Congress work

Good evening, can anyone tell me what congress work is? I read this in an English novel, where it said “pillows in congress work.” 
I haven’t been able to find any information on what it is or how it’s done. Are you smarter than the internet? Thanks for any tips!

Hi,

there’s a coarse fabric used for needlework (congress fabric) that’s very good for embroidering from a counted pattern; I think it’s an embroidered pillow!

Best regards, Helga

Thanks, Helga,

I’ve learned something new... Is that the same as Stramin, or are they different things?

Best regards, Inna

Hi Inna,

Stramin has a different weave; congress cloth is evenly woven, but firmer than the usual evenweave fabric. It used to be commonly used for embroidery, but has long been "out of fashion."

Best, Helga

@Helga,

I Googled both terms, and the same images come up for both—probably very few people these days can tell these fabrics apart. But at least it’s good to have some idea of what it is—when the question came up, I had absolutely no idea what the term meant.
A “Schülertuch,” though, is something else entirely, right?

Best, Inna

Inna,

Schülertuch is a finer fabric, woven much more densely than
counted-thread fabric, but also used for embroidery, for stem stitch and similar stitches.

Best regards, Helga

@Helga,

thanks — I still don’t quite understand what Kongressstoff is, but the general idea is enough for now — that’s more than I knew before :-).

Best regards, Inna