Tambour Work
by Lauren Gilbert Madame de Pompadour at her Tambour Frame by Henri Drouais Regency novels frequently refer to “tambour frames” and “tambour work”. One novel contained an amusing story where a lady used a tambour frame as a weapon. I assumed It was a form of embroidery but knew nothing about it. I enjoy needlework and thought it would be interesting to see what it was. Tambour embroidery was a very popular and fashionable craft. Thought to have originated in China, it was supposedly introduced to France in the mid-18 th century, and subsequently spread to England and western Europe. Ladies occupied their time with tambour work as well as other needle crafts, while professionals used this technique on a larger scale until machines were able to produce similar effects. T he stitcher uses a needle with a hook, similar to a modern latch hook, and makes a chain stitch on fabric stretched in a round frame....