Side By Side
Pattern Darning in the 21st Century

The original purpose, and meaning, of darning was the repair and/or reinforcement
of areas of clothing and linens where the fabric had been torn or had worn thin creating a hole.
Samplers were stitched by young girls in the 19th century as practice for learning sewing and
mending skills.  Contrasting colored threads would be used so that the young girls could see their work.
When practicing with a contrasting color, visual "patterns" emerged.  Pattern Darning joins the
many stitches used in needlepoint and counted thread embroidery as means of creating images
and decoration on fabric and canvas.

This book has Pattern Darning designs for simple and elaborate fill patterns,
reverse patterns, two color patterns, borders, stand alone motifs, and medallions.