Books and Links
Book Reviews
= Must Have
= Good, Worth Getting
= Ok, especially if interested in the subject
= Minor potential – better ones out there
= Barely worth the cost
= Don’t Bother
 17th C. Women’s Dress PatternsRead Full Review |
 18th Century Embroidery Techniques Read Full Review |
 19th Century Embroidery TechniquesRead Full Review |
 A-Z Embroidery Stitches 2Read Full Review |
 A-Z of Goldwork with Silk EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 A-Z of StumpworkRead Full Review |
 A-Z of WhiteworkRead Full Review |
 Abécédaires de Tradition Read Full Review |
 All that GlittersRead Full Review |
 Anchor Manual of NeedleworkRead Full Review |
 The Art of EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 The Art of Teaching CraftRead Full Review |
 Autopsy of Montenegrin StitchRead Full Review |
 Basic Principles of Schwalm WhiteworkRead Full Review |
 Basics of Embroidery on PaperRead Full Review |
 Beginner’s Guide to Crewel EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 The Beginner’s Guide to GoldworkRead Full Review |
 Beginner’s Guide to Silk ShadingRead Full Review |
 Broderie et Dentelle sur Carton PerforéRead Full Review |
 Broderies Colbert (Colbert Embroidery)Read Full Review |
 Bunnies in My GardenRead Full Review |
 Colour Confidence in EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Crazy QuiltingRead Full Review |
 Crewel and Surface Embroidery: Inspirational Floral DesignsRead Full Review |
 Crewel Embroidery: A Practical GuideRead Full Review |
 Crewel Embroidery in EnglandRead Full Review |
 Crewel TwistsRead Full Review |
 Dictionary of Embroidery StitchesRead Full Review |
 Early American Crewel DesignsRead Full Review |
 Early Kolacsa EmbroideriesRead Full Review |
 Early Schwalm WhiteworkRead Full Review |
 Elizabethan StitchesRead Full Review |
 Embroidered Flora & Fauna: 3D Textured EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Embroidered Flowers for ElizabethRead Full Review |
 The Embroiderer’s HandbookRead Full Review |
 Embroidery on PaperRead Full Review |
 Embroidery on Paper for Every OccasionRead Full Review |
 Embroidery Stitch BibleRead Full Review |
 Embroidery Techniques and PatternsRead Full Review |
 English Crewel Designs: 16th – 18th CenturiesRead Full Review |
 Fancy HemsRead Full Review |
 Fashioning FashionRead Full Review |
 Floral Interpretations for Silk Ribbon EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Filet Lace – Introduction to the Linen StitchRead Full Review |
 Goldwork Embroidery: Designs & ProjectsRead Full Review |
 Home Sweet HomeRead Full Review |
 Iron-On TransfersRead Full Review |
 Magazines: Italian Cut Work and Filet LaceRead Full Review |
 Lefkara Lace EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Left-Handed Embroiderer’s CompanionRead Full Review |
 Letters and Monograms from the House of MalbrancheRead Full Review |
 Long and Short Stitch Embroidery, A Collection of FlowersRead Full Review |
 Mains et MerveillesRead Full Review |
 Making Hand-Sewn BoxesRead Full Review |
 Metal Thread EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 The Midas TouchRead Full Review |
 More William Morris AppliquésRead Full Review |
 Needlepainting: Fresh Ideas for BeginnersRead Full Review |
 The New CrewelRead Full Review |
 Painting with a NeedleRead Full Review |
 Portuguese WhiteworkRead Full Review |
 Redoute’s Finest Flowers in EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Ribbon Embroidery and StumpworkRead Full Review |
 Ricamo EstenseRead Full Review |
 Right Handed Embroiderer’s CompanionRead Full Review |
 RosesRead Full Review |
 Royal School of Needlework Embroidery TechniquesRead Full Review |
 RSN Blackwork Stitch GuideRead Full Review |
 RSN Crewelwork Stitch GuideRead Full Review |
 RSN Goldwork Stitch GuideRead Full Review |
 RSN Handbook of EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 RSN Silk Shading Stitch GuideRead Full Review |
 RSN Stumpwork Stitch GuideRead Full Review |
 RSN Whitework Stitch GuideRead Full Review |
 Schwalm Whitework EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Stitch SamplerRead Full Review |
 Stumpwork EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Stumpwork: Medieval FloraRead Full Review |
 Stumpwork TilesRead Full Review |
 Temari TechniquesRead Full Review |
 Threads of LightRead Full Review |
 Twixt Art and Nature: English EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Wessex StitcheryRead Full Review |
 White WorkRead Full Review |
 The Wool Embroidery CollectionRead Full Review |
 Why Not Embroider BoxesRead Full Review |
Free Books Online
- Blackwork Filling Collections
from String-Or-Nothing
Description: A collection of free downloadable (PDF) blackwork filling patterns. There are nearly 220 filling patterns here, in a collection of 4 PDFs. - The Encyclopedia of Needlework
by Therese Dillmont
Made available by Project Gutenberg
Description: A comprehensive book on needlework, covering a whole range of techniques. 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. - 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 a comprehensive needlework book. It contains instructions and pictures of different techniques, as well as patterns and some very nice monogram alphabets. Available in three files: Part I, Part II, Part III. - Art in Needlework (PDF – 24MB)
by Lewis F. Day
Available on American Libraries Internet Archive
Description: A comprehensive needlework resource, this one is made up of a good bit of text, but has some nice illustrations in it and some very good tips for the embroiderer. - The Art of Modern Lacemaking
Published by Butterick in 1891
Made available by Project Gutenberg
Description: 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. - 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: Will interest anyone who likes counted thread techniques and historical embroidery. 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. 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!
Embroidery Supplies
- Hedgehog Handworks – this is a great site for harder-to-find supplies, especially goldwork supplies, good linen, Soie d’Alger floss, floche, Renaissance Dying wool, and other fine embroidery supplies. They also have a terrific books section. Service is excellent.
- Lacis – this is probably the most thorough supply house for any kind of needlework. Lacis is located in California. They have a great online catalog. Their shipping rates are reasonable, but expect to wait a bit if you order with standard shipping, especially if you live in the Midwest or on the East Coast.
- Needle In A Haystack – Located in Alameda, California, this store has a great online catalog with a wonderful selection of everything, especially threads. Excellent service, but on some items, a little more expensive than elsewhere.
- Berlin Embroidery Designs – Here you’ll find embroidery designs, kits, instructions, and supplies for all kinds of techniques, all put together by Tanja Berlin. She’s in Canada, so whatever we in the US might save on the exchange rate, we pay in shipping. But it’s worth it!
- Country Bumpkin – The editors of the A-Z series books and Inspirations Magazine. They have gorgeous stuff! Enjoy browsing their site. If you’re looking for back issues of Inspirations, you can find them here – but beware, overseas shipping can be expensive!
- Nordic Needle – a thorough source, especially for Hardanger and Counted Cross Stitch. They also carry heaps of accessories. Service is always excellent.
- Alison Cole Embroidery – Alison Cole is another Australian embroiderer. She specializes in goldwork and stumpwork. Her site includes full kits that you can order (for US customers, remember to convert currency, and don’t forget postage rates!).
- Wooly Thread – If you’re looking for Appleton wool for crewel work, or wool fabrics for blankets, this is the place to look. They also carry great wool felt, and most of the A-Z series books as well as Inspirations Magazine. Excellent service.
- Japanese Embroidery Center – This is a great resource for flat silk and for goldwork supplies (imitation and real Jap for couching and embroidery). The JEC is a non-profit educational organization. Their shipping is reasonable and pretty quick, and the service is excellent.
- Su Embroidery Studios – Not strictly a supply source, this is a resource for good quality Chinese embroidered art. You’ll also find plenty of information on their website about Suzhou embroidery. If you’re looking for embroidery reproductions or custom embroidery reproductions, this is a good place to go!
Recent Comments
Hi, Julia – most surface embroidery is done on fabric as opposed to mesh. Needlepoint is...
Mary Corbet - 2 hours 7 minutes
la magia del bordado…que delicadesa …no puedo comprar el libro pero nunca habia pensado en...
lidas - 2 hours 7 minutes
Hi, Lucia – Di van Niekerk’s website is where I go for all silk ribbon info. She sells...
Mary Corbet - 2 hours 11 minutes
hi and thank you so much for your generously shared website ! i’m wanting to start doing silk...
lucia hsu - 2 hours 53 minutes
How would you trace the pattern onto a mesh canvas? I love doing embroidery and this is my first attempt at...
Julia - 3 hours 18 minutes