The old techniques are completely mind boggling. I have a 1931 edition of the Singer Instructions for Art Embroidery and Lace Work. Perhaps one day I will understand it, but that will be in a few years' time.
It gets totally surreal on page 190, Lesson 99, Embroidery on Wood "The wood on which the work is made must be at least 1/25 of an inch thick. Oak, cedar, mahogany etc. may be used and it must be polished on both sides in order that it may have the necessary smoothness and flexibility to permit the threads to go through without breaking and also so that the wood itself may not split when it is worked." You couldn't make that sort of stuff up.