The 19^th century saw the flowering of new middle class - wealthy families who were in business, industry or trade - from the merchant class of the previous century. The wives and daughters of these wealthy gentlemen maintained this show of status by being seen not to engage in anything that appeared to be work. However, it was also unseemly for such ladies to appear to be idle. As good causes and needlework were the only respectable alternatives, this resulted in an abundance of needlework to fill all available time and space.

From the 1830’s, ladies began embroidering Berlin Wool Work: canvas work using tent stitch or cross-stitch. The designs were copied from colored charts using Berlin wool. Both the charts and the wool were originally produced in and around the area of Berlin, but from 1831, they were produced and sold throughout Europe and North America. The wools were colored using natural dyes until 1856 when chemical dyes became available.

Victorian ladies used Berlin Wool Work on carpets, pole, hand screens, sofas, cushions, bags, mantel, curtain trims and almost anything else they could think of.

Over the centuries, many differing styles and techniques of embroidery and needlecraft have evolved and our present-day crafts are all drawn from this wealth of tradition.