Needlework

The New Anchor Book of Blackwork - $16.00
Techniques and designs. The perfect introduction to blackwork embroidery. 48 patterns clearly explained with step-by-step working diagrams. 16 designs with easy to read charts and color photographs. 64pp. Pb.

The New Anchor Book of Crewelwork - $16.00
Techniques and designs. The perfect introduction to crewelwork embroidery. 49 stitches clearly explained with step-by-step working diagrams. 16 designs with easy to trace templates and color photographs. 64pp. Pb.

Antique Needlework Tools - $59.00
Nerylla Taunton. This book, with over 400 colour and almost 100 black and white illustrations, is the result of years of research. It is the first published history of the tools and accessories used by needlewomen in Holland, from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century, describing how they were used and also who would have used them. Many of these tools were beautifully made by craftsmen from precious metals, treasured by their owners and handed down through generations. Others were very simply crafted out of wood, individually carved and decorated by the artisan. Thimble collectors will be delighted with the abundance of illustrations of thimbles, from those simply made of brass, to gold ones decorated with gemstones. Collectors of other sewing tools will welcome the inclusion of chapters on sewing sets, chatelaines, scissors, needle cases, pin-cushions, tape measures, thread holders and winders, tambour tools and knitting accessories. 216pp. Hb.

The Bayeux Tapestry Embroiderers' Story - $31.00
Jan Messent. Blending historical facts and an absorbing account concentrating on the practical aspects of creating such a mammoth piece of art, this survey examines the mysteries behind a centuries-old artifact, the Bayeux Tapestry. Through vividly detailed illustrations impeccably true to the piece’s intricately worked characters and elements, this volume offers a thoughtful envisioning of the stories of the women involved in embroidering the piece — their identities, materials, methods, organization, working conditions, and venues. Incorporating a sketchbook feel that evokes a sense of a work in process, the chronicle pieces together an extensively researched and colorful narrative that helps place the famous embroidery in a plausible context. The author’s reconstruction of the final eight feet that are missing from the tapestry will be of particular interest to embroiderers. 112pp. Pb.

Beginners Guide to Blackwork - $24.00
Lesley Wilkins. A very good guide to the techniques and requirements of Blackwork with many charted icons, borders and fillers to help you to design your own patterns. 64pp. Pb.

Beginners Guide to Goldwork - $26.00
Ruth Chamberlin. Ruth Chamberlin's exquisite work is an inspiration in this lavishly illustrated practical guide to embroidering with gold threads. With all of the techniques needed to produce Ruth's beautiful designs explained in clear, step-by-step photographs, this superb book will appeal to both beginners and experienced embroiderers alike. The beauty of goldwork lies in the way it reflects the light when threads and stitches are worked into a design in different ways. The texture, the tones and the shapes all combine to create rich, wonderful embroideries that are a joy to behold. Ruth explains all about the materials, the stitches, how to transfer designs, raise surfaces and much more. Diagrams, patterns and detailed step-by-step photographs illustrate each stage and include superb finished pieces which will appeal to all embroiderers, whatever their skill level. 64pp. Pb.

Celtic Animal Charted Designs - $7.00
Ina Kliffen. Forty-three carefully designed color-coded charts depict bizarre mythical creatures that abound in Celtic art. Complete instructions and easy-to-follow diagrams enable even beginning needlecrafters to create a menagerie of fabulous fauna that will embellish clothing, linens and other domestic items. 48pp. Pb.

Celtic Charted Designs - $7.00
Co Spinhoven. Over 300 lovely designs from Book of Kells, Tara Brooch, other Celtic sources: spiral work, knot work, biomorphic patterns, more. 64pp. Pb.

Classic Hardanger - $30.00
Gina Marion. Containing stitches, techniques and over 50 original projects, this guide to hardanger needlework shows how to make the most of the craft, as well as how to embellish projects with beads and metallic threads. 158pp. Pb.

The Embroiderer's Garden - $32.00
Thomasina Beck. Plants and gardens have long been a source of inspiration for embroiderers. In this book, Thomasina Beck has managed to combine the two, with pictures of embroideries set in, of, and inspired by gardens. The book is well set out, and takes you through all the steps necessary to design your own garden-inspired embroidery, right down to discussing different techniques to portray foliage and flowers. The book is full of beautiful, full-color prints of unusual and original works of art created with thread and fabric. She also provides many line drawings that can be combined to create your own embroidered garden scene. 192pp. Hb.

Embroidery: A Beginners Workshop - $8.00
Jock Levinson. The projects in this book have been specially chosen for children or anyone who wishes to start embroidery with simple, straightforward projects. The book starts with simple projects which help the beginner learn and develop new skills. Gradually, the projects become more involved,and the new skills can be applied. A gingham bag, a rosebud bag, jam-jar cover, butterfly T-shirt, cross-stitch picture, linen mat and pin-cushion are some of the things featured. Clear instructions and diagrams, plus colour photographs of the finished articles are provided. 48pp. Pb.

Here Be Drolleries - $39.00
Nancy Spies. With over 400 new patterns based on medieval motifs, Here Be Drolleries, a follow-up volume to Here be Wyverns, will provide anyone who can work from a graph -- needleworker, knitter, weaver, beader, quilter, etc. -- with another exciting collection of designs to work with. There are new alphabets,enchanting birds and animals, amusing drolleries, and a wide variety of borders and other intriguing subjects. 194pp. Sb.

Here Be Wyverns - $39.00
Nancy Spies. This is a charted needlework design treasure trove of charts. Divided into groupings like animals, birds, architecture, people, and all-over patterns and borders, each section is full of charts drawn by the author from medieval sources. The patterns and borders sections are especially useful for its depictions of the key element of the repeat patterns. 192pp, Sb.

Lagartera Embroidery and Stitches From Spain - $28.00
Milner Craft Series. Since there has not been a book published in almost 40 years on this simple technique that originated in the Lagartera region of Spain, it will be a welcome addition to any stitchers library. It is worked on evenweave linen using primarily double running stitch (later known as Holbein stitch) and satin stitch blocks. With a few additional stitches, the book presents twenty-one designs that capitalize on the bright colors and geometric motifs characteristic of this peasant embroidery. Color throughout, easy-to-read charts. Stitch diagrams are exceptionally clear. 87pp. Pb.

Madonna Tempi: Counted Cross-stitch - $7.00
Designed by Stoyanka Ivanova. Counted cross stitch chart & instructions for a classic painting of Madonna and Child. 10pp. Pb.

The Needlework of Mary Queen of Scots - $32.00
Margaret Swain. First comprehensive study of the Queen as a needlewoman. Every piece marked by her cipher or monogram is illustrated in full. The text shows the author’s unquestioned scholarship. This is a history, not a project book, and valuable as such. Black and white photographs and several in colour. 128pp, Pb.

One Needle One Thread - $75.00
Tomoko Torimaru. Miao (Hmong) embroidery and fabric piecework from Guizhou, China. This book is richly illustrated with photographs of the costumes, the people, their landscape and most carefully of their ways of working. The author has clearly spent much time with the Miao and learned about their culture in a sense of shared love of the people, their lives and work, and it is obvious that they have reciprocated by sharing the details of their lives. An excellent book for one whose interest lies anywhere between avid textile scholar and casual observer. 168pp. Pb.

Patterns: Book of Embroidery 1534 - $19.00
Johan Schartzenberger. A facsimile of one of the earliest pattern books, consisting of border patterns inspired by organic forms from nature and mythology as well as many counterchange patterns. Not only used as needlework patterns, these designs were also used to decorate armor, woven silk, and in painted and carved borders for pictures and mirrors. 42pp. Pb.

Traditional Blackwork Samplers - $24.00
Lesley Wilkins. This sequel to Lesley Wilkins' successful 'Beginner's Guide to Blackwork' offers a rich source of new ideas and inspiration to embroiderers, whatever their skill level. This timeless sixteenth century embroidery technique originated in Spain. Beautiful patterns were worked on to clothing as decoration and later on, blackwork designs were used to embellish household items. Inspired by the past, Lesley Wilkins illustrates her techniques with a whole host of flowers, plants, birds, animals and figures. She covers everything - from what materials to use and working with a chart, to getting started and how to stitch. Taking samplers as a theme, she creates an exquisite range of designs using black, red and gold threads. Borders are built up by repeating and joining motifs, and clear step-by-step photographs accompany the author's comprehensive instructions. All the designs are charted, with inspirational pictures of embroideries showing how to build up finished designs. 64pp. Pb.