The Fraktur has its roots in the illuminated manuscripts of Northern Europe from the 16th century, when many documents were produced using the calligraphy lettering of Blackletter or Gothic script. The term "Fraktur" comes from the Latin word "fractura," meaning "broken" or "fractured," referring to the broken appearance of the pen strokes.

In the 17th and 18th century, when German immigrants came to America, they brought with them this lettering style. It was often used for printing religious texts, literature, and official documents. Unlike it’s earlier European counterparts, the American Fraktur were used for personal family records; including birth and baptism records, house blessings, rewards, book plates, marriage certificates and drawings. American Fraktur contains both ornate lettering and an elaborate style of folk art executed in ink and watercolor by the Pennsylvania Dutch. Majority of Fraktur were created between 1744 and 1860.

Many of the immigrants settled in the Pennsylvania countryside. When they were asked what language they spoke they replied Deutsch (German) The name “Pennsylvania Dutch” is therefore a misnomer. The Pensylvania Dutch also settled in Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, West Virginia, Western Maryland, Ohio, Carolinas, New Jersey and Canada.

I have compiled examples of Fraktur and related images from museums and private collections onto a Pinterest Board. Please check it out at:
https://ca.pinterest.com/mittena/fraktur/

We can use this wonderful folk art to influence and enhance our needlework today! My ‘Fraktur Collection’ does just that. I plan a series of Fraktur inspired needlework kits including:

a Sewing Book, a Sampler, a Pincushion, a Needlework Box and a Needle Roll.

The first in the Fraktur Collection is the Trifold Sewing Book. Inspired by a George and Martha Washington Fraktur, I included the rosy-cheeked pair galloping across the cover of the Sewing Book! The Sewing Book incorporates surface embroidery and decorative embellishments worked on a pre-printed cotton fabric. It also incorporates counted cross stitch on 32-count linen to create a fold out book with lots of extras!  

Inside the book is a wool needle felt page to represent ‘Scherenschnitte’ (paper cutting). Add the special Bird and Flower Head Pins included in the kit to the needle felt	A Needle Threader with a resin handle in the shape of a wing slides into the concealed pocket of a folk art bird. Adorn the preprinted cotton fabric bird with beads and embroidery.	Work a thread-covered handle on Japanese style thread clippers that can be stored in another pocket. Follow the instructions to make a protective sheath for the clippers.

Using the printed and scored fiber-tex sheet, learn to fold a pop-up box to store thread or orts. The pop-up box is printed in the style of a ‘True Love Knot’ popular in the mid 1800’s. A geometric Labyrinth path contains a ‘love for needlework’ poem.

The interior of the Trifold Sewing Book is worked on 32 count linen with a variety of silk and cotton threads that are over-dyed to mimic the water color effect of the Fraktur. The final fold out panel of the book boasts cross stitched Fraktur style flowers that conceal pockets for the four thread winders.

The kit includes all the materials and detailed instructions needed to complete the Trifold Sewing Book.

Click HERE to find out more.