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needlework

needlework

5 3.4
Work done by sewing or embroidery and things made in this way
  • noun
  • /ˈnidəlˌwɜrk/
translation icon : bordado
  • After dinner, the family gathered in the drawing room for an hour of needlework, reading, and study.
  • a piece of needlework
  • fine needlework
  • delicate needlework

Examples

  • The cushion lying on the chair had "See You in Chicago" written on it in needlework.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • I have made Mike some form of needlework every year using the word "Peace" on them.

    Blog text (33)
  • I see my needlework has held good.

  • Nice needlework, nice and clean.

  • His wife spent hours teaching me French, drawing, and needlework.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Perhaps it was what she was thinking of secretly when she was alone, bent over her needlework.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • I wear jewelry and dresses, and I do needlework that I'm proud of.

    Blog text (5)
  • Both were engaged in needlework, and the sun shone upon them this autumn day.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • I have been crafting, sewing, and doing needlework for many years.

    Blog text (25)
  • After dinner, the family gathered in the drawing room for an hour of needlework, reading, and study.

Synonyms

sewing
vsneedlework
77 1.0

Joining cloth or other material with stitches made by a needle and thread

is a wider craft category that includes both decorative and joining stitches
knitting
vsneedlework
50 1.2

A way of making clothes by looping yarn with needles

is the general needle-based craft class that includes looped yarn techniques
stitching
vsneedlework
23 2.3

The action of joining cloth pieces with a needle and thread

is the wider craft category that includes both decorative and practical needle techniques
to crochet
vsneedlework
20 4.1

Make fabric or items by looping yarn with a hooked needle

is the overall hand stitch domain that contains this hooked loop method
embroidery
vsneedlework
20 4.7

Decoration on cloth made by sewing thread into raised patterns

is the broad craft class that covers this decorative thread work specifically
needlepoint
vsneedlework
12 4.9

A kind of hand sewing on canvas that makes decorative pictures

is the broader craft name that also covers this patterned canvas technique
handicraft
vsneedlework
4 3.5

An object made by hand or the skill of making things by hand

is the specific class of hand stitching crafts rather than all handmade objects
beadwork
vsneedlework
2 3.9

Decorative designs made by sewing or stringing beads together

is the general handcraft area that includes bead ornament techniques
cross-stitch
vsneedlework
1 4.2

A way of sewing small X shapes into cloth to make pictures

is the wide family of hand stitch crafts that contains this X stitch method
tatting
vsneedlework
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A way of making small, pretty lace by hand with a shuttle or needle

is the wide stitching category that encloses this specific lace method
stitchery
vsneedlework
1 6.8

Decorative sewing done with a needle and thread

is the broader category that includes decorative and practical hand sewing
stitchwork
vsneedlework
1 3.6

Work made by sewing or knitting to make patterns on cloth like a quilt

is the general field that contains these stitch-based methods and products
needlecraft
vsneedlework
4.4

Making things by hand with a needle, for example sewing and embroidery

is the umbrella term covering many hand stitch arts rather than a single craft
4.3

Decorative patterns sewn by hand rather than by machine

is the general category that includes both hand and machine methods
needlepoint embroidery
vsneedlework
6.9

A kind of sewing that uses yarn stitched through stiff open canvas to make pictures or patterns

is the overall craft group that includes this canvas stitching technique
crewelwork
vsneedlework
  • Specialized
9.9

A type of cloth decoration made by sewing coloured wool thread into raised patterns

is the general stitching category that includes this wool thread technique
fancywork
vsneedlework
  • Archaic
8.7

Decorative sewing like embroidery or lace that makes cloth look nicer

is the inclusive craft term that covers ornamental and practical stitching alike
drawnwork
vsneedlework
  • Specialized
9.9

Decorative sewing where threads are pulled out of the cloth to make lace patterns

is the larger hand stitch area that includes this thread-withdrawal lace method
lace making
vsneedlework
4.4

A craft that forms delicate open patterns from thread by hand

is the umbrella stitching term that also contains manual lace production
point lace
vsneedlework
  • Archaic
9.1

Delicate cloth made by sewing with small needle stitches on a paper pattern

is the broader craft group that includes this patterned lace technique
knitwork
vsneedlework
5.0

Cloth made by looping yarn with needles, like a sweater

is the broader stitch work category that also covers looped yarn production

How Intricate

lacework
1 6.8
embroidery
20 4.7
needlework
5 3.4
sewing
14 1.1

Surface Forms

needlework singular
needleworks plural

Morphology

needlework = needle + work (transparent) = needle + work

The compound is a straightforward combination of 'needle' + 'work' meaning work done with a needle (sewing/embroidery), which is clear to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Needlework is simply made from needle and work, so it literally means 'work done with a needle'. It refers to sewing, embroidery, and similar handmade pieces created with a needle.