Is Lenin banner hand embroidered or machine embroidered?

[aaabbb]

I mean those velvet Lenin banners made in the 70's. Are they made using machine embroidery? Thanks.

[deValcourt]

Since there were a number of different types put out by several different organizations for different purposes (e.g., general propaganda or awards), I'd have to see a picture of which kind you are asking about before I (or probably anyone else) could help you out.:)

Phillip

[aaabbb]

Originally Posted by deValcourt

Since there were a number of different types put out by several different organizations for different purposes (e.g., general propaganda or awards), I'd have to see a picture of which kind you are asking about before I (or probably anyone else) could help you out.:)

Phillip

I mean those socialist competition winner award banners made in the 70's with Lenin's image on one side and the ussr emblem on the other side.

[deValcourt]

If you are talking about those small pennants (V-shaped), then absolutely. If you are talking about larger banner on velvet, I'd still have to say yes, machine made because if you had any idea how many Elvis "paintings" were embroidered on black velveteen and were available all throughout the US along backwood country roads, kiosks near diners, strange tourist spots ("World's Largest <insert noun>") and truck stops from Florida to California that were for sale or sold, then I have to figure that the Soviets kept up in the velvet race, too, with machines.:D

However, I've also see many "velvet" banners/flags that had cloth letters sewn into the material and pre-fabricated state seals that were also sewn onto the banners, so I'd hardly call them embroidered, per se when they were just applying pre-made pieces to a blank piece of velvet-like material.

This is just an opinion. I only own one velvet banner and it was handmade in the late 1940s-early 1950s. I can't vouch for anything else other than what I've seen.

Phillip

[aaabbb]

Originally Posted by deValcourt

If you are talking about those small pennants (V-shaped), then absolutely. If you are talking about larger banner on velvet, I'd still have to say yes, machine made because if you had any idea how many Elvis "paintings" were embroidered on black velveteen and were available all throughout the US along backwood country roads, kiosks near diners, strange tourist spots ("World's Largest <insert noun>") and truck stops from Florida to California that were for sale or sold, then I have to figure that the Soviets kept up in the velvet race, too, with machines.:D

However, I've also see many "velvet" banners/flags that had cloth letters sewn into the material and pre-fabricated state seals that were also sewn onto the banners, so I'd hardly call them embroidered, per se when they were just applying pre-made pieces to a blank piece of velvet-like material.

This is just an opinion. I only own one velvet banner and it was handmade in the late 1940s-early 1950s. I can't vouch for anything else other than what I've seen.

Phillip

Hi, I've uploaded the photos. It's a heavy and think banner. I have no idea whether it was hand made.

[deValcourt]

Beautiful flag/banner.:thumbsup I recognize the stitching pattern and I think it is hand done - at the very least just the words. The portrait and state seal are probably just manufactured pieces that were sewn on.

Phillip

[aaabbb]

some photos of the state seal

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two more

[tshirtlarry]

The embroidery is done with what is called a chain stitch.
Definitely not done by hand with a needle and thread.
It's done on a machine that utilizes the hand guided hoop. No computerized embroidery here. The knee is used to hit a sort of clutch to allow movement of the hoop. Usually the design is applied on the cloth via a paper stencil that has been pounced with a tool. Then a bag of chalk is pounded over the
pounced design. When the stencil is removed the design is outlined on the fabric. Sort of the same process Michaelangelo used on the damp plaster of the Sistine Chapel.

[deValcourt]

Originally Posted by tshirtlarry

Sort of the same process Michaelangelo used on the damp plaster of the Sistine Chapel.

Now that's a heck of a comparison.:D

Phillip