Empire Style Fashion: Pleasurable moments
PATTERN READY TO DOWNLOAD, DESIGNED BY PERRETTE SAMOUILOFF

How did well-off people occupy their time at the time Napoleon was wooing Josephine de Beauharnais? French châteaux resonated with chamber music, young girls kept exotic birds in a cage and children played with toys of the time: a spinning wheel or a diabolo.

But no doubt games were not the primary concern of young women at the time. Most important was their appearance, showing themselves in their best light while attending to guests who paid visit.  

The Empire style revolutionized fashion, as revolutionaries had done with the monarchy. Gone were dusty wigs, generous chest, tight waists and billowing skirts. Women's silhouette changed altogether, making way for slim creatures dressed in light fabric, arms bared, hair tied up in ribbons and - naturally -  the signature high waisted dress. 

This cross-stitch chart by Perrette Samouiloff captures the spirit of the moment, as if we were inside the Château de Malmaison, walking through its chambers. Observe this young girl playing the harp, another one caring for her pet bird, while her sisters are dressing for a walk in the park; Witness the joy of this child throwing his top, or welcome with tactful and pleasant conversation the elegant young man come to pay a visit. 

When stitching, you can place the characters in any position as you see fit and compose different scenes (see example of horizontal alignment for the last image where the young man is listening to the harp player).
 

A cross stitch pattern by Perrette Samouiloff.

>> see more period fashion patterns by Perrette Samouiloff 

Chart info & Needlework supplies for the pattern:
Empire Style Fashion: Pleasurable moments

Chart size in stitches: 147 x 118 (wide x high)
Needlework fabric: 14 ct Aida or 28 ct linen, natural
>> View size in my choice of fabric (fabric calculator)
size of stitched area: 10.5 x 8.4 inch (26.7 x 21.3 cm)
Stitches: cross stitch, backstitch, French knots, 3/4 cross stitch
Chart: includes one-page overview for digital stitching
Threads:
Number of colors: 16

Themes: high waist, bare arms, Josephine de Beauharnais, playing the harp, spinning top and diabolo
 

>> see all fashion patterns (all designers)
 

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