Perforated Paper Needlework
1870’s - 1900 The Mottoes
documented from the collection of Claudia Dutcher

American. Text source - popular sentiment
1878
1890

United Kingdom
Text source - Bible
Size - 11" x 18"

American. Text source - Bible
1877
The most common motto is the horizontal design where the paper measures 8.5" x 21". All of the pieces pictured here are worked on that size paper. Vertical motto designs on the same size paper were less common. The early perforated paper colors were limited to white and black. Designs printed on black paper were more expensive. By 1878 -1880 perforated paper sheets, printed or blank, were available painted in a variety of colors and also available with a silver metallic finish.
For the American mottoes it was popular to back the design with silver foil to give an elegant appearance, and to make the background look more like fabric by disguising the holes in the paper.

1876
American. Above dated 1876
Text source - hymn title
"He Leadeth Me" published 1865


American. Text source - religious slogan
The phrase is presented mostly as symbols.

1877
American. Text source - greeting

American. Text source - Masonic saying

1878
American. Text source - hymn title
"Rock Of Ages" published 1840
Both the words and background are elaborately stamped

1880
Little words of love
Make this earth an Eden
Like the heaven above
American.
Text source - children’s poem
published 1845

American. Text source - song title
"The Old Arm Chair" published 1840

1878
American. Text source - hymn title
Released to commemorate the revival
meetings in the 1870’s held by
DL Moody (left) evangelist
and Ira Sankey (right) musician
whose portraits are stamped on the paper.
Ira Sankey wrote the music for the hymn in 1874.

American Text source - Sunday School song
"Scatter Smiles As you Go" early 1880’s
On rare black paper.
Perforated paper has also been called perforated cardboard or punched paper. Before 1870, only smaller sheets of finer count paper (18 - 24 holes per inch) was widely available. This small size paper was used mostly for stitching bookmarks. Ladies magazines during the 1850’s - 1880’s often carried projects for pinkeeps, boxes, and other fancywork projects stitched on paper. American mottoes were designed specifically for a new larger count paper (14 -16 holes per inch) which first appeared in the United States during the 1870’s. Sheets in this size paper were available in these standard sizes; 8.5" x 21", 8.5" x 10.5", and 16.5" x 21", The first American motto designs were copyrighted around 1874. Motto designs were popular from 1875 - 1885.
Mottoes were intended to be easy to stitch. Most of the mottoes we see today were worked by children. The designs were printed on the paper. The stitcher worked over the printed design using wools, cottons, and silks. Typically the background paper was left unstitched. The earliest mottoes did not come with a color key, so the outcome was left to the resources and talents of the stitcher. Later designs were stamped similar to today’s cross stitch, with symbols etc. These designs were mass produced. During the height of their popularity a stitcher could purchase all the parts needed, including a thread set and a standard frame. The difference in design styles indicates that there were several different motto designers and paper manufacturers, although the details have yet to be completely documented. Many perforated paper motto designs were widely available for purchase in various stores and by mail order through magazines.
Mottoes from the United Kingdom
Examples from the 1880’s - 1890’s
Another difference is the number of holes punched per inch in the paper. The average hole count of UK paper is slightly higher with 15 - 16 holes per inch. The American motto paper has 14 - 15 holes punched per inch.
Mottoes from the UK have a distinctively different style. The designs available were limited, especially when compared to the vast choices of US motto sayings.

there He died for thee
United Kingdom. Text source - Bible
Paper Size - 10" x 23"

United Kingdom. Text source - Bible
Size - 7" x 12"
This small size motto was advertised to sell as a "Sunday School Motto"

United Kingdom. Size - 10" x 23"
Text source - religious revival popular phrase

Lead Thou Me on
United Kingdom. Size - 8" x 18"
Text source - hymn title
"Lead Kindly Light" - published 1833 (1865)

United Kingdom - Scotland. Text source - Bible
Size - 8" x 18"
1876 Centennial Perforated Paper Needlework Mottoes
documented from the collection of Claudia Dutcher Kistler
The 1876 Americana mottoes and their symbols
America was proud to celebrate their Centennial, the first 100 years of being a country. They were proud of their heritage and their leaders. Designers chose popular and familiar symbols for their Centennial motto designs. The President was the symbol of the nation. Two of the most popular Presidents were George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. George Washington was the founding father of America. The death of Abraham Lincoln helped unite the country and bring the Civil War to an end. Other symbols of patriotism were the American flag and the eagle. Several versions of the same eagle appeared on many 1876 mottoes. The eagle symbolized the physical strength of America just as Washington and Lincoln represented the moral character and strength of the nation. The Liberty bell was also a familiar symbol stitched in 1876.

Washington & Lincoln 8.5" x 21" [above]
Eagle & flag 8.5" x 10" [below]


1876 International
Exhibition motto
10" x 14"
This motto has the names of the original
13 states stitched as part of the border

American flag motto 8.5" x 21"

Featuring a flag, eagle, and the Liberty bell 8.5" x 21"

two mottoes - same theme
8.5" x 12" [above], 8.5" x 21" [below]


16" x 21.5"
This was an Exhibition motto because the Main
Exhibition building is printed in the center of the design.

George Washington
8.5" x 21"
The detail of George Washington’s unstitched
printed portrait is shown below.


A set of two mottoes featuring
Presidents Lincoln and Washington
8.5" x 11"
Each motto includes the words that
defined each man’s legacy.


A unique group of American mottoes were the designs specifically created to celebrate the 1876 Centennial. These designs were released in 1875 and 1876. Many of these mottoes were specifically designed to promote the International Exhibition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, also known as The 1876 World’s Fair. The mottoes containing printed features specific to the Fair were likely only available for purchase by attendees at the International Exhibition. The International Exhibition in Philadelphia ran from May 10 through November 10, 1876.
Designs printed on perforated paper were the perfect project for advertising. The design was printed on the paper and it was easy enough to use a larger sheet of paper and have a project printed with a tear away section. The advertisement featured the store or location where the project was purchased. Many sewing and dry goods stores gave away bookmarks with the printed shop information attached.
Stitchers valued the project. Before or after the design was stitched, the advertising section was usually removed. To find any printed paper design with an advertisement still attached is a special find for collectors. To find an 1876 Centennial piece with advertising is rare.
Here is an example of an 1876 Centennial design that was likely sold or given away at the International Exhibition. The original set would have had a design to stitch and a picture of the Main Exhibition building below the design. This example shows the complete stitched design but only a partial Exhibition advertisement. The full advertising print is shown below. This is how the missing section would have looked when the complete advertisement was still attached.

United We Stand
International Exhibition
advertising motto
