Library of Needlework Books Online
If you're like me, you like needlework books. I especially like older needlework books, many of which are out of print, but which are generously made available online by different people involved in different special online textile projects. But, if you're like me, you can't necessarily spend lots of time sifting through the books to see which ones you might be interested in.... or, like me, you might spend the time sifting, only to regret it when you have other things to do!
So the purpose of this post, which will be available in the left side bar under "Online Needlework Books" is to help reduce the hours of searching for specific books online. I'm just going to create a casual "catalog" of online books devoted solely to needlework of various types that may be of interest to the hand embroiderer. I'll include a short description, so that you can see if you'd be interested before you spend too much time browsing.
I'll update the list as I sort through my links. If you know of any online books that are favorites of yours, feel free to let me know so I can add it to the list!
I've still got a few more links to add, so check back for updates! And please don't hesitate to suggest additions!
So the purpose of this post, which will be available in the left side bar under "Online Needlework Books" is to help reduce the hours of searching for specific books online. I'm just going to create a casual "catalog" of online books devoted solely to needlework of various types that may be of interest to the hand embroiderer. I'll include a short description, so that you can see if you'd be interested before you spend too much time browsing.
I'll update the list as I sort through my links. If you know of any online books that are favorites of yours, feel free to let me know so I can add it to the list!
- The Encyclopedia of Needlework
by Therese Dillmont
Made available by Project Gutenberg
Description: A comprehensive book on needlework, covering a whole range of techniques. You'll find photos of stitches and techniques, with text describing how they are worked. Some of the topics covered: surface embroidery of all types, crochet, knitting, lace-making, etc. If it's needlework, you're bound to find a reference for it in this book! - Jacobean Embroidery
by Ada Wentworth Fitzwilliam and A.F. Morris Hands
Made available by Project Gutenberg
Description: This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in crewel work, needlepainting, or, of course, Jacobean embroidery. It includes a brief history, followed by plenty of information on techniques and a whole slew of designs that provide inspiration for the embroiderer. - Beeton's Book of Needlework
by Isabella Beeton
Made available by Project Gutenberg (HTML format) and Antique Pattern Library in PDF form (links below)
Description: This is another comprehensive needlework book. It contains instructions and pictures of different techniques, as well as patterns and - the part I like best - some very nice monogram alphabets. The Antique Pattern Library supplies the book in PDF format (from Project Gutenberg), in three files: Part I, Part II, Part III. I like the 3rd file best, as it contains very nice coverage of needlelace techniques, including embroidered net (guipure), as well as the extensive index, which will help you find other stuff throughout the complete work. You'll find the section on monograms in the second file, starting on page 118 of the PDF. - Sajou Pattern Albums
by Sajou House (Maison Sajou)
Description: A wonderful collection of scans of old Sajou albums, which feature beautiful monogram alphabets and other designs for embroidery. They are not offered online as typical online books, but rather as scans of the original pamphlets. Great resource, especially if you're into counted thread techniques. - Art in Needlework (PDF - 24MB)
by Lewis F. Day
Available on American Libraries Internet Archive
Description: Another comprehensive resource, this one is made up of a good bit of text, but has some nice illustrations in it. There are some good descriptions of technique, but what I like about it is the dated commentary that runs through the book. "Linen is a worthy ground-stuff...Cotton is hardly worth embroidering." I like the section on "A Word to the Worker," starting on page 250 of the PDF. Much of what is said in this short chapter still holds true, and there are some very good tips for the embroiderer. - The Needles Excellency
by John Taylor, published in 1631
Made available by Godfrey's Bookshelf
Description: The first part of the book is a long poem called "The Praise of the Needle," after which you'll find a bunch of samples of patterns that can be used for petit point, cross stitch, filet, etc., and then heaps of needle lace designs which are very nice and would be easy to use, as they would simply require enlarging or tracing. As a very old needlework book, it's fun to browse through. - The Art of Modern Lacemaking
Published by Butterick in 1891
Made available by Project Gutenberg
Description: People who like to embroidery don't necessarily like the idea of making lace, admittedly - just because you like the one art doesn't mean you like the other! - but it's true that lace making and embroidery cross boundaries once in a while. Browsing through this book, you'll find some great patterns and some techniques that can be used in surface embroidery as well as lace making. Note the section on darning, for example. In the patterns, you'll find some really pretty inspirational pieces. The point lace butterfly pattern could be easily adapted to surface embroidery. - Assisi Embroidery
by Therese Dillmont
Made available by the On-Line Digital Archive of Documents on Weaving and Related Topics (hereafter, Digital Archive)
Format: Two PDF Files: Part One & Part Two
Description: Added at the beginning of August, 2007, this contribution to the digital archive will interest anyone who likes counted thread techniques and historical embroidery. The booklet has numerous magnificent examples, in color. The first part of the work is where you'll find the technique explained, and the second part is devoted primarily to color plates. - Church Embroidery and Church Vestments
by Lucy Vaughn Hayden Mackrille
Made available by Digital Archives
Description: This is an excellent resource for anyone interested in ecclesiastical textiles - whether you're interested in making them yourself, or you just like historical needlework, etc. While some of the terminology and materials are a little outdated, the majority of the book is priceless when it comes to technique, design, etc. It's an enjoyable book just to flip through, to see some inspiring needlework. The separate links to the PDF files are listed in my brief blurb on the book. - Embroidery and Tapestry Weaving
by Mrs. Archibald Christie
Made available by Project Gutenberg
This is a great book covering embroidery techniques, with plenty of pattern and design ideas. Fun to browse through!
I've still got a few more links to add, so check back for updates! And please don't hesitate to suggest additions!
Labels: online needlework books
Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, August 17, 2007
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6 Comments:
I have placed three of my Outline Stitch Embroidery/Redwork books on my website. They combine both history and designs from actual Victorian period pieces. The books are: Just for Fun Redwork, Emma's Quilt, and Redwork Embroidery and Needlework Traditions in Europe and America. Pat
http://www.quiltersmuse.com
Thanks for those old books, specially for Digital archive : I miss some Dilmont in books.
Dominique from Belgium
You're welcome, Dominique! I love Therese Dilmont's books!
I'm glad you found the links useful!
Hi ,
I found this website is very useful for me as a beginner. I want to know how to trace a design on a cloth. Please help me.
Deepa.
Well, if you're tracing it, Deepa, I'd draw or print the design on paper, tape the paper to a window, and tape your fabric over the pattern. Then, depending on the type of embroidery it is, I'd use a regular pencil (I use a mechanical pencil) to lightly and carefully trace the design. If I'm doing white on white embroidery, though, I would use a blue dressmaker's pencil.
You can use the prick and pounce method - or you could buy iron-on transfer paper and iron-on pens / pencils - but I don't personally like the iron on stuff, and the prick and pounce takes a lot longer than tracing in the window takes. You can find details on prick and pounce in the FAQ in the top menu (look under transferring a design).
Hope that helps!
Hi, I had visited your site before thu' Sharon's blog.I linked to all of the books mentioned in your cataloguebut had lost them to problems in our computer.I was trying to find them again when I found your link.Thanks for making my task so easy.
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