Needlework

The New Anchor Book of Blackwork Embroidery Stitches - $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 - $17.00
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 New Anchor Book of Hardanger - $17.00
Techniques and designs. The perfect introduction to hardanger embroidery. 40 stitches clearly explained with step-by-step working diagrams. Over 35 designs with easy to read charts and color photographs. 64pp. Pb.

Antique Needlework Tools - $96.00
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.

Backyard Beauties: Counted Cross-stitch - $7.00
Designed by Dynn Allaire. Counted cross stitch chart & instructions for an adorable collection of small birds. 10pp. Pb.

Beginners Guide to Blackwork - $26.00
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 - $28.00
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.

Charted Monograms for Needlepoint & Cross Stitch - $10.00
Rita Weiss. 350 beautifully designed monograms-all that can be composed with pairs of letters-to personalize table and bed linens, personal apparel and more. With crowns; several large and small alphabets with numerals; illustrated instructions. 36pp. Pb.

Elizabethan Cross Stitch - $27.00
Barbara Hammet. Enter a world of elaborate trelliswork, coiling stems and sumptuous fruits and florals. 95 designs created from the distinctive needlework and textiles of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Projects include: renaissance table linen; vibrant scrollwork pictures; luscious fruit and flowers bell pull and cushion; beaded trellis bags and pincushions; tree-of-life firescreen; traditional band sampler; floral notebook collection; four-seasons cushions; knot garden boxes. 105pp. Pb.

Embroidered Knot Gardens - $43.00
Owen Davies & Gill Holdsworth. Using three dimensional stumpwork, canvaswork and ribbonwork. 128pp. Hb.

Goldwork Embroidery - $45.00
Mary Brown. Ancient European tradition lives on in goldwork, an art form encompassing embroidery with all types of metal threads, not only gold. Once reserved for royalty and other aristocrats, goldwork is now available to all through this fully illustrated guide. Part historical reference, part project plan book, and fully stuffed with pattern templates, it is an authoritative sourcebook on the history, materials, and techniques of goldwork embroidery. There are 15 projects for readers to complete, such as the Ornamental Fan, Portrait of a Woman, a lush Cornucopia, and an arresting Byzantine Angel. Color photographs show examples of medieval designs, and provide visual guideposts through each new project, while a section on metal thread manufacturing delivers a rich historical perspective. 208pp. Pb.

Here Be Drolleries - $44.00
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 - $45.00
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.

In Praise of the Needlewoman - $55.00
Gail Carolyn Sirna. In this beautiful and rewarding collection of paintings that spans more than five centuries, Gail Carolyn Sirna explores artists' depictions of women engaged in the timeless and much loved pursuit of needlework. 190pp. Hb.

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.

Making Miniature Chinese Rugs & Carpets - $32.00
Carol Phillipson. There is a wonderful variety of ornate Oriental designs in this book of Chinese rug patterns. These being miniature, the largest one is about 5x7". Albeit small, the rugs are nothing short of spectacular in their design and use of color. There is a full page, color photograph of each finished rug as well as a full page, color chart of the design. A handy conversion chart in the back makes it possible to work the rugs in your choice of wool, cotton, or silk threads. Any of these patterns would make a lovely, rewarding project. 93pp. Pb.

Making Miniature Oriental Rugs & Carpets - $27.00
Meik & Ian McNaughton. This exquisite collection of 25 oriental rug and carpet designs will appeal to everyone interested in fine needlework. Each of the designs has been adapted to 1/12 scale from a full sized original, with a range of old and modern designs. For each design there is a colour photograph of the finished piece, along with a clear colour chart and list of thread shades. Advice on materials and techniques is also included, and information about the history and origins of the carpets adds extra interest. 102pp. Pb.

More Miniature Oriental Rugs & Carpets - $27.00
Meik & Ian McNaughton. Astounding workmanship of 24 splendidly detailed designs for the 1/12 scale dolls' house enthusiast. Worked on 24-count canvas, these patterns are not for the faint of heart. Each project includes a full color stitching chart and a color photograph of the finished rug. Interesting history of rug weaving in Turkey, The Caucasus, Iran and Central Asia bring the intricate patterns to life. There is a very useful section on correcting mistakes. After offering suggestions on how to fix errors is the encouraging, traditional Asian comment if your mistake cannot be rectified: "Only Allah is perfect." Profuse color photographs throughout. Pb.

Metal Thread Embroidery: Tools Materials and Techniques - $32.00
Jane Lemon. (Ex-Library book). From prehistoric origins in the East, metal thread embroidery skills travelled slowly west, reaching a peak in England with the great medieval period of embroidery, when the highly regarded "English Work" or Opus Anglicanum was in demand all over Europe. This comprehensive volume draws together in dictionary form a wide range of information on metal thread embroidery. Within the alphabetical arrangement, the text is divided up into five main sections, so that readers can go directly to the information they need. Tools and materials are described and the techniques are explained with the help of close-up photographs and clear diagrams. High quality illustrations of work, both historical and contemporary, will offer inspiration. 224pp. Hb.

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.

Stumpwork Medieval Flora - $55.00
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.

Traditional Blackwork Samplers - $22.00
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.

Traditional Samplers: 20 Cross Stitch Designs - $30.00
Brenda Keyes. Here is a British publication that fully lives up to its title, featuring 20 samplers with additional projects utilizing motifs pulled from the larger works. The book is divided into five main themes, beginning with intricate reproduction samplers — note the impressive 17th century band sampler of 24" length. The subject matter swings over to the simple charm of schoolroom designs, followed by celebration pieces for important life events. True to sampler work, the designs are largely interpreted in cross stitch on evenweave fabric, flavored with a handful of "sampler" stitches, such as queen's stitch, eyelet stitch and four-sided stitch. Full color photography. Pb.