
Aida cloth is a woven fabric made from cotton with holes forming the corners of tiny squares to assist in counting stitches. Aida cloth is measured in counts, which correlates to the number of squares per linear inch. The most common size, 14 count, has 14 squares per linear inch.
What three-letter term is the best-selling brand of embroidery floss?
ABC
BBC
TNT
DMC
DMC stands for Dollfus-Mieg and Company, a textile company in Alsace, France, right on the border with Switzerland and Germany. It was founded in 1746 by the Dollfus family and was changed in 1800 to include the new in-laws, the Miegs.
What is the most commonly used stitch in needlepoint?
Circle stitch
Cross stitch
It's no surprise that the cross stitch is the most commonly used stitch since it has its own subcategory of embroidery named after it. But the basic cross stitch isn't the only cross stitch. There are several variations on the stitch; namely Long-armed cross stitch, Double cross stitch, Italian cross stitch, Basket stitch, Leaf stitch, Herringbone stitch, Closed herringbone stitch, Tacked herringbone stitch, Threaded herringbone stitch, Tied herringbone stitch, Montenegrin stitch, Trellis stitch, Thorn stitch, and Van Dyke stitch
Long stitch
Short stitch
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What is the name of the starchy fabric that allows sewers to stitch their patterns onto almost anything they would like and is removed by unraveling it, thread by thread?
Scrap canvas
Utility canvas
Trash canvas
Waste canvas
Waste canvas is very similar to normal canvases, in that it's made of woven threads in an even pattern. However, it is treated with a special type of starch that helps it hold its shape and allows crafters to stitch on fabrics they wouldn't normally be able to use, such as pillowcases and tote bags. When finished, crafters spray the work with water to dissolve the starch and unravel the waste canvas.
What is the name of the straight stitch often used to outline and detail?
Backstitch
The backstitch is the most common stitch used to add outlines and other straight details and is so named because it involves the sewer going back to the previous hole to start a new stitch. Variations on the backstitch include the stem stitch, outline stitch, and split stitch.
Line stitch
Outline stitch
Detail stitch
What is the name for a diagonal stitch, often used for shading?
Tent stitch
Sometimes called a half-stitch, the tent stitch is essentially done by stitching a diagonal line, or half a cross stitch. Variations of this stitch include basketweave, continental, and half cross, all of which achieve different effects.
Cabin stitch
Diagonal stitch
Sharp stitch
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What is the name for a small dot made by wrapping the floss around the needle a few times before sewing and is often used to add details such as eyes and buttons?
Italian Dot
Spanish Spot
French knot
The French knot is a stitch that crafters either love or hate. Some sewers say it's the easier knot to do, and others are unable to do them right even after decades of sewing.
American Circle
While there are some exceptions, how many pieces of floss is standard when making a cross stitch?
2
Floss comes six pieces to a strand and must be separated. Sometimes details are done with one or three pieces, but usually two strands are used.
4
6
8
What is the term for a stitch used to finish an unhemmed blanket?
Hem stitch
Skirt stitch
Blanket stitch
Sometimes called a cable stitch or a crochet stitch, the blanket stitch is used to hem and reinforce the edges of materials, usually blankers. Unlike most stitches, blanket stitches can be seen on both sides of the blanket.
Running stitch
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What is the term used to describe an embroidery technique in which yarn or floss are laid across the fabric and secured in place with small stitches?
Couching
Holding
Laid work
A and C
Couching and Laid work are both embroidery techniques where the yard or thread is laid across the surface of the backing fabric. Small stitches, either of different or the same yarn/thread, are used to hold the original stitch in place.
What is the name for a specific type of Middle Eastern embroidery that attaches small mirrors to fabric?
Mirror-stitch
Shisheh
Shisheh or abhla bharat embroidery, also called mirror-work, is a special type of embroidery which attaches small pieces of mirrors or reflective metal to fabric. If you've ever wondered how the sparkles on a belly dancer's skirt are attached, now you know.
Stishem
Sparkles
What is the name for the type of stitch that makes lines without crossing or looping thread?
Line stitch
Straight stitch
Straight stitches, also called flat stitches, are made when stitches are made without looping or crossing the thread. This stitch is often used to fill shapes and create geometric designs in various disciplines of embroidery.
Running stitch
No-cross-stitch
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What is the term for a circle used to keep fabrics taut while being stitched on?
Hoops
Frames
Looms
A & B
Embroidery hoops are circular frames (hence the other name for them) used to keep fabrics taut while stitching. Looms are used in weaving projects.
What is not a common material from which embroidery hoops are made?
Plastic
Wood
Glass
It would be futile to make an embroidery hoop from glass. While the hoops themselves are only made with plastic or wood, they do always have a metal pin or screw to hold the hoop closed and, therefore, counts as part of the hoop.
Metal
What material is Embroidery thread made from?
Wool
Cotton
Silk
All of the above
Because embroidery takes many forms, it stands to reason that the thread would come from many sources. Wool is most often used for crewel and needlepoint. Cotton is used for embroidery and cross stitching, and silk is used for accents.
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What is the name for the lightweight cardstock with regularly spaced holes that is used to take the place of embroidery canvas?
Craft card
Holey paper
Waste canvas
Perforated paper
Despite its name, perforated paper is actually made of cardstock. The fact that it has holes punched in it is why it is sometimes called punched paper. It is often used to make holiday decorations.
What is the general name of tightly woven fabrics usually used for surface embroidery?
Tapestry
Embroidery cloth
Plainweave
Plainweave is the general name for the cloth used in surface embroidery. These fabrics are so tightly woven that individual threads cannot be seen right away.
Evenweave
By contrast, what is the name of the category of fabrics where threads are the same size and evenly spaced?
Linenweave
Even-weave
Whereas plainweave is tightly woven and appears solid, even-weave fabrics are a slightly looser weave, and individual threads can be readily seen. Types of even-weave include Aida cloth, linen, and needlepoint canvas.
Spaced weave
Counted cloth
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What is the name of the plastic foundation often used to make 3-D objects?
Plastic canvas
Plastic canvas is made of lightweight plastic with regularly spaced holes. The size of the holes makes it ideal for yarn-based crafts, rather than thread (which is better suited for waste canvas). It is also commonly called vinyl weave.
Strong canvas
Plastic weave
Dimensional canvas
What is the colorful term for embroidery where the stitching is the same color as the foundation fabric?
Rainbow work
Blackwork
Whitework
While not specifically restricted to white, whitework embroidery is the collective term for any embroidery technique in which the stitching is the same color as the foundation fabric, which more often than not tends to be traditionally white linen. This is the technique used on most christening gowns.
Goldwork
What is the term for a simple running stitch which is done in rows along the grain of the fabric, switching direction at the end of each row?
Fracking
Darning
While it can be done with a sewing machine, most darning is done by hand. While most people think of darning as an option for clothing repair, it's also an embroidery technique. In the sense of needlepoint, it can either refer to pattern darning (using parallel rows of darning stitches to create geometric designs) or net darning (a technique meant to imitate the appearance of lace).
Drating
Hecking
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What article of clothing is often the recipient of a darning stitch?
Sock
While other items of clothing can be darned, socks are the most common. Because darning is used in places where adding a patch would be impractical or uncomfortable for the wearer, it makes sense to use this technique in the oft-worn heels of socks.
Hats
Ties
Skirts
What is the name for the embroidery style which achieves a 3-D effect by raising the stitched objects from the surface?
Raised work
3-D stitching
Puff stitch
Stumpwork
Stumpwork is a style of embroidery where the crafter raises the figures, usually leaves or flowers, up from the surface of the work in order to make them look 3-dimensional. Even non-sewers have seen a version of this: automated embroidery machines use thread and foam to create a subcategory called puff embroidery, which is used on most baseball caps.
Which style of embroidery uses the heaviest ply of yarn?
Tapestry
Tapestry yarn or tapestry wool is the heaviest ply, coming in at 4-ply. Persian yarn, usually used for needlepoint is 3-ply. Crewel yarn is the finest, being 2-ply. Cross stitch does not use yarn at all.
Cross stitch
Needlepoint
Crewel
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What is the most common material from which embroidery floss is made?
Silk
Linen
Cotton
While all four of these materials are used to make embroidery floss, cotton is the most common. Linen is more often used as a foundation fabric, and silk is used for accents.
Rayon
What is the name for the embroidery style that typically uses a loom instead of a needle?
Quillwork
Cutwork
Tapestry
Tapestry is a tricky subject in the world of needlepoint, as there are technically two definitions for it. Strictly speaking, tapestry is a form of weaving on a vertical loom to create large works which often display a pictorial of some kind. However, the word "tapestry†has come to mean any large pictorial work, and is often used interchangeably with needlepoint.
Candlewicking
What is the name for the popular even-weave made from cotton and modal?
Jacobean
Jobelan
Joblean is a relatively new commodity in the embroidery world but is becoming more popular all the time. Made from a 51 percent cotton/49 percent modal blend, it is softer than aida and other evenweave options. However, it is more common to have an allergic reaction to modal than cotton.
Pablolan
Modela
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What is the name for the type of cross-stitch pattern where the pattern is printed on the Aida cloth?
Printed
Stained
Painted
Stamped
Good for beginners, stamped cross stitches literally stamp the pattern onto the Aida cloth. It helps the sewer know where to place their stitches without having to count.
Which country is known for its reversible cross-stitch creations?
France
Italy
A historical form of embroidery, Two-sided Italian Cross stitch makes the work reversible while ensuring that the foundation fabric is almost completely covered. It is extremely difficult to do correctly, and as such, has fallen out of practice in modern times.
Spain
Greece
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