A beautiful Sajou cross stitch kit depicting the maddering stage of Toile du Jouy production at Jouy-en-Josas.
Maddering both fixes and reveals colour, producing what are known as ‘bon teint’ (colourfast) shades. The fabrics are soaked in a bath of rose madder — the root of a plant renowned for its red pigment — which develops colours depending on the fixative used, producing reds, pinks, mauves, browns and black. As shown in the chart, the fabric is wound around a reel to ensure consistency of colour. The small hut on the right kept a fire burning to boil the solution. The mordants are thickened with different gums to aid the clarity of the print; these gums are then removed by a process known as ‘Bousage’, in which the fabric is soaked in a cow-pat bath.
The chart measures 161 x 127 points, giving a finished size of approximately 30.8 x 25.2 cm. The embroidery looks wonderful worked in reds or blues.
The kit includes:
A full-colour A3 pattern chart
A guide sheet ‘Interpreting the Stitches’ for achieving a fabric effect
A 35 x 26 cm piece of off-white 32-count linen
Six cards of Retors du Nord embroidery thread: 2033 x 2, 2447 x 2, 2469 x 2
This design is taken from the larger Toile du Jouy Manufacture chart, which features all stages of production alongside swatches of Toile du Jouy fabrics. You will find further charts and kits in my shop inspired by the historical textile collections of France’s great châteaux and museums.
1st chart i ordered. So pleased I've ordered 2 more different bayeux tapestry charts. Quality is brilliant. Looking forward to Stitching. Came well packed. Thank you
One of 4 charts I've brought from this seller. Just as described. Detailed clear chart. Easy to read. Seller goes out of her way to help. Top seller. Thank you.
