Modelbuch aller Art Nehens vn Stickens (Page 2r) 1535

This is a page from Christian Egenolff’s “Modelbuch aller Art Nehens vn Stickens”, printed sometime in the mid-16th century. As the title suggests, it is a model book with different kinds of sewing and embroidery patterns. During the Renaissance, these books played a crucial role in shaping domestic skills and feminine identity. In a time where women’s roles were largely confined to the domestic sphere, needlework was more than just a practical skill; it was a marker of status and education. These patterns, with their loops, florals, and geometric precision, reflect not only an aesthetic sensibility, but also the cultural values placed on women’s ability to create beauty and order within the home. But consider that needlework was also a medium for personal expression and resistance. Through their stitches, women could record their stories, express their beliefs, and subvert the expectations placed upon them. This page reminds us that even within the constraints of their time, women found ways to weave their identities and histories into the fabric of their lives.