China ribbon work is basically a revival of the China ribbon embroidery of the mid-nineteenth century. The China ribbon work used a thickish linen or cotton ground material. The area of threads (warp and/or weft threads) drawn out had to be just slightly wider than the width of the ribbon. Caulfeild and Saward (p. 68) suggested that the ribbon should go under six threads and then over six threads and that the ground material in and around the drawn area could be decorated with a pattern in cross stitch or Holbein stitch (also known as double running stitch).
In the late nineteenth century this form of decorative needlework was used for chair backs, table cloths, covers, etc.
It is also sometimes known as Rococo work, but should not be confused with the Rococo (cut-)work.
Source: CAULFEILD, Sophia Frances Anne and Blanche C. SAWARD (1882), The Dictionary of Needlework, London: L. Upcott Gill, p. 68.
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