Victorian magazines were chock-full of "how-to" pieces that can (usually) be followed just as easily more than 100 years later. This section provides a selection of articles on knitting, crochet, embroidery, other forms of needlework, and some slightly more unusual crafts such as screen painting, an early form of "scrapbooking" and more...

Needlework, Knitting and Crochet

Girls' Own Paper - 1880 (Vol. 1)

Crochet for Little Workers

I've always wanted to learn how to crochet, and this set of instructions (if you ignore the "dialogue" in which they are presented) is one of the clearest I've seen.

Darning

Three articles on various types of darning and mending.

How to Dress Dolls, by Dora Hope

How to Embroider in Crewels, by Dora Hope

My Workbasket

Thirteen articles covering a wide range of quintessentially Victorian stitchery projects.

Needlework

A two-part "lesson" in basic sewing techniques.

Outline Embroidery

This article has some fabulous patterns!

Patchwork, by Dora de Blaquiere

University Hoods and How to Make Them

Provides the school colours for the hoods of major British universities, the fabrics required, and actual patterns and sewing information.

Girls' Own Paper - 1880-1881 (Vol. 2)

Button-Hole and Satin Stitch

Crewel Embroidery for Dresses

Embroidery on Net

A Grammar of Embroidery, by Fred Miller

Patterns for Knitting

Point Lace Work

Rack-Frame Knitting, by Penelope

Sock and Stocking Knitting

Velvet Painting, by Mrs. Randolph-Lichfield

My Workbasket

Fourteen articles covering a wide range of quintessentially Victorian stitchery projects.

Girls' Own Paper - 1881-1882

Arrasene, or Wool Flowers

A Chat About Quilts, by Mary Laybourn

Crochet Work in Wool

Drawn Work

Knitted Designs, by Marie Barger

Samplers, Past and Present, by Dora de Blaquiere

Some nice pictures of 18th-century samplers.

My Work Basket

Always a hodgepodge of needle crafts, this issue contains some particularly nice (and easily traceable) embroidery designs.

Girls' Own Paper - 1882-1883

Art Needlework, by Helen Marion Burnside

This series seems to have been designed to take over from the "My Workbasket" series in earlier editions. This column generally focuses on one or two projects per column, with detailed instructions and patterns.

Fancy Braid Crochet

How to Paint Upon Satin and Silk, by B.C. Saward

Knotting, by B.C. Saward

Small Articles Made with Plush, Satin Sheeting, Satin Merveilleux, and Piece Linen, by B.C. Saward

Torchon Lace and How to Make It, by B.C. Saward

My Work Basket

Some lovely embroidery designs.

Girls' Own Paper - 1886-1887

Embroidery Needlework, by Fred Miller

Designing large-scale projects such as curtains and hangings.

Fashionable Embroidery, by B.C. Saward

My Workbasket

A wide range of projects, including a knitted shawl, a gentleman's hat, a lampshade and more.

Girls' Own Paper - 1888-1889

Art Needlework, by Helen Marion Burnside

Loads of designs for a wide variety of projects.

Monograms

My Workbasket

A wealth of knit, crochet, and embroidery projects.

Other Crafts

Girls' Own Paper - 1880 (Vol. 1)

How to Model a Rose in Wax, by Sophie Thwaites

How to Paint Christmas and Birthday Cards, by The Baroness Helga von Cramm

How to Paint on China, by Mary Randolph-Lichfield

How to Skeletonize Leaves

Pressed Grasses and Ferns for Ornamental Purposes, by Dora Hope

Tapestry Painting, by Fred Miller

Girls' Own Paper - 1880-1881 (Vol. 2)

How to Make Bead Flowers, by M. Karger

Uses for Shells and Seaweeds

Terra-Cotta Painting, by Mrs. Randolph-Lichfield

Tile Painting and Design, by Fred Miller

How to Make a Paper Box

Girls' Own Paper - 1881-1882

Fans, and How to Decorate Them

A Few Practical Hints on Painting Photos, Etc.

How to Keep a Commonplace Book

Leatherwork, by Dora Hope

Making and Working a Blotting Case

Screens and How to Make Them, by Dora Hope

A Simple Way to Bind a Book

Smoke Pictures, by Edward Baker

Here's a unique craft that would be fairly easy to attempt today.

Girls' Own Paper - 1882-1883

Barbotine Pottery Painting in Two Lessons, by Fred Miller

Barbotine Pottery Painting in Two Lessons, by Fred Miller

Coloured Leaves: How to Print Them

Crayonium, by B.C. Saward

A device for enlarging or reducing art and illustrations (presumably something like a more modern "pantograph").

How to Paint Upon Satin and Silk, by B.C. Saward

Lustra Painting, by B.C. Saward

Stencil Decoration, by Fred Miller

Girls' Own Paper - 1886-1887

Artistic Knick-Knacks

Nice patterns for bellows, milking stool (right) and toadstool table.

Easter Eggs

Some very interesting ideas, including tips on natural dyes.

Hints on Modeling in Clay, by Fred Miller

How to Decorate a Girl's Sitting Room, by Fred Miller

Chiefly of interest for the color illustration.

How to Make a Pair of Paper Bellows

Girls' Own Paper - 1888-1889

A Gossip on Portfolios - How to Make and Adorn Them, by Gleeson White

Think Victorian scrapbooking.

Screen-painting in Oil Colours, by Fred Miller

Beautiful designs that can be applied to other types of projects.

Tapestry Painting, by Fred Miller

Again, beautiful designs that can be applied to other projects.