These designs are for women's bags. They are from a pattern book for embroidery (about 1742) by Margaretha Helm (neé Mainberger) (born in 1659 in Deiningen, died in 1742 in Nuremberg, Germany). The information in the preface of the pattern book containing this design states that one can either weave or sew the bags with Cross and French (satin stitch padded). Cross stitch is made by creating two diagonal stitches that cross at the centre.
Helm worked in Nuremberg as an embroiderer, a teacher of embroidery, and a copperplate engraver who had these designs re-published by Christoph Weigel the Younger (1702-1777). The V&A has a series of pattern books for embroidery in three parts by Margaretha Helm of which this volume is Part II. It is entitled Fortgesetzter Kunst- und Fleiss-übender Nadel- auch Laden-Gewirck-Ergötzungen oder des neu-erfundenen Neh und Stick Buchs Anderer Theil or Further Delights of the Art and Industry of the practising Needle and Loom; or the newly invented Sewing and Embroidery Book Another part.