Today, because it’s Monday and it’s always good to start the week on an Up Note, I’m going to give away an embroidery book!
Initially, I was going to give away two embroidery books today. But I have all kinds of Monday Morning Excuses why I changed my mind. The dominating reason, though, is that the books are completely unrelated (except in their use of needle and thread), and it occurred to me that, while you might really want one of them, you might not want the other. And what if you won the one you didn’t want??! Oh gosh! That would be the pits!!!
So I decided to do them separately. Today’s give-away:
Yes, yes! You have the opportunity to win a free copy of the Royal School of Needlework’s new Essential Stitch Guide on Whitework embroidery. If you don’t know what this book is all about, you may wish to read my review of it, where you’ll find a detailed description of the book and lots of photos and lots of reasons why I like it!
The way it works is this:
1. Leave a comment on this article on the website (not via e-mail or on any other article on the website) by Saturday, August 18, at 5:00 am Central Time (that’s for Kansas, USA). On Saturday, I will announce the winner. The give-away has ended! Thanks for participating!
2. In your comment, answer the following:
What’s your all-time favorite embroidery technique and why do you like it?
(For example: Are you completely besotted with crewel work because you like fuzzy wool? Are you a counted thread person exclusively, because you like working from a chart? Are you a goldwork junkie, because you’re addicted to metal threads? Do you prefer whitework, because you like the pristine purity of white-on-white embroidery? Are you a general all-around surface embroidery nut, because you like playing with all kinds of threads, colors, textures, stitches, fabrics….? ‘Fess up! What’s your needlework passion?! If you’re just starting out and you haven’t quite developed a needlework passion yet, just tell us what you like doing most with your needle and thread.)
3. Please (pretty please, with sugar on top) leave a recognizable name, either in the “name” line on the comment form, or within the text of your comment. Instead of just signing “Pat,” for example, you might put Pat in Punxsutawney. Get it?
4. Keep an eye out next Saturday to see if you’ve won, so you can contact me with your mailing address. I’ll order the book and have it shipped directly to you as soon as I hear from and confirm the winner.
See, isn’t it simple?! So, sign up below if you’re hankering to get your hands on this new book from the Royal School of Needlework! Do, do! You’ll love the book! You’ll learn a lot from it! You want it! You know you do! Enter my give-away! Please! I’m begging you…
Enjoy your Monday! (For those of you ending your Monday already, I hope it was a good one!)
White on white is my most favorite type of embroidery. When I learned to do hemstitching as a little girl, I thought that was the most wonderful thing to ever learn. It looked so delicate and neat and, though without much adornment, could make the plainest piece of cloth look lovely.
Thank you for the opportunity to win this book, Mary.
I enjoy most forms of embroidery, especially to add to my costuming and sewing. It just takes it up an extra level, even if you don’t spend a lot of time on it!
I have to say, even though it’s been harder for me to figure out, I love whitework — especially the stitches that warp the weave and create such lacy patterns. If I could finally get the hang of that type of whitework, more than any other type of embroidery, I think I would be one happy gal!
Being relatively new to the surface embroidery scene, I have to say that I have fallen in love with ecclesiastical embroidery (being clergy is sort of the family business). I love that fact that you can create beautiful objects that will be used! Up until know its been small things (linen towels and altar clothes) but I would love to acquire this whitework book so I might learn more and expand the types of projects that I can do. I just love that pure white on white for altar linens. Thanks!
I love counted thread embroidery of all types. The precision is what does it for me – I like to be able to count exactly where I am at all times!
My favourite technique is encrusted crazy quilting because I can use so many different stitches and elements.
Ultimamente tenho bordado com fio contados, gosto muito, mas também gosto de bordado livre e adoro aprender outros tipos de bordado. Adoraria ganhar esse livro!!Beijos
Hi Mary,
I like all things needlework. I primarily do surface embroidery and needlepoint. I enjoy challenging myself with learning new techniques.
Belle Gallay
I absolutely LOVE all kinds of needlework and this is one that I have tried and was not happy with my result. This would help me learn this beautiful embroidery.
No need to enter me, I guess, as I loved your review so much I have already ordered the book! I am truly besotted with whitework. I have done just about every from of embroidery there is, but I simply ADORE pulled and drawn work. I bought Gay Eaton’s Ukrainian Whitework, and I am embarking on several of those patterns.
I thoroughly enjoy your e-letters and wait for them impatiently. You do SUCH a stellar job! I bought your booklet on herringbone and love it, and I was thrilled to be able to put my money where my mouth is and support your efforts!
Thanks for all you do!
Anya
My favorite technique is surface embroidery, specifically the outline stitch. I like to draw my own pictures of things that are meaningful to me, such as a memento of a trip, transfer them to a towel, and embroider them in outline stitch. I include wording which is also done in outline stitch.
I’ve always wanted to try whitework so this book would be the perfect instructor.
Love your website, visit it almost every day. Judith
Love this idea! I’ve recently seen some wonderful paintings turned into outline-stitch profiles that were fantastic. I need to try this.
I would love to win this book. I like to cross stitch but would like to learn other forms of embroidery. Thanks Mary for your site and for the opprtunity to win this book.
To use your phrase, I am a whitework junky because I love the finished texture and the shadow play of white on white. To be honest, I would have to add blue on blue or mauve on mauve. I know you know what I mean!
Though I enjoy adventures in other techniques, my favorite remains the simple embroidery I learned as a child. Pretty colors applied to items that will be used and loved, I can’t think of a better use of my time.
Your articles are inspiring. My needlework preference is cross stitch because most nights, I want something mindless to do. I am not much of an artist with drawing/painting so it allows me to paint
For me, just “standard” embroidery is my favorite thing. At least of late, and it is largely due to the fact that I have fallen in love, seriously! In love with the stem stitch. And that is due to your blog Mary, so thank you! For years I hated to even try because mine was just not pleasing. Then everything just clicked after checking out your tutorials, and I shortened my stitch length and concentrated on keeping them uniform…and now, can’t stop stitching! Thanks so much for all you do!
Kathy
Hi Mary,
How exciting! Another yummy book! I have RSN’s Blackwork book and it’s terrific. I’ve started using some of the shading techniques in my surface work. It’s a whole different ball game.
My favourite sort of embroidery to do is surface work. I like the freedom to explore and combine different techniques and threads. I can imagine that learning about whitework will add a whole new dimension to my creativity.
Cheers,
Jen
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book! I mostly do counted cross stitch but I really love it when the chart includes other stitches like herringbone, rice, satin, etc. My mom just passed down some of my grandmother and great-aunt’s stitching (tea towels, doilies, tatting, hankies) so I may try more techniques soon.
What a wonderful book to have in my library. I am new at a lot of the different types of work and would love the new addition as a reference.
I also enjoy your newsletter with the demonstrations on them. Keep up the good work.
Forgot to add that I mostly do Counted cross stitch – but also enjoy black work,and some canvas work. I have taken some classes with white work and fine french hand stitching. I love keeping my hands working at all times.
I’m not sure I have a single favorite kind of embroidery. I’ve lately gotten very into temari, but want to continue in goldwork, and have at least eight counted work projects going on. I guess that makes me an eclectic stitcher! On the other hand, I’m really not very fond of things like chicken scratch and other “Bulky” techniques. Call my favorite embroidery technique intricacy!
You asked for favorite techniques. Mine is pulled thread embroidery. I find the emergence of the lace-y patterns just fascinating. It always takes a few rows of stitching to see the full effect and then there is that ‘WOW’ moment. Selecting stitches with just the right density to create shading is another aspect that I find absorbing. And the rhythm is stress relieving and makes time fly. The best stitching escape I’ve ever found.
I love to embroidery and you have the most beautiful designs and techniques to making a beautiful picture. I love the tutorials as you explain the different techniques very well!
i’m not really stuck on one kind of embroidery or one kind of thread. i love the variety and like trying and experimenting with it all.
Oh, Mary, what a great way to start the week! I’m one of those all around surface embroidery nuts. Just can’t help myself! Would L O V E to have the whitework book for my library.
Hi Mary! What a great way to start a Monday morning! I am a counted chart kind of a girl, with some surface embroidery thrown in! I am a beginner at Hardanger and Whitework, and would love to learn more. Thanks for the chance to win such a great book!
p.s. I have both RSN’s Blackwork and Crewelwork books and love them!
Favourite embroidery? Simple to say – whitework. Otherwise I would not register for the give-away. Why? For possibility to be creative. For such enormous possibilities in stitches, shapes, details. For such rich texture and such breath taking result. For cleaness. I’ve tried many technics, but this one I coming back and back. I love schwalm, I love traditional Lithuanian whitework, I love hedebo, portugal whitework – all of them are just fantastic!
Good morning, Mary,
Gold and silk shading are my favorite but whitework has always intrigued me although I have yet to try it.
Thank you for your generosity,
Maria VF
I admire white work the most of any stitching,
but don’t actually do too much. So this book
would give me the necessary instruction to get
started doing more.
Dear Mary,
I have read your review earlier in your posts and this book made me drool! It looks fabulous and how wonderful it would be to be able to add it to my library. I love whitework, Casalguidi, counted thread, just about everything. However, top on my list is stumpwork. It intrigues me with the dimensionality of it all. Detached pieces, padding, a touch of gold and I am in love! The historic pieces leave me breathless! Thank you for this fine offering.
Peg F. from NJ
I love the French Knot. I learned this stitch at my Great grandmothers knee. It made me an embroiderer for life!
I confess I like it all. White work, black work, crewel, Goldwork, Brazilian, stump work. I even like thread painting thoughnI complain the whole time I’m working on it that it’s tedius. I have all the other RSN books and would love to add this to the collection. If I don’t win, I’ll just order it from the School. My husband would prefer I win.
Melody
Thanks for the great blog.
I’ve just started doing crewel work, and I’m so in love with it! It all started with a project that turned out to be beyond me, so I decided to learn all I can. The fact that I’m actually able to do the stitches, especially the french knot and the bullion knot tickles me to death! Thank you, thank you, thank you for Needle ‘n Thread, it’s wonderful!
Since finding your site I am intrigued to step outside the lines! Lol. My only experience with embroidery has been with stamped designs, and I love it. The white work is new to me, only heard of red work. The only time I use red is for Christmas…so the white work excited me. Hope I win the giveaway to expand my skills. Thank you for taking the time and energy to share your knowledge of embroidery with us. You are an inspiration. Your emails are the first one I look for and open first…you have replaced my FB curiosity! Keep up the wonderful work.
I like counted work esp. Hardanger. I like the precisionof the count and the order of the techniques.
However, i do collect linens with whitework on them. I like the texture acheived with various stitches and threads and the intricities of the pulled thread areas.
Thank you, you are so generous. I like this book. I think that it is a good reference for Whitework. I am member of a guild of around 100 members and we done lot of Whitework. I am the librarian of the guild and I would like to add it to your library. This year, we do not have money to buy new books.
Happy stitching,
Nicole
I love all sorts of needlework. I started learning embroidery with my grandmother when I was 7 years old. I love counted cross stitch as this is the form of needlework I found easy while I was in the middle of my career. Now, I am retired I am learning surface work and really enjoy working with all different threads. Recently, I have introduced to white work and love the ‘look’ of it. This book certainly would be beneficial to me to advance in whitework. I would love it! Thanks, Judy,in Charleston, South Carolina.
I love all types of embroidery from basic stem stitch to machine embroidery. My most favourite type of embroidery though is Stumpwork. I love the fact that you can ‘build’ a design and make it your own, fromw the tiny wings of a bee to the fabulous shapes of leaves and petals. I have two stumpwork designs that I have done. One is a fuscia with a hovering hummingbird and the other one is of a harvest mouse sitting amongst brambles and blackberries. It’s from a photograph I once saw in a mgaazine. Thread painting is also a real love. I have a TP of a robin in full flight again from a photograph.
I wish the days were longer to do everything I love.
I would love this book. Whitework has always fascinated me.
I love almost all kinds of embroidery. Right now I am doing whitework, silk and goldwork and small monogram.
I like them for the different qualities. The pristine purity of working with white linen on white linen.
The amazing colours of silk blended perfectly in needlepainting with an accent of gold to make it pop.
The monogram is a favor for a friend, fun but not something I love.
Tania
I love all kinds of needlework, but find the rhythm of cross stitch truly meditative. Second fav would be blackwork because of the history represented and the incredible beauty of what is deceptively simple. Third, surface embroidery because it’s like painting with thread.
Necessity of age is leading me to needlepoint as I can see the wholes so much better!
It is time to start stitching! After raising numerous children–we are now empty-nesters! It is time to get back to doing those things that my creative nature enjoys! I LOVE the white on white embroidery and I love anything ecclesiastical.
I love your site and your life’s work! Thank you!
Patty from Abbey House
I really love stitching of all types. I especially love samplers. Working on linen it just amazes me to see the beautiful things that are wrought with needle and thread. My favorite thread to work with is silk. I also love to do white work. It is so beautiful to see the shapes and forms that come from white on white.
Hi Mary
I’m so excited about this book! My love for whitework is fast growing into an obsession. I am awed by the sheer variety of techniques possible with white fabric and thread; I am mesmerised by the sculptural quality of the different textures created and the interplay between positive and negative space. There’s the pleasure also of working with with beautiful fabrics and threads. I think seeing the pattern gradually emerge on a plain piece of linen appeals to the same part of my brain that enjoys sudoku or solving a puzzle. I don’t think there’s a cure … so I think the answer is to go with it.
Thanks for the chance to win this book, Mary. Take care and have a great day.
Kathryn
I would love this book! I love all kinds of embroidery although drawn thread work is a current favorite.
Rebecca from Plano
it’s amazing! This book was opened exactly on the stitch that I was going to present which is the typical Lefkada (Greek Island) embroidery stitch. It shows once more how small is the world. By the way I am very interested on this book. Please add me to the drawing. Thank you.
My fav type of Needkework is drawn thread and whitework. I have done several by the Drawn Thread and live when the samplers I do have cutwork in them. Thanks for this chance to own one if these wonderful books.
What a question! What don’t I like and what haven’t I tried…nothing
Probably hardanger with cross stitch. I like the lacy effect of the end product. My Mom used to do whitework and cutwork, before she was married “69″ years ago. I’ve always wanted to learn, but by the time I wanted to learn Mom couldn’t help. So I’m turning to you and your givaway. Hope I win!
Whitework with drawn thread or pulled thread is my passion. I have always thought less is better. Working without color, or very subtle color, is the embroidery that is less used and sought to learn of all the other embroidery technigues. It is an elegant display of needle technique, rather than all about color. One sees the stitches, rather than the color. It’s focus is design and presentation. It applauds a job well done by the stitcher.
Wow! This is amazing. Where do I begin?
First I have to admit I am totally new to this handwork. I haven’t done enough to know which one I like the most. Wait I do know. It’s the whitework that always catches my eye.
I have collected antique table runners and items that all have whitework. I even buy ready-made clothing that have the look of whitework on them. I am just so amazed at the beauty of these works of art. My goal is to be able to create works like this on my own.
The only lessons on handwork I had was during a Home Economics class at school. We made a gym bag and I embroidered my name on it. I don’t know of too many schools left that have these Home Economics classes in them now. What a shame.
I have purchased every one of the Country Bumpkin’s Inspiration magazine and their A to Z books. I’ve also purchased several of their kits. All with the intention of doing them of course.
These books are my nighttime reading while in bed. Then during my dreams I am an artist. Now if only I could be that during the waking hours.
I see the pictures in the magazine or book of how the stitches are supposed to look but somehow mine don’t always look the same when done. Not all the images are as detailed as I have found on Mary Corbet’s website.
My latest adventure is with a piece of linen 38 count which has pulled threads – Yikes!. I’m planning on making this wedding ring pillow from Country Bumpkin’s Inspiration Issue #74.
I am so pleased to have found Mary’s website which has helped me so much. I didn’t even know how to count how many threads I had in a piece of linen until Mary answered that for me.
I’m using a smaller scrap piece of linen to practice on.
I’ve also joined a Stitchery Guild in my area this year. Can’t wait for the group to start meeting.
I have the RSN Whitework Stitch Guide on my wish list to purchase. I would just love to win this book. Then I would have more money to buy other RSN books. Just from the images of the pages Mary has shown from the contents of this book makes it a MUST HAVE for my collection.
I’ll keep practicing so that someday I can become an artist of whitework.
Eva McCormack
Queen of Whitework – someday
I enjoy all types of embroidery but my favorite of all times is ribbon embroidery. It has a sense of elegance and stands out to the human eye. My teacher, who recently passed on taught me some beautiful works.
I am a counted thread person, with Hardanger being my favorite. I’d say pulled- and drawn-thread are close runners-up. So maybe my favorite is somethng which combines all of them! This book would fit the bill on all counts!
I like surface embroidery with lots of different stitches, and I like cross stitch. Although I’ve been stitching for around 40 years, you inspired me to design my first piece last winter. It was a “heritage piece” for a wedding and turned out very well. Thank you for your dedication, wonderful instructions, and attention to detail!
My first love is Stumpwork- I just love the realism that can be achieved and I am always looking around me at things with an eye to “how could I do that in stumpwork?”
But a close second is pulled thread whitework. I have been making pulled thread technique guest towels for my powder room racks out of all the different pulled thread Group Correspondence Course offerings thru the EGA. I just love the transformation of plain linen to lace! Each new stitch is a surprise once you get the rhythm going. It is addicting.
This book is on my birthday list!
I like counted thread work because I find it relaxing and like the way it look. Really, I like any type of embroidery that I’ve tried and suspect I’ll like the ones I haven’t tried once I get around to them.
My favorite technique for needlework includes openwork, but I enjoy any kind of openwork: hardanger, cutwork, drawn thread, etc. I love that lacy effect that pulling or cutting the threads gives to the final piece. Lots of these methods are traditionally done white on white, so this book should be very helpful.
eathompson790
Ooh goodie I have been waiting ALL weekend for this!!!
I’m only in my 20′s and so starting off on my needlework journey! I love cross stitching, because thats what I started off on, but now am planning my First Ever Whitework Project! (Gasp!) I cant wait to begin, and have ordered my first ever evenweave fabric (instead of aida!!) So I would LOVE to be in with a chance of winning your giveaway, because it would be perfect to help me gain confidence with this beautiful technique!
Many thanks, and have a Lovely Day!
It has to be samplers; antique are best but I enjoy modern ones also. Why? Because most women didn’t have the chance to express themselves thru writing, industry etc… but they could pick up needle and thread and leave a (lasting) record of themselves. A snapshot in time of their personalities and what was important. Not only could it be useful but it is art. So Mike had his ceiling; Mary had her needle and thread. Both created things of beauty. And Mike was a mature man but Mary was a young thing.
I think I’m more of general all-around surface embroidery. I use to just do straight floss emboridery when I was younger. Later on in life I was introduced to yarn and started crewel work, it gave more of a dementional look to it. I am starting to branch out and learn new kinds of needlework thats related to emboridery.
icia
I love crewel embroidery. I love the variety of colors available to the style and and the variety of stitches that create so many beautiful textures. On top of that, wool is forgiving whether working on traditional linen or on wool fabric. If your tension isn’t perfect, add a bit of steam from the iron and the wool relaxes making your stitches perfect.
Thanks for this give away!
Holding a hoop and needle has always been my favorite past time. Now that I’m retired, I’m learning there is more to this than x stitch and outline stitch. I’ve enjoyed learning new stitches from your videos Mary, and every time you review a book, I realize how much more there is to learn. My favorite (of recent) is felted wool and applique. Thanks for the give-a-way offer.
Annette
o my goodness. Gorgeous. Please, you have no idea how very much I love this work. …:::sighs:::…
Thank you so much for the opportunity, Mary … here’s hoping ♥ !
I am a counted cross stitch person because I find it utterly fascinating to watch the picture immerge from a blank piece of material. I never tire of creating that. Thanks for the give away.
Hi Mary,
I love any kind of counted thread work from charts, including needlepoint and samplers..I find it an excellent way to learn new stitches. I have never tried Whitework but it looks very interesting!
Jan B. in Florida
I absolutely love love love whitework. I’ve tried Mountmellick and admit I’m a novice. I’ve done one piece but who knows if I’ve done everything correctly. I’m a junkie for instructional books as they don’t seem to offer classes in our area. And if I can’t make something in whitework I buy it, old or new. Nothing counted as my vision isn’t that great anymore. But I love white on white!
While I have fallen in love with Redwork, reading your review and seeing the illustrations in the book, makes me want to put everything else (quilting, redwork,dimensional embroidery) aside and get started. Thanks for your informative and often, funny, remarks in your review of this book.
Hi Mary,
I love your blog, you give such great information!
There are few types of embroidery I DON’T like, but right now my favorite is stump work. I love the three-dimensional aspect and, since I am no pen-and-paper artist, the beauty created by thread painting.
Helen Lively
I love jacobean embroidery the most. I think it’s the variety within the pattern that appeals to me!
Thanks for your blog and giveaways!
Please,would you enter me in your giveaway.I like all the technics of embroidery & your videos are very helpfull! thanksalot.Béa
I have several old pieces of white work made by my grandmother and aunt, both accomplished needleworkers. I have always wanted to attemt it, but due to a busy work schedule and other projects, I have never tried it.
I like counted cross stitch, as I teach a Fiber Arts class in an urban school district and it is a great way to introduce them to hand stitching. I also teach them basic embroidery stitching, which some of them enjoy, while others find it difficult.
I am looking forward to this new school year, as I have a group of students who are taking my Fiber Arts class who seem to be interested in learning the art of sewing and needlework. I have been thinking of some new projects for them, but usually gear the curriculum to their strengths and interests.
Hi Mary – great way to start the week, I love all kinds of embordery, my favourites are counted thread, particularily Hardanger – happy stitching everyone!!
My all-time favorite is hardanger. Love working the white on white in most cases, been have ventured out and trying to add some color. Next up is learning Schwalm work through an EGA course. I have been reading about this book for a while now and would love the opportunity to win one. Thanks.
Cynthia
HI Mary, Thank you again for the opportunity to win an awesome item from you! The needlework I do the most is counted cross stitch, but I also enjoy Hardanger, Pulled Thread, Drawn Thread and Whitework. I would like to learn goldwork and thread painting soon also.
The reason I like Whitwork is the simplicity of style, (not that all the stitches are simple, many have a very complex style to them), the texture of the thread/stitches. I have one piece I have begun, and it is amazing to me how the color of the thread looks different depending on the stitch pattern and direction the threads are moving, even though it’s all the same thread color!
Thanks again and I hope I win!!
Cindy J.
I have mostly done counted cross stitch, blackwork, and canvas work. I like the precision of counted techniques that allows me to make my stitches exactly uniform. I love all types of embroidery that I have tried though and white work fascinates me. I would love to win this book. Alessandra in CT.
I love counted cross stitch and embroidery such as redwork. But I love seeing all those beautiful stitches you create and want to do it all! I have seen whitework and have always wanted to try it, it is just a matter of time. Course this book would encourage me to do now instead of later.
I’m just learning and absolutely loving doing ‘needlepainting’ I have nearly finished the sampler from your site and found it a fantastic help. Also just bought the book ‘home sweet home’ after readeing your review – I think I will love doing the mbroidery and hope I can manage the construction part. Never done whitework but I think it looks so sophisticated and clean and would love to learn that too. First time I realise I am thankful for having to retire early because of disability – at least now I have time for all this needlework!
My fav is all around surface embroidery because you’re always doing something different-no time to get bored with all x’s, etc. That’s why I love love love your website, I’m learning all kinds of stitches I never did before. I want to embroider some designs/monograms on handkerchiefs this winter so I would love this book. I also want to venture into “open-work” because I think it looks so lacy and it looks as though book takes you there. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and talent with all of us.
I just realized that in my enthusiasm to leave a comment I missed some info you requested.
My all time favorite embroidery technique is called Karsaniki, it’s a Greek stitch and sample you can see in below link.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FnAB2GApkUs/TsOHVaw-yXI/AAAAAAAAIpo/hhnmprMY0_0/s1600/PA270021%25281%2529.JPG
It’s the most delicate I have seen and I can handle that is, and silk thread is used for that on cotton cloth.
My “recognizable” name is Mary Givetsi
Thanks again
My favorite needlework technique is cross stitch. I guess it is because I love order, and I love counting. The blocks are all ‘in order’, and you can create lovely artwork/pictures out of the blocks and colored thread! And, of course, when you do counted cross stitch, you have to count!
Thanks for the chance to win this free book! I have been thinking I would like to do whitework.
Army Wife Angela
I LOVE white work and have been doing my best using computer searches to advance my skills! Since I was a little girl, when my Mom taught me the basics, I have been an all around surface embroidery nut! I discovered whitework by accident and love the buttonhole and satin stitches used in cutwork. The white on white is like taking a mental holiday! No thinking about color patterns, and a beautiful product as a result! I would love a new book, and just keep getting better and better at this…it is so enjoyable!
Mary –
I love your website and look forward to the daily email.
Thank you for your instruction, your humor, and your give-aways!
I am entering to win this beautiful book
Just because
I need
all the help
I can get!
Christie in Appleton
I usually do counted cross stitch from a chart. I prefer the chart to stamped.
However, I have been wanting to learn other needlework methods and this book would be extremely helpful.
Thank you for the chance to win.
What kind of a needlework person am I….. I guess I’m an all sort of needlework person. I like crewel, cross stitch, hardanger, whitework, stumpwork, you name it I like it. I like the materials, the possibilities and the fact that I can do this and ponder the greater questions in life. Sometimes I do whitework because it is simple in colour, easy to the eye. Sometimes I go wild with crewel in bright colours.
I would really like to add this book to my collection, because I really like Lizzy. She is a very good teacher, though how she can embroider with these beautiful long nails is a total mystery to me.
I would love to say that white on white is my favorite type of embroidery but to be honest I’ve never done it.
I learned the normal embroidery stitches (and some intricate) ones from books and the internet. It all started with my love of crazy quilts. I do love color & texture and I love to see what can be done with those.
Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book.
*stand* My name is Ren and I’m an Opus Anglicanum Junkie.
Seriously, I love the style and I’m not even “religious”! I love to see the way the colors shine and shimmer with the gold and stitches. It always amazes me how three simple stitchs can create such an amazing bit of art. My favorite part of it is how the gold takes on a completely different look when you use a different color of thread to hold it down.
I do enjoying new embroidery stitches, but always tend to come back of OA’s satin, split and couch.
I love to do all kinds of embroidery work but definitely counted is my favourite. Using new stitches and learning them is really fun in my opinion.
Thanks for the wonderful information and giveaway opportunity.
My favorite embroidery is surface embroidery as I find it very relaxing and I love playing with the colors of thread and using new stitches in my project. Thank you, Mary for your newsletter and videos that have helped me learning new stitches. I have wanted to do whitework embroidery and would love to have a book that encourages me to get started. Judie in Hesperia
My favourite form of embroidery does not involve counting (well, at least not too much!). I like to experiment and combine techniques. Fibers and threads in alll forms appeal to me and call out for sampling. I enjoy periods of calm and quiet – and like to do whitework, or even a little Hardanger, in the traditional manner. And then I am on to mixed media art works and wild surface stitches.
My all-time fav is sampler reproductions. Not only do I like the finished piece but the process of getting finished is fun. It’s nice to sort of “commune” with my fellow women of times past and work on something they also worked on.
I don’t know that I’m completely besotted with any one type of needlework. I love it all! What I’m working on at any one time is my favorite. I do mostly counted work because that’s what is in my stash. I think I’m newly in love with pulled thread work as it is interesting and magical to see what happens to the fabric. Thank you for yet another book give-away.
I love needlepoint! I like to play with stitches and threads and even try different techniques o canvas.
This spring and summer I have been doing a bunch of reading on diferent techniques: ie goldwork, stumpwork, and color. And even though most of these suggest linen or very fine embroidery fabric I want to try some on 18 count needplepoint canvas or congress cloth.
Would love to win this book! Have been keeping my eye out for it here in the states…And also the silk shading book from the Royal School. How can you go wrong with a book fom the Royal School?
Thanks for this wonderful offer! sudukc
Dear Mary
I taught myself needlework some 10 years ago when I happened to see my sister in law’s bullion roses from the Inspirations magazine. I was hooked; ordered the next copies and practised and practised. I love all sorts of needlework, but my all time favourite is stump-work. I’ve tried a small piece of counted whitework, but it wasn’t very successful as I had no books on the subject to help me. I would love a copy of the RSN’s whitework book so that I can learn from the experts.
Your videos on different stitches has helped me a lot too, as I find it easter being shown how to do a stitch than following diagrams.
best wishes
Brenda Clark
I’m a surface free style embroidery nut, I love following curves with stem stitches; once I get going it’s very meditative!
Thank you for the chance at winning this book.. I enjoy learning new techniques and love that this book has a spiral binding.
♥
sew jen sews in tn.
What a gorgeous looking book! I am almost exclusively a “counting” person but I can see things in this book that I would love to incorporate into some of my current projects. Please add my name to the list of possible winners! Ellen H in VA…
I’m a Brazilian embroidery nut. I love the feel of the wonderfully colorful rayon threads and the beautiful, dimesional results of the stitches. Learning to do whitework would be a wonderful opportunity, not to mention trying the techniques with my Brazilian embroidery rayons.
Mary C. in Vancouver, WA
I too love white work and this book would be a treasured possession to me and i know i would get many many hours of pleasure from it.
I don’t know what my favorite kind of stitching is, I just like holding a needle and getting into the groove of a project. I think free hand embroidery designs would probably be on top though because the creating can be so free-flowing and relaxing.
I have tried most every kind of embroidery and like them all to varying degrees. I always come back to counted thread though.
While I like the pristine quality of all-white on white, I also love colour, so I guess I’m a general all-around surface embroidery nut. I like raised embroidery,too, and adding tatting to it sometimes. I would really love to win this book, Mary, so thanks for the chance.
I only really have experience with cross stitch and hardanger but there are so many more things I look forward to trying. Whitework has been at the top of my list because it looks so elegant!
Hi, Mary -
Love, love, love your giveaways – you are awesome! I recently took a one-day whitework class and fell in love with the pristine-ness of it and so reading your review of the RSN Whitework book REALLY captured my attention. I would love to win a copy and learn and practice and play more with white-on-white!
As for my favorite type? That’s a hard one. I haven’t dabled much in surface embroidery…I like lots of counted techniques, including counted canvaswork, Hardanger, pulled thread, cross-stitch. Perhaps for today I will declare blackwork my favorite. Ask me a different day and there might be a difference response! But, always anxious to try something new – you just never know when you are going to fall in love.
Many thanks for your give-away opportunities!!!
arlene in NJ
I would love to win this book. I’ve tried Schwalm embroidery twice and liked it, but I’d love to branch out and try other types of whitework.
My needlework passion – all things counted, not just cross stitch, but all of the disicplines that require counting. I’ve tried crewel, but unless I use non-wool thread my fingers break out in a rash, and I’m not real good at staying in the lines. I’ve tried just about all stitching varieties, but keep coming back to counting.
I have mainly done counted cross-stitch over the years, though a little surface embroidery when I was younger. I love to work on 28 and 32 ct aida because of the fine detail it gives to a piece. Since I work at a museum with a lovely clothing collection, I have recently fallen in love with early 19th century whitework and would love to give it a try. I am just not sure how to start. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!
I have done all kinds of needlework over the years. I prefer counted over surface because I like the exactness of it. I have been in EGA and ANG and have done classes in everything from temari to beadwork to canvas and linen.
Currently I have too many UFOs to count and am working on Gay Ann Roger’s Elizabeth.
I am new to needlework. I love learning the stitches, and I am fascinated by the colors and texture’s of the threads available. It’s magical
My favorite is still crewel work, because I love the way the thread looks, and I’m a big fan of the Jacobean style.
Hi Mary,
Any form of embroidery will do for me! Since I seriousely returned to embroidery about three years ago, I will give any form of embroidery a go. At the moment it is beetle wing embroidery and white work mostly. I’ve just seen the most amazing 18th century cuffs this weekend. They were embroidered on very (and I mean VERY) fine linen. They were exhibited at the Bisdom Van Vliet museum in Haastrecht, the Netherlands. The museum is housed in the former home of the last Bisdom Van Vliet decendant. Everything was left as it was when she died in 1923. All the curtains (with beautiful tassles), floor coverings, table cloths, bed textiles etc. There is even a room full of gowns! I will definetely return to sketch some of the patterns on the curtains and on those spectaculair very fine white work cuffs!
Thank you very much for all the lovely information on your website!
Have a nice day, Jessica
Crewel embroidery is part of my “time travel” hobby. My husband and I do demonstrations at original historic sites related to colonial New France and the western Great Lakes fur trade of the 18 and early 19th centuries. A friend of ours does natural dying of wool yarns/threads used in French Canadian finger weaving (which she also demonstrates), and she started throwing in wool suitable for crewel work for me. I create reproductions of embroidered pockets, petticoats, stomachers and other small items. Now I’m edging into whitework, since it was a popular alternative to lace in our time period. It’s also the only common use of cotton embroidery thread I can document for our area of focus; otherwise it’s crewel and silk. (Ah, such hardship, working with hand-dyed wool and luscious silk! A color-junkie’s dream.)
My favorite at the moment is creating samplers. I like trying out new stitches and seeing how the colours look together.
Thanks,
Rachel
Oh! What a wonderful opportunity! Thank you Mary. Your site is so inspiring. I’m learning a lot.
Being a newbie, my favorite is where I began, counted threads. However, I’m exppanding my knowledge & my references. Would love to try whitework & the RSN book review makes it seem doable. Thanks again.
I went to London last year and one of things I most wanted to do was to go visit the RSN at Hampton Court. I got out there and sigh- it was closed that day!! I was so sad but I took one of their brochures for classes and books. I like to do white work because I make Christening gowns and like to embroidery them white on white and add the child’s name. My favorite emboidery technique is freeform- I just finished a tree of life on the back of a jacket- very freeform and lots of bright colors. I also like to combine ribbon and yarn to do emboidered flowers on sweaters and jackets. I like to give expression to my creations and adding freeform embroidery is just the ticket.
Many years ago I started making Christmas gifts
for my Mom and four sisters in crewel work,then
I tried redwork embroidery,but the love of my life was counted cross stitch.I made many wedding samplers,baby birth samplers,and things for the home.I loved collecting all the many colours of embroidery floss,from light to dark in each color. I think this whitework would be another challenge for me. Net in Texas
I’m a lover of all kinds of needlework but must admit have always been in awe of whitework. The beauty created using nothing more than needle thread and a piece of cloth and the imagination of the stitcher can bring me to tears. I thank you for the opportunity to win the wonderful book.
What’s your all-time favorite embroidery technique and why do you like it?
Well, I started with Counted Cross-Stitch and it remains my go-to embroidery of choice. Lately, however, I have been expanding my horizons by learning about crewel (super fun and easy), candlewicking (can’t wait to get my first book on it), and chicken scratch (oh what an addiction!). I am starting a 4-H Fiber and Needle Arts Project to teach members in DE about knitting, crochet, X-stitch, chicken scratch and huck weaving this year. Next year they will expand their horizons even further! I cannot wait to get the project started and start teaching young people how to be artistic in fiber based media! -Dr. McCrea in Dover, DE
My all-time favorite embroidery technique is thread painting because of the beautiful depiction of flowers.
I like the purity of white-on-white embroidery. I’m a surface embroidery nut. In general I enjoy playing with all kinds of threads, colors, textures, stitches and fabrics, but my favorite fabrics are the linens, and I really would like to win the book because I know I will learn a lot from it. I’m sure that with the book’s help my creativity will go wild.
I just love needlework. I started doing it as a child when my great-grandmother took needle and threads and set me down. I haven’t had time for it in a long time and want to get back into it. I love the way it helps me relax and I can do some kind of needlework anywhere. I especially love the comments people make about how hard it has to be, much of it is not hard, just something you do. I am interested in doing white embroidery. I haven’t tried this one yet but the skills seem similar to blackwork.
I am very much taken with Goldwork, on a silk background, and using silk threads to couch the threads, and do any other stitching. However, the thought of white silk on a white background also appeals…….
Oh, I really hope to win this book!! My favorite type of needlework (embroidery) is probably cross stitch or some type of counted, even weave work. I like the geometric preciseness of working from a chart. Not being gifted at drawing stick figures, it is much more to my liking to have a chart or pattern to work from.
Thanks,
Deborah from Alabama
While I have tried and enjoyed needlework of all types, I’m always drawn back to counted thread projects, especially counted cross stitch. I love making all those little x’s and watching the design form under my fingers. I’ve only done a bit of whitework but would love to become more proficient.
Hi, Mary,
Several months ago you mentioned the classes at the Royal School of Needlework — I took your suggestion and enrolled in a one-day blackwork class with Lizzie Landsberry while we were in London last month!!! She is one fabulous teacher, and while she mentioned the publication of this book, it was not available at the time. Thank you for giving me one of the most lovely days of the trip.
I am a needlework junkie — I love virtually any type of work done with a needle. I am, however, particularly enamored of whitework embroidery — it was one of the few types of embroidery my grandmother didn’t have a chance to teach me. I’ve always been sorry about that and have tried to learn the techniques ever since. I love the way the precision of the stitches really matter in whitework because there is no color to distract the eye.
Thanks for such an outstanding website! It’s a treat I look forward to every day.
I would say I’m an all around embroidery person, but the white work intrigues me and I’d love to learn more about it!
I’m a self-taught embroiderer with the help of your very valuable videos. I don’t comment often, but want to thank you so much for your website and newsletters. I have your link on my blog.
My favorite technique? That’s like asking which child is your favorite. If it involves a threaded needle, I’m interested.
Je suis une mordue de dentelle au fuseau, je pratique également diverses embroderies: stumpwork, broderie d’ombre, painting. La délicatesse de whitework embrodery me fascine et je souhaiterais gagner le livre afin d’explorer cette magnifique broderie.
Merci Mary
Micheline Québec
Hi, my name is Stephanie and I’m addicted to all surface stitching. My grandmother got me hooked as a young girl. We would embroider pillowcases for the family every year. In the 70′s I embroidered Holly Hobby on everything. I loved using different stitches to fill in the patchwork on her apron. I love cross stitch as well, but really go wild with embroidery designs, cause I can use whatever stitch strikes me at the time. Needle arts are regaining some lost ground, and I am teaching my daughter and grand daughter the joys of this creative craft to carry on. I love your tutorials and ideas!
So far I only know how to do redwork! A friend showed me how as I spend a lot of time in the V.A. Clinics with my husband as he is a disabled veteran. But I would love to learn more. Thank you
I absolutely love doing charted needlework especially geometric designs. I’m very detailed oriented and I am drawn to the clean lines and interesting stitches used in many charted designs.
White on white is stunning and so classical. What a wonderful give-away! I love Colonial Knots! They are so fun to do and add so much texture.
I have a very close tie between needle painting and stumpwork. Which ever of the two I am working on becomes my favourite for the duration of the piece. There is just something special about using the coloured thread to create a picture on fabric. Since I can’t paint worth a damn, this allows me to be creative. When I’m not the above, I opt for whitework, which comes in a very close third, so this book would be just perfect. yet another wonderful giveaway Mary, thank you.
I don’t think I could possibly name my favorite – I love canvas work, hardanger, embroidery, cross-stitch, blackwork, … I have always admired whitework and do have several of the RSN books (but not this one). I am itching to get my hands on it just based on your review.
BTW – your site saved me when I was away on vacation. I was working on a project that required roses made from Bullion stitches and the pattern instructions were abysmal. I was able to connect to your site and review your instructions and I completed my very first bullions quite brilliantly due to your very excellent instructions – Thank You!!!
Heather
While I love all surface embroidery, I particularly fell in love with white work when I took Lizzy’s class at the RSN. There are so many combinations to make an infinite number of designs. Plus, it’s simple: fabric and one color of thread!
I would have to put myself in the total “nut” category. Each type of embroidery offers a different “thrill” and appeal. I love the delicate “sweetness” of white-on-white heirloom embroidery. Crewel embroidery is bold and the stitches offer much variety and fun! The theraputic precision of counted work. The challenge and beauty of “painting” with silk threads. And goldwork — what could be more amazing! There is just No Way I could pick only one! Can’t wait to get my hands on this new RSN Whitework book!
I love everything to do with handwork. Color and texture from threads on any work surface make me happy and content. Thread, floss, ribbon and beads make their way into most things I create and most things I make are given away. That is double the contentment. I appreciate learning in new areas and thank you for your words and videos to this end. Books are treasures to savor and this one is no exception.
My all-time favorite embroidery is cross-stitch on linen. I recently completed Moulan Rouge in Red on 40 count linen… beautiful! turned out to be about 21 inches square. But… I love all kinds of stitches and have done white work which is why I’m interested in this book.
Thanks for the opportunity and for your blog. Always enjoy it!
Hi Mary, to quote your words with additions, general all-around surface and raised embroidery nut who works with silk, cotton, wool and whatever who has just bought Yvette Stanton’s Portugese Embroidery Book.
Thank you for this giveaway as I embark on a new needlework adventure plus very clean hands.
I have a dish towel created by my Grandma,it is done in applique.A beautiful spray of flowers with each petal and leaf done in layers.I have worked for more than forty years trying to duplicate the piece.Her stitches are so tiny it takes a magnifying glass to count them.There are as many as twenty five stitches per inch.This is my favorite type of needlework.Thank you for a chance at the book,something I have never attempted.Judy-In-Frenchtown.
I like to draw pictures with thread.
I’m not very good at saying I use one style, but I do like to meander with string. Your website has been especially helpful because you give me an idea of what I can do with new stitches! Currently, I am embroidering samples onto baby onesies. My friends love them!
I like doing anything with a needle. One of the things that appeals to me most is the tactile nature of embroidery. I want to TOUCH the finished embroidered piece, feel the smoothness of satin stitch, the nubbiness of french knots, the texture of herringbone. I love the springy wool used in crewel, the satiny feel of silk and the crispness of cotton. Then there are the colors! White on white is classic and cool. Muted or bright colors, I love it all.
While I love almost all kinds of embroidery and needlework, embroidery based on blackwork is my emotional favorite. I remember a visit to England many years ago as a college student, seeing blackwork for the first time in a pattern book. I bought the book and still have it. I think it’s the rhythm in blackwork that I like so much, if that makes sense.
It’s odd to extol blackwork in a quest for a whitework book, but I like whitework very much, too; it is probably more versatile than blackwork, and I love its subtlety. I am beginning to do more church embroidery—not the glamorous stuff like vestments, but the utilitarian stuff like purificators and corporals, which are white on white. I just finished a very simple set with a New Zealand theme for a friend being ordained over there, and while he was genuinely pleased with it, I was conscious of the deficiencies. I’d like to do a little better next time.
I have a hard time deciding! I think things that have to do with counted thread are more appealing to me because I don’t have much confidence in things like crewel where you have to decide where to put the thread. I want very much to do crewel… right now I think things like blackwork and hardanger are more appealing, and I have wanted to learn whitework for a long time!
Hi Mary,
Iam fascinated with Crewel Work at present. I’ve managed to get hold of some undyed two ply wool and now waiting for the right time to color a few bits and pieces and try this wonderful style of embroidery.
But that does not mean that I would squander away this chance to win this lovely book.I love whitework too,so please put my name in for the draw.
Regards,
Deepa
Dear Mary,
I only recently discovered your wonderful website in the last month or so, but I am thoroughly smitten with all the wonderful stitches you show and have videos.
Yes, at the moment, I am a counted thread stitcher but I have looked all you have shown and I think I’m ready to take the plunge. I have done some hardanger work, but not enough to say I am proficient in any way.
Thank you so much for all you do for needleworkers everywhere. You are an inspiration.
God bless, Nick in New Orleans
I have a passion for many textile arts and would not want to name one as my favorite as it changes all the time. I am learning to incorporate what I learn into my current projects which makes things much more interesting. I love whitework for its simplicity, relying on pattern and workmanship to catch the eye.
My all time favourite embroidery technique is long and short stitch. Im still relatively new at it. I think its probably the most deceiving stitch of the lot. ‘Long and Short stitch’ straight stitches only, one of them long, one of them short, how hard can it be???? Little did I know!!! I am going to perfect it though even if it takes me years!
xxxx
I love all kinds of embroidery. All for their own unique characteristics. I am a thread – silk, cotton, wool, metallic and ribbon- junky. Absolutey love linen as my ground fabric in all kinds and colors especially hand-dyed.
I confess that I’ve always wanted to explore the world of whitework. It reminds me of my grandmother and all of the beautiful embroidery she had in her home. I’d love to add this book to my ever increasing needlework library and can’t wait until I retire so I can devote more and more hours to my favorite passtime. Thanks Mary for another great give away.
Brenda, Wilmington, Ohio
I love the look of white work. It has such a crisp, clean look. I’m coming back to embroidery after about 45 years. My mother taught me to embroider, but it was just for table linens, and pillow cases and not too fancy. Now I’m finding all sorts of things that can be done, and so many techniques it is amazing.
Terri
I like almost all types of needlework. I don’t like blackwork at all, but really enjoy all the other forms of counted thread work. I love whitework because of the elegance of the finished product.
Thanks once again for a wonderful blog. Sandi in Eugene, Oregon
I’m a bit of a novice stitcher and I tend to develop a passion for whatever technique I’m trying! I go back to cross stitch often as it’s easy to do when I’m really tired, I also love surface embroidery, I ADORE blackwork and I enjoy crewel and I love hardanger. Love it. I love the way it looks so intricate and difficult, but actually isn’t!
Whitework is classy. It temps the eyes to really look at the stitches which invites curiosity. I’ve often said “I have to do this”.
First, I must learn. Here comes the books and this one looks like a winner. Would love to have it. Even, the pictures look delicious.
Mary,
I am so glad you wanted to brighten up Monday morning! I would love to win this book. My favorite technique is Hardanger embroidery. I love working with charts, the terror or cutting threads & the overall appearance of the finished piece. It is a challenge every time I work on a project. Thanks again for doing this. Sheila from CA
My favorite kinds of embroidery fall in the surface embroidery category. I love silk and metal the most, but stumpwork is really up there. I have struggled with soft shading and so I really love the challenge of improving my shading. Just lately I am developing an increasing interest in counted work. I loved the Mountmellick project I did.
Oh my, my, my. How can you pick just one kind of embroidery to be a favorite. I love anything that is embroidered.
But if I have to pick just one, I would have to say tone-on-tone. Whitework just happens to fall into that category.
I would love to win a copy of the book, but good luck to all who enter.
I love doing crazy quilting embroidery. I like the randomness of it. I like adding beads and other things and the sense of anything goes. YEA. All the different stitches and threads and a crazy story too.
My all-time favorite embroidery technique changes as I work on a new one! Right now I am favoring underside couching in gold. it is soooo shiney! The theory seems simple, but the execution in gold has been challenging. I have finished one piece where the gold is absolutely blinding when placed in the sun.
Yes, I’m definitely an all-rounder and nut is the operative word. I can’t wait to try a new design, love learning new stitches and techniques that I can combine in my work. When I stitch I’m in a world of my own, a peaceful place where the outside world can’t get in. Thank you for the lovely giveaway, the beauty of whitework intrigues me, as well as finding the history fascinating. Kind Regards Mandy Currie (mandycurrie@googlemail.com)
I must confess that counted thread work is my all time favorite, with hardanger being at the top of the list. Then I discovered needle turned applique, this is a very close second. I love the challenge of learning new things, and white work is on my list of want to learn.
Thank you for the opportunity, and I love your daily email.
I absolutely love, love love to do whitework. It’s a lot less fussy than trying to decide on colors and there are so many different types of whitework to do. I can never be bored with it.
I have the other books in the series and can honestly say they are fabulous. This would be a wonderful addition to my library.
This is a hard one. I Am besoted with embroidery for some unknown reason that intrigues me! I spend hours looking at historical pieces and am compelled to learn every stitch i see. Recently my love of certain textile prints from the early 1900′s led me to notice how they take from embroidery. So is embroidery really the source–the origin of much textile design? Those early folk embroiders had So much skill in design and technique.
Anyway i think i love surface embroidery that has some dimension to it best at the moment. And whitework does seem to make much use of dimension… since it’s white on white. Thanks Mary!
My interest in embroidery is vast. I love to do all the stitches. I love the challenge and the learning experience.
Have a super great sewing and stitching day!
I really hesitate to say what embroidery is my favorite as I enjoy quite a few styles. If forced to single one out, I’m going with embroidering crazy quilts because that embraces quite a lot of the styles – from crewel, to goldwork, to cross stitch to hardanger, and on and on. You get the idea? It’s pretty much well anything goes.
Thank-you so much for offering another book giveaway. Hugs, Diane in Churchville – and yes there are a lot of churches in my small town.
A year ago I would have said plain old double running stitch blackwork. But of late I’ve fallen under the spell of Renaissance era voided work, with drawn grounds. There appears to be a whole interconnected aesthetic family of counted, pulled, and darned styles, that leave the foreground unworked (or minorly adorned); but cover the background with monochromatic stitching. Some are long armed cross stitch, others are pulled to produce a mesh like effect. Still others use withdrawn threads to magnify the mesh, and others go all the way, withdrawing all but a whipped scaffolding, then darning in the foreground in a contrasting color. Please don’t ask me to pinpoint a fave any more closely than this family.
I love to do cut work the best and especially in white. It just looks so clean and no distractions and table cloths and runners and pillows look so nice when completed.
Sue Ames
I’ve been addicted to all forms of counted thread work: cross-stitch, drawn thread, pulled thread, hardanger, etc. Lately, I find myself attracted to embellished work with ribbons and beads. This past week-end, I read “Crewel Twist” by Hazel Blomkamp and now I am dying to try her Jacobean sampler in just Ivory/Creame color scheme. A new twist on Whitework. In the past, my whitework has been white DMC on pale pink or pale blue background. So this will be a new exploration!
Hi Mary,
My all-time favorite embroidery technique was shadow and those that you have to count the threads, however, after I tried needle painting, counting threads is history. White work is so elegant that it might be my next interest. Thanks for your site.
Salvador
I loved you “Turkey work” post, it was funny and it looks like a lot of fun!
My favorite technique is free style, by that I mean that I like to draw my work and then embroider over it. To me it brings an even more special sentiment when given as a gift. I am fairly new to embroidery so I LOVE receiving your posts on the “How To” stich videos. I incorporate those stitches into my work, so THANK YOU for making them!
I could really put this book to good use if I should win.
Thank you,
Tammy W.
I love whitework. I have admired it since I was a little girl and that is over 60 years ago. I am ashamed to admit I have never tried it. But I was thinking that with this book I could have the knowledge to know how.
My favorite technique is surface embroidery. I love to use wool or cotton and the satin stitch is what I enjoy most and do best. Thank you for your lovely blogs Mary. I look forwared to what you have to say every day. Janice Miller
I love tone-on-tone embroidery (white on white, black on black, etc.). I think it looks elegant and classic.
My mother taught me to embroider when I was a little girl. Years later when I was in my 20′s one of my co-workers was doing counted cross stitch and once I saw that I was hooked! I also do hardanger which I love also. I like learning new stitches. I have never done whitework but the book looks great and I would love to learn this technique also! Love you site!
My mother taught me to embroider when I was a little girl. Years later when I was in my 20′s one of my co-workers was doing counted cross stitch and once I saw that I was hooked! I also do hardanger which I love also. I like learning new stitches. I have never done whitework but the book looks great and I would love to learn this technique also! Love your site!
A needlework topic I don’t know much about. Would love to learn though.
I like padded embroidery stitches because it adds so much dimension to the piece. I also like crewel work because I like combining different threads and yarns.
I do not have a favorite stitch or process. My favorite thing is to find samplers to work, or projects that have a variety of stitches.
I like to stitch on quilts, wall hangings and more. I think it adds so much to the result.
I love all needlework but my favorite is any counted work ESP Hardanger. Always love to learn new things and white work sounds perfect. I have not done much in white work. Enjoy your articles!!
I want it – I need it – I am 10 years late in making up a whitework ring cushion for my nephew’s wedding! I promised them an heirloom lace cushion but did not like the bobbin design half way through. Moved to needlelace – cannot find an arum lily design she likes! So with its aid could perhaps create my own design and finally my concience will be quiet. I used to hate longnshort, but two embroidered fans later I just love it. It is soothing, almost a rhythm develops over large areas. I can listen to music, my feet can be up on a stool under the frame holder – bliss.
Mary, As for favorite technique, don’t really have one, but I usually lean towards counted. I am willing to try just about anything as my guild stitching friends will probably tell you. I do really like most of the whitework techniques I’ve tried and really love the RSN books. They have wonerful illustrations! THanks for the give-aways!
My favorite embroidery is the sampler. I like learning a new stitch and dislike having to always refer to a chart. With samplers the stitcher goes from one side to another doing a different stitch with each band. I like the pulled and drawn work on a sampler the best.
Book give away on White-Work. I try all different kinds of embroidery over the last 40 years it is very enjoyable and relaxing of all hand crafts that I do. I like to try new designs and techniques all the time. i also share with my daughters and grand daughter for them to learn as well. I volunteer at a local center and help young girls learn the crafts as well. I hope I have a chance of winning the book. Thank you for your consideration. Mary
Dear Mary,
I am a new subscriber to your web site. I have been reading and referencing your site for several years, but only recently subscribed. Now that I am retired and can spend more time on needlework, I just couldn’t risk missing any of the wonderful tips you have to offer! I absolutely adore cutwork!! I love the patterns that are formed by the stitching and the color of whatever is below it peaking through. I have been sewing and stitching for over 50 years and just love all kinds of white work – beautiful monograms, schwalm work, guest towels – all of the goodies! I made my own wedding gown in the 1970s which included crocheted inserts I made to put on a sheer yoke; crocheted ladders on the princess seams with satin ribbons laced in and out; and the crowning glory was the tatted edging I made for the collar, the yoke, and the cuffs of the sleeves. I am not sure I can surpass that piece of needlework, but I am sure trying in my old age! I hope the length of this entry is not too long. Believe me, it is totally out of character for me to even write anything for a web site … I am not a blogger and don’t even own a gadget that “texts”. (I would rather spend my limited money on needlework supplies!) I would be so pleased to win the book and put it to use. Thank you for this opportunity to try for that chance!
Laura
P.S. Although I am sure I am quite a bit older than you are, I am constantly amazed by the similarities in our tastes in needlework and all the related topics you cover. I feel like a soul mate! I continue to be captivated by the Marian Medallion Church Embroidery Project. The details are exquisite and you are such a master for being able to carry out all of those techniques so beautifully!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful talents!
Dear Mary
I love your book reviews! Would love to win this book.
Maggie
I lovevall types of embroidery. I especially love silk ribbon. I have not tried white work but love its clean look.
I love doing blackwork and would to give whitework a shot. This book would make a great addition to my collection. Thanks for the chance to win it book.
I think my passion is all around threads. Anything threadlike, wool like, or silk, anything I can do with my hands, is for me. I love the look of the white on white, it’s crisp, clean, and just gorgeous to me. I have no one particular method, I see something I like, or a crazy idea, and I just sink my hands into it whole heartedly. Unfortunately, right now, I can do nothing for several more weeks. I’ve had another surgery on the arm, and can only L@@K at projects piling up! Thanks for the chance!!
I don’t have a passion just yet, but I sure am amazed by gorgeous whitework!
I guess I would be in the “general all-around surface embroidery nut” category as I absolutely love all the colors and textures of not only one type of thread but of all types of embroidery. Sometimes I think Brazilian is my favorite, then I see Hardanger and go gaga over that, then there is stumpwork which gives a whole new meaning and type of dimension to my projects. Though I’ve not been brave enough to try gold-work it is on myI guess I would be in the “general all-around surface embroidery nut” category as I absolutely love all the colors and textures of not only one type of thread but of all types of embroidery. Sometimes I think Brazilian is my favorite, then I see Hardanger and go gaga over that, then there is stumpwork which gives a whole new meaning and type of dimension to my projects. Though I’ve not been brave enough to try gold-work it is on my to do list. White-work however is so lovely and lacy looking, adding a delicate somewhat vintage touch. Oh how I would LOVE to learn that.
Thank you for this opportunity to acquire this lovely book. to do list. White-work however is so lovely and lacy looking, adding a delicate somewhat vintage touch. Oh how I would LOVE to learn that.
Thank you for this opportunity to acquire this lovely book.
Sorry about the repeat on the last section of my comment. We lost connection just as I submitted and it seemed to have copied a portion of it.
I discovered African embroidery last year and am totally hooked. I love using the bright colors and against the black, it just pops. I would love to do white on white next, so would love to have this book.
Tammy from Strongstown.
I had to add that I almost died laughing when I saw you put Pat from Punxsutawney, I am from there originally!!
I think that I am drawn to all types of whitework the most. As an architect, I am drawn to the symmetry and balance of whitework and the monochromatic color scheme. Whitework has always reminded me of elegant tracery windows in a limestone cathedral, where the supports are hidden and seem to defy logic.
Even though it is not as fancy as some of the other types of whitework, recently I have been quite passionate about drawn-thread work. I am trying to employ it in combination with other embroidery techniques. For some crazy reason, I decided to unframe all of my finished samplers and complete a turned down edge with a drawn-thread border. It looks great, but it has been quite the undertaking.
Thank you for the opportunity to win this great book.
I love the look of crewel but I think I like counted cross stitch the best to work.
I just love the simple hardanger and hemstitching to create a lace-like effect so easlily. This is in addition to canvas work of any kind as is shown by the many, many stitcher bars with half finished pieces on them. It’s so much fun,,, until the next project comes along!!! Thanks so much for your emails, you have a gift for sharing…
I am a beginner so the only thread I’ve used is dmc floss, but I enjoy learning new stitches, and playing we some stitches that just seem ordinary, e.g. the running stitch.
Love all your posts they are so helpful!
I’ve probably done more crewel work than anything else but I’m moving into more surface embroidery and crazy quilt embellishment. This book looks beautiful. White work just seems so pure and pristine. Really lovely!
Thank you for this giveaway and for your wonderful blog. I’ve learned so much useful information since discovering your blog.
At the moment my favorite technique is whitework, especialy traditional Lithuanian one, called “adinukė”. After I’ll learn it, maybe my favorites will change. I like trying and learning new stitching techniques very much and my prefers are the techniques I am learning at the moment. So this book now would be very useful for me.
Agnė
Vilnius, Lithuania
Although I love all kinds of embroidery, my current favorite is Brazilian Embroidery for a couple of reasons. First, I love the sheen of the rayon threads used and the beautiful stitches that are used. I am just learning Brazilian Embroidery, so that is probably why it has become my favorite!!!
Last May I took a goldwork class taught by Sophie Long of the Royal School of Needlework. I am so in love with working with the metal (gold) work that I found a design and have ordered all the bits to do a silver metal-work project. I mostly love the goldwork because it is something new to me and I was taught by a professional and I didn’t have to struggle to learn on my own. Anyway, there is a Royal School of Needlework whitework class coming up in September in my area and I would love to have this book to get a jump on my whitework knowledge. These books are fabulous – I have the other four. Thanks Mary for your wonderful give-aways and for your spectactular website. (Not just buttering you up to win! Haha) Liz B. of Redwood City.
Hi Mary
I´m an all-rounder embroidery fanatic – but crazy quilting still beats everything for me: the oportunity to mix everything up has a special attraction for me. However, I´m always on the look-out for speciality books like this one on whitework – I must soak up all the info + techniques – so thank you for another opportunity to win a gem!
I took a beginner’s class in whitework in Italy years ago and fell in love with it. I like the various hemstitches as they as so useful. I also like the four sided stitch and cutwork as I like the open effect of these stitches. I would love to have this RSN book to build on my limited knowledge.
Beautiful book. I have explored many types of embroidery, and I have to say whitework is my favorite. It is beautiful in it’s simplicity (that is not to say that the needlework is simple!) I tried to order it but it is not available as they have sold out of the book. I will check back in a few weeks to see if it is back in stock. In the meantime, I am so happy you reviewed it and gave us a glimps into the content. Thank you!
I’ve only done crewel and cross stitch and would like to learn more methods. Whitework looks beautiful and would love to learn it. Thank you for your newsletter, I look forward to reading it everyday.
Wow! this is awesome. The RSN books are wonderful.
I’m fickle with needlework–I tend to like best the technique I’m doing at the moment. I love crewelwork; I like stitching with wool. But when I’m doing goldwork, I like that best. The metal “threads” are so different from anything else. I love whitework; the lack of color puts the focus on the design and techniques and textures. Then again, I just picked up a needlepoint piece I tried to design some years ago–I finally got it going, so right now I like that best.
I love whitework and do it often. The book you are displaying ( and offering!) looks so helpful. I love the graphics and also how the book is bound.
I hope that I am a winner!!!
hand drawn surface embroidery designs are my favorite to do!
thank you for this inspiring website! i would love to try whitework and combine that with french hand sewing!