Needlework

Alice Starmore's Celtic Needlepoint - $29.00
Alice Starmore. Using her stunning eye for design and knowledge of traditional designs, Alice Starmore brings you 18 original projects inspired by the artistry of the Celts. Done in the Celtic style which incorporates both the natural world and geometric design, each of the five chapters journeys through the stunning complexity of this historic art form. Designs are split into 'Key', spiral, knotwork, bird and tree and animal patterns worked in beautiful yarns on a variety of canvases. Needlepoint beginners have all the instruction they need in the techniques section, which discusses choosing yarns and canvases, as well as how to set up a project and begin creating amazing furnishings and gifts. And advanced crafters will find joy in the elegant complexity of several of the projects. Pb.

The New Anchor Book of Blackwork - $18.00
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.

The Bayeux Tapestry Embroiderers' Story - $30.00
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.

Beautiful Bargello - $25.00
Joyce Petschek. The author traces the history and legends surrounding this technique and presents references for the various terms used to describe this needlework style (bargello, Florentine embroidery, and Hungarian Point embroidery). The patterns are traditional in design but additional touches, such as beads in some designs and applications such as lamp shades and hat brims, are contemporary additions to the usual pillows and footstool covers. While there is no formal color theory covered, the lush photographs and the text take the reader on a mental journey through the author's vision of color and its relation to interior decor. Hb.

Beeton's Book of Needlework - $37.00
Isabella Mary Beeton. SAMUEL BUTLER'S PREFACE: "The Art of Needlework dates from the earliest record of the world's history, and has, also, from time immemorial been the support, comfort, or employment of women of every rank and age. Day by day, it increases its votaries, who enlarge and develop its various branches, so that any addition and assistance in teaching or learning Needlework will be welcomed by the Daughters of England, "wise of heart," who work diligently with their hands. The recent introduction of Point Lace has brought a finer, and, apparently, more difficult class of fancy work into general favour. Ladies may now, however, confidently commence, with our patterns before them, to reproduce Antique laces; for care and patience, with a knowledge of Point Lace stitches, are alone required to perfect the beautiful work, which, as shown in existing specimens of exquisite Old Lace, constitute the chief glory of women's refined industry in past centuries." From the original of 1870. The book includes descriptions of and instructions for tatting, embroidery, knitting, crochet, and point lace; which was a new technique at that time. The book also uses six hundred engravings. 436pp. Pb.

Beginners Guide to Blackwork - $21.00
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 - $22.00
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.

Blackwork Made Easy - $21.00
Lesley Wilkins. The author shows how to create traditional blackwork embroideries using simple stitches on evenweave fabric. Step by step photographs and a wealth of charts illustrate how traditional motifs, patterns and borders can be combined to create stunning designs. Lesley then goes on to show how to create band samplers inspired by those on which sixteenth century embroiderers collected their favourite designs, including figures, flowers, plants, birds and animals. Lesley combines a deep knowledge of and appreciation for historical embroideries with her own flair for design and practical teaching skill. This book contains all you need to know to produce beautiful embroideries inspired by history. 96pp. Pb.

Celtic Animal Charted Designs - $8.00
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 - $8.00
Co Spinhoven. Over 300 lovely designs from Book of Kells, Tara Brooch, other Celtic sources: spiral work, knot work, biomorphic patterns, more. 64pp. Pb.

Charted Peasant Designs from Saxon Transylvania - $18.00
Heinz E. Kiewe. 195 authentic cross-stitch folk designs, 11th through to early 20th century. Birds, flowers, geometric patterns, mythical beasts and more. 64pp. Pb.

Elizabethan Stitches - $53.00
Jacqui Carey. In 2009, Jacqui Carey published Sweet Bags: an Investigation into 16th and 17th Century Needlework detailing some of her academic and practical research that centred on these particular textiles. Elizabethan Stitches has been produced in an effort to expand on the practical issues raised by the author’s observations, and to aid those wishing to reproduce historic items. The author’s detailed study of surviving artefacts has revealed that many of the stitches found on 16th and 17th century textiles differ from those used today. For over one hundred years, publications discussing historic English needlework have described the historic stitches in relation to the stitches made popular by women such as Thérèse de Dillmont, Grace Christie (writing as Mrs. Archibald Christie), and Mary Thomas. However, the visual evidence found on the surviving textiles does not correspond with these modern interpretations. Unfortunately, most of the stitches shown in Elizabethan Stitches have been obsolete for so long that they do not appear in stitch dictionaries. It is hoped that this book will provide a valuable reference source for those wishing to identify and catalogue historic work, as well as providing practical ‘how-to’ instruction. All the stitches shown in this book have been found on surviving items, and case studies are used to provide the visual evidence. Diagrams are used throughout the book to clarify the stitch structures, and where possible the obsolete stitches have been compared to modern stitches that are recognised today. Step-by-step instructions offer a method for making each stitch, and a discussion of historic design shows how the stitches might be used. 160pp. 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 - $25.00
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 - $19.00
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.

Old Time Tools & Toys of Needlework - $39.00
Gertrude Whiting. Identifies and describes the function and development of nearly all the paraphernalia, accoutrements, appliances, accessories associated with all yarn and thread handicrafts. More than 200 illustrations of hoops, frames, pins, pincushions, punches, bobbins, bodkins, shuttles, spinning wheels, sewing machines, more from wide array of cultures. Index. 357pp. 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.

Renaissance Patterns for Lace, Embroidery & Needlepoint - $13.00
Frederico Vinciolo. Superb reproduction of most popular 16th-century lace design book by Queen of France's favorite patterner. Contains all of the nearly 100 original patterns for point coupe, reticella and guipure; the second part describes square netting and embroidery on cloth. 83 full-page plates. 93pp. Pb.

Stumpwork Medieval Flora - $54.00
Jane Nicholas. Examples of medieval stumpwork - the art of embroidering using raised, 3-D embellishments - can be found in museums and galleries throughout Europe. Considered among the most intricate and lovely of embroidery styles, it requires a delicate touch. Now the secrets of stumpwork are revealed through eight beautiful floral projects, all inspired by the 16th century illuminated Book of Hours created by Jean Bourdichon for Anne of Brittany. The embroideries include "Corncockle and Dragonfly," "Snowdrop and Cranefly," and the lovely "Venus’ Looking Glass and Bumble-bee." In addition to instructions for every technique, this fully-illustrated book also provides tracing patterns and a comprehensive stitch glossary. 288pp. Hb.

Sweet Bags - $69.00
Jacqui Carey. This is a serious, scholarly study of a unique item from the late-sixteenth to early-seventeenth century. She examines in great detail thirty-five examples that she selected from British museum collections to illustrate various points. The first half of the book's 139 pages investigates the history, speculates on the use, and reveals the construction of these items. The second half of the book, examines and anylizes the specific stitches used to create the needlework and braiding. The color macro photos are stunning, and the stitch diagrams are clear and easy to follow. 140pp. Pb.