Description and Details
A beautiful, large Sajou cross stitch kit showing scenes of the maddering stage of producing the colours of Toile du Jouy in Jouy-en-Josas.
The process of maddering both fixes and reveals certain colours and obtains colours that are called 'bon tient' or colourfast. The fabrics are soaked in a bath of rose madder, which is the root of a plant that is known for the red colour. Maddering develops the colours depending on which fixative is used, and gives reds, pinks, mauves, browns and black. As seen in the chart, the fabric is wound around a reel which allows consistancy to the 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 kit includes;
A full-colour pattern chart printed on an A3 sheet of paper
Another sheet “interpreting the stitches”. To get as close as possible to a “fabric effect”, you should follow certain instructions.
35 x 26 cm piece of off-white 32 Count linen,
six cards of Retors de Nord embroidery floss: 2033 x 2, 2447 x 2, 2469 x 2
The size of the chart is 161 x 127 points, giving a finished size of 30.8 x 25.2 cm.
The embroidery looks wonderful worked in reds or blues.
This design is taken from the larger Toile du Jouy chart, which features all of the scenes of production along with swatches of Toile du Jouy fabrics. I also have charts and kits that show each stage of the production of Toile du Jouy.
Some of you will already be collectors of Sajou and be more than aware of this extraordinary French brand. Sajou produce haberdashery items made in France to the highest standards (in some cases even produced on the original old machinery). Perfect for gifts and collectors, and for those of you unable to resist a quality that is seldom found in today's mass produced haberdashery products.
Sajou was created in 1828 by Jaques- Simon Sajou, selling haberdashery for embroidery, tapestry, lace, crochet and weaving. His pattern albums are sought after to this day by collectors worldwide. In 2005 the Sajou brand was purchased and revived by avid collector; Frederique Crestin- Billet. Many of the old designs have been faithfully reproduced and there are some new designs that have been added in the Sajou style.
Materials: A3 Cross Stitch Chart, Sajou 32 Count Linen, Six Cards Retours du Nord Embroidery Thread.
