A couple weeks ago, I mentioned that Embroidered Flowers for Elizabeth by Susan O'Connor, published by Country Bumpkin, was released, and today, I want to show you the book up close. It's a beautiful book featuring a beautiful project - but it's more than that!

The main project featured in the book Embroidered Flowers for Elizabeth is a gorgeous wool blanket divided in diamond-shaped panes, and displaying a selection of hand embroidered flowers that reflect the style of the Elizabethan era (the Renaissance in England). Susan O'Connor, whose embroidery designs always capture my eye, has really written a winner of a needlework book with this one! It is fantastic - the book is beautiful in every sense of the word, and the designs within are versatile.



While it is certainly a project book - a how-to book - it is so pretty that it deserves a nice spot in your home for display. It would look great on the coffee table! The quality of the book is Country Bumpkin quality - they do produce the most gorgeous needlework books!



The blanket itself is striking: diamond shaped panes reminiscent of Tudor windows, the black panes outlined with gold stitching on a cream ground speckled with the colorful flowers. It's a very sophisticated design.

The book begins with a short history of the Elizabethan era. There's not a whole lot "new" in this section - it's your typical text-book history that doesn't delve into primary sources. The section following the "history" moves into the textiles of the era, and this much more interesting. Here, you'll discover the significance of the flowers featured in the book.



After this brief introduction, instructions are given on setting up the blanket project, placing and embroidering the panes on the blanket.

But what if you're not really into making and embroidering blankets? Oh! Never fear! This book is a perfect multi-project book for anyone who loves embroidered floral designs, all of which are suitable for a variety of needlework techniques.



The book is broken down by floral motif. Each section on each floral arrangement begins with a clear color photo of the finished floral design.



The floral design is followed by a materials list and stitching instructions. Paternayan wool is used for the embroidery on the blanketl. But for those not interested so much in wool embroidery, never fear - there's a handy thread conversion chart in the back of the book.



Besides the general stitching instructions for the whole motif, there are step-by-step photos for the different stitches used in each motif. If you appreciate other Country Bumpkin publications (for example, the A-Z Series of Needlework books), you will certainly like these step-by-step photos.



Oooooooh. My Absolute Favorite in the Whole Book is this Pea & English Daisy design. I just love it! I love the greens, I love the peas, I love the daisies, I just love this motif! It's beautiful, isn't it?



After the larger floral motifs comes a section on smaller designs. These are like a little sampling taken from the larger floral designs - they're little, sweet, perfect designs that could be stitched individually (relatively quickly) for a variety of applications, such as needlebook covers, pin keeps (as shown in the book), or whatever your imagination can devise!



Following the embroidery instructions are the instructions for constructing the blanket. One reader mentioned that these instructions are a bit confusing. After reading through them, I think that someone who has constructed blankets or quilts before would find the assembly instructions clear enough. They aren't necessarily written for an absolute beginner, but I do think they are manageable.



The thread conversion chart towards the end of the book gives color numbers for DMC stranded cotton and Au Ver a Soie silk (Soie d'Alger). The author specifies the difference in stitching, should you choose a different thread to work with.



Some suggestions are given for individual projects with the small motifs. Very pretty! I love the addition of the gold spangles around the flowers.



And finally, the last section of the book is filled with all the line drawings, as well as drawings that indicate stitch direction.

All in all, the book is everything I was hoping it would be! The designs are so pretty, and oh, the possibilities! Silk shading, stumpwork, goldwork, whitework - the designs are versatile and easily adaptable to other techniques.

You can find Embroidered Flowers for Elizabeth at several places online:

Country Bumpkin Publications - located in Australia; the book costs AU$34.95. For those ordering outside Australia, be prepared to pay shipping costs and, where applicable, customs duty.

The Book Depository (Thanks, Irene!) - this is located in the UK, but shipping worldwide is free. I ordered a copy from here ($21.81) and had it within a week.

Amazon UK - Though not available on Amazon in the States yet, the book can be found on Amazon UK for £13.27 (US$20.22 right now).

And, finally, this weekend, I'll be giving away a free copy of Embroidered Flowers for Elizabeth, so keep an eye out for the give-away!

Labels: book review, crewel work, historical needlework, needlepainting, pictures

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, February 26, 2010
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Did I mention that Embroidered Flowers for Elizabeth by Susan O'Connor is out? And that I want it?

I'm not a book-comings-out watcher, normally. There are very few embroidery books on the market whose arrival I anticipated before the fact - a couple Jane Nicholas books, perhaps, (Medieval Flora being one), but that's about it. Oh, yes. I'm glad to hear certain books are coming out, but I don't write them down on my calendar and wait and watch. And wait. And watch.

Susan O'Connor's Embroidered Flowers for Elizabeth is one of the exceptions, and I'm happy to say that......

IT'S OOOOUTTTT!!!!!!



The book is published by Country Bumpkin - the folks behind Inspirations Magazine (the newest issue #65 is wonderful!) - and right now, the only way to get your paws on it is to order it from Australia. I'm sure it will eventually be released worldwide, but for now, it's hovering Down Under.

Lo! A strange feeling creeps over me! It is one of determination. I must order the book, and I must order it from the Antipodes. (Actually, it's not "determination." Wrong word. It is sheer covetousness, and you'd think I'd drum up some virtue and get over it, but....)

It's true - I haven't ordered mine yet, and the book has been out for a couple weeks. You see, there are two drawbacks to the CB website: 1. They don't take Paypal for international customers, and some debit cards don't work for overseas orders, so unless you're a credit-card person, you have to devise another way to order; 2. The shipping is - whoa - high, but they can't help that. And I suppose every time I order from CB, I don't have to go browsing through their website finding all kinds of other things I want to order, which only increases the cost of shipping, not to mention the cost of the order.

Ok, enough about the mundane details behind this maniacal need for hobby-related goods.



The fact is, without having even seen it, I know this book is completely up my alley. It is ... it is Me. I realize it wasn't written with Me in mind, but it is really my kind of book, my kind of stitching, my kind of inspiration, the type of embroidery I really love to do and love to look at and love to plan to do and .... just.... love.



And hence, I have waited. I have anticipated its arrival. I have planned. I have saved. And I will purchase!

If you haven't seen the preview for this book yet, do visit the Country Bumpkin website and flip through the Flash preview of Embroidered Flowers for Elizabeth. Try not to become twitterpated, or you'll be in the same boat I am.

I'll review the book more thoroughly once it's in hand! In the meantime, if you've had the opportunity to see it or buy it, what's your take? Will we like it??

Labels: book review, embroidery resources, Inspirations Magazine, long and short stitch

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, February 09, 2010
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Why not embroider boxes? This is a good question! And it also happens to be the title of a book on embroidered boxes. When I started contemplating making an embroidered box, I knew I'd have to do some research first, and then I'd have to figure out techniques. Little did I know that two books existed that are particular suitable to the topic. The first I've already reviewed - Making Hand-Sewn Boxes, by Jackie Woolsey. This second book is called Why not Embroider Boxes? by Daphne Ashby and Jackie Woolsey.

Why not Embroider Boxes? was somewhat hard to find here in the States, but it is available through used book sources online, so I tracked a copy down. The book is the collaborative effort of embroiderer Daphne Ashby and box-maker Jackie Woolsey. I heard from Jackie after reviewing her book Making Hand-Sewn Boxes, and she told me about this book which she thought would be more tailored towards fulfilling my quest for embroidered-box instructions. She was right! It's a great a little book, and perfect for the ideas that are gurgling about in my head.



The book is small - 6" x 8" - but packed with good content, including instruction not just in box assembly but also in embellishment.



And hey, look! It's spiral bound! I love instructional books that are spiral bound. The book begins with instruction on basic box making. If you happen to have Making Hand-Sewn Boxes, this section is a bit repetitive, but it's still essential for the book, and it's always good to re-read initial instructions before launching into projects, anyway!

Keep in mind, though, that the projects and the types of boxes within this book are not the same as those featured in Making Hand-Sewn Boxes. Each box in Why not Embroider Boxes? is different from those already covered in the previous book.



For each project in the book, we're given instructions on making the particular type of box, and then instructions on making embroidered embellishment for the box.



The embroidery design is given in the book, as well as instruction on the completion of the embroidery. Some of the embroidery is perfectly suited to beginners, while some of it is directed more for those seeking a challenging project. This stumpwork lily pad and dragonfly design is gorgeous and would be terrific for anyone who is keen on stumpwork.



Notice the coordination between the fabric on the box and the design on the embroidery. Most of the box projects in the book are created this way - the fabric is chosen first, and then coordinating embroidery motifs are designed for the embellishment of the box.



I love the variety of the boxes in the book. Details are given on how to make stays (that keep the hinged lids from flopping all the way open), dividers and hinges, all necessary components of this more complex box, which would be ideal for stationary and writing supplies.



Note the coordination between the two flower motifs and the fabric on the box carcass.



For many projects, the embellishment is something added separate from the actual covering of the box. In this case above, two little medallions are embroidered to match the fabric covering the lid and the rest of the box; then the medallions are sewn onto the lid fabric. While I'm more inclined to want the whole cover embroidered (or the whole box, for that matter!), I do like this treatment a lot. I love the way the little medallions pick up the fabric.



Honey, anyone? The bee box features honeycombed panels on the sides (canvas work) and stumpwork bees populating the surface of the box. I like the hexagon shape of the whole piece.



And I just had to let you know that there's a rooster in the book.

There is.

I can't get away from them!

If you're considering making an embroidered box, this is probably a book that you'll want to have on hand! Look it up through used book sources to see if you can grab a copy! You'll be glad you did!

Labels: book review, embroidered boxes

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, February 07, 2010
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Speaking to a friend and fellow stitcher a couple weeks ago, the subject of crewel embroidery books came up. I'm always befuddled when the titles of embroidery books and the names of needlework authors pop into the conversation. Truth is, they always sound familiar. But I suppose that's because there are only so many titles for books about embroidery, and when you get specific (for example, a book about crewel embroidery), there's a good chance the same words are going to be used in the title somehow. So, whether you're looking for Crewel Embroidery in England or The A-Z of Crewel Embroidery, or even The New Crewel - it's a safe bet that the word "crewel" is going to occupy part of the title!

So, given the proclivity for needlework book titles to all sound similar, and given my completely disorganized needlework library, it's sometimes difficult to know for sure if I have indeed seen a specific book, or worse, if I own it. When the book Crewel Embroidery in England by Joan Edwards sauntered into the conversation, I couldn't say for sure whether I was familiar with the book, whether I had actually seen the book, or whether I owned it.

As it turns out, it sounded familiar. A quick Google search revealed a photo of the cover, and my memory kicked in. Familiar? yes! I'd definitely seen it! Who could forget that big monster lion growling on the front of it? But did I own it? Hmmm.... that took a little more work. Foraging through shelves packed two deep and two high with needlework books, I discovered that I did own this gem of a book. But I hadn't yet discovered it was a gem.



Crewel Embroidery in England by Joan Edwards was published in 1975, so if you want to read it, your best bet is to look online through used book sources or to go check your library to see if they have it available.



My copy is, sadly, a library reject. While I love getting books for a great price (I paid $1.50 for this one), it's kind of sad to know that the book isn't available in that particular library for anyone who might want to use it. The fact that it was at a library book sale demonstrates that it had lost popularity with patrons. *Sigh* If they only knew what they were missing!



The author begins with the history of crewel embroidery in England, starting with the famous Bayeux Tapestry. Crewel embroidery, you see, was around a lot earlier than that style of embroidery which we call "Jacobean," which came into fashion under James I of England, in the 17th century. "Jacobean" comes from the Latin name Jacobus, which is James in English. Jacobean refers to a style of embroidery design, and crewel embroidery is not synonymous with Jacobean embroidery, though Jacobean designs were often worked in wool. Crewel embroidery is simply embroidery worked with wool, or predominantly with wool. The Bayeux Tapestry, worked in the 11th century, was embroidered in wool, so it fits comfortably into the category or wool embroidery.



Spattered throughout the section on the early history of crewel embroidery, the author includes black and white drawings of sections of the Bayeux Tapestry. For historical embroidery buffs, these drawings would easily transfer into terrific designs.



Moving into the Jacobean look, the author presents pictorial samples of different historical embroideries, and accompanies these with line drawings of the different elements within the samples. Next to the line drawings, she includes a magnified section that shows the stitches used is the particular element.



These line drawings of the different motifs found in the historical samples of crewel work abound throughout the book, and some of them are quite humorous. Imagine the embroiderer sitting at the frame, concocting different creatures to depict in wool - a great opportunity for creativity and a little fun. These little creatures remind me of the odd little elements that the illuminator included in the manuscript, or the sculptor incorporated into the creatures adorning cathedrals. A bit funny, a bit macabre, a bit bizarre - but always creative.



They layout of the historical samples juxtaposed with the line drawings are a terrific catalyst for embroidery inspiration. There's the line drawing - there's the original color scheme. Now, what can YOU do with the design?



Some of the designs are easily imagined in other types of embroidery. For example, with this particular design, a goldwork motif comes to mind. Wouldn't it be grand?



In the back of the book, the author gets down to the nitty-gritty of instruction, demonstrating, for example, how to enlarge or reduce a design by hand, using a grid. This is a good technique for drawing out a design in a suitable size, even though nowadays, computer graphics programs such as Photoshop, or simply a photocopy machine, can take care of this with a bit less time and effort. Still, to work it out with one's own hands does give a clearer sense of the elements in the pattern, and the slowness of the process gives the embroiderer time to really concentrate on stitch, color, and thread choices. Think of it as the difference between hand-writing a letter, which gives you time to really think about what you're saying and how it will come across to the reader, as opposed to whipping off an e-mail faster than you can really consider the impact of what you're saying! It never hurts to try your hand at drawing out your own design, using the grid method.



The quality of the book revolves around the historical information - which is written in a style that is interesting and easy to read and digest - and the design and technique discussions within the text of the book. For actual stitching instructions, the book falls a bit short. There are a couple pages that show the types of stitches commonly used in crewel work (as pictured above), but they don't go much into real instruction on stitching.



Still, the book is a wonderful source of inspiration for those interested in crewel embroidery. Though published in the 1970's, when crewel work enjoyed a notable revival, the book itself is timeless - an excellent study of the history of a technique and the designs and stitches associated with that technique throughout history.

If you're a fan of crewel embroidery or interested in general about the history of embroidery (especially in England), you will certainly find this book worthwhile to add to your collection! Look it up at your favorite used book sources - it can be had right now for a song!

Labels: book review, crewel work, pictures

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, February 05, 2010
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Last week, I mentioned the wonder of making an embroidered box and provided a link to a project featured on the V&A website. This week, I'm revisiting the subject because the whole notion of making an embroidered box has caught my fancy, and I believe it's more than a passing interest. This bodes well - I believe I will actually make one, and if I do, I'll certainly step-by-step the process here on Needle 'n Thread. My interest in making an embroidered box is more fixed, thanks to you readers out there who expressed enthusiasm for the topic, and especially for those of you who recommended some books. I was able to lay my paws on two books that were recommended in the comments section of the previous post, and today, I want to show you one of them - Making Hand-Sewn Boxes, by Jackie Woolsey.

Making Hand-Sewn Boxes is a terrific how-to book! And even though the author is not specifically illustrating how to make an embroidered box, the techniques are exactly what an embroidered-box-maker would use to make a box. I love this book!



The copy of the book that I was able to pick up is an ex-library copy. It's in good shape. The book is apparently not in print anymore, but you can find it online through various booksellers.



The book features all different types of boxes, from the simple rectangular box to more complex boxes with drawers and trays. For each type of box in the book, the author takes us step-by-step through creating the box, from the materials list, through the assembly of the box, using clear diagrams and color photos.



Boxes of different shapes - from square, to round, to octagonal and hexagonal - are all covered. (No pun intended, honestly.)



The whole notion of constructing the actual box is what intimidated me whenever I contemplated an embroidered box. But this book practically eliminates any worries along those lines - the text instructions, the diagrams, and the photos all work together to clarify the process of finishing.



One of my favorite sections to read was the chapter on making a Victorian étui. While this isn't exactly the type of box I have plans to make at first, I love seeing how it is made. Tanja Berlin's blackwork étui was the first box I saw like this, and it fascinated me. And now I've got this wonderful book that shows me exactly how to make my own!

At the end of the book, the author provides a photo gallery of all kinds of hand-sewn boxes. Once the techniques of creating different types of boxes that include different features - from trays to drawers to doors - are understood, all kinds of box possibilities spring to mind! And they all seem accessible, because the author covers pretty much every possibility of box construction in this book.

I reiterate - this is a great how-to book! If you're interested in constructing an embroidered box and you can get your hands on this book, it's a worthwhile investment. If you just want to take a look at it, check your local library! If they don't have it, they should be able to get it for you.

There are a few new and used copies available on Amazon:



Later on, after I recover completely from the Wog and get caught up, I'll show you what I do to books that I want to use as references while working on something from them. That's probably the only drawback of this particular book - it doesn't lie open easily. When I'm working from this type of book, I like to have it open in front of me while I work. In order to achieve that, I demolish the book. Well, not really! I'll show you what I do, once I have the chance to do it!

In the meantime, start dreaming up a box!

Labels: book review, embroidered boxes, finish work

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, January 25, 2010
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Chats on Old Lace and Needlework by Emily Leigh Lowes was first published in 1908. The book is just as its title describes - chats on old lace and needlework. It is a book arranged in chapters, discussing various types of lace and needlework.

Because the book is old, it's not filled with gorgeous colored photos of museum pieces. Still, its value is in the written content and even - yes - the black and white photos.



I tend to get used to colored photos, and find myself often passing completely on exploring a book when the photos are black and white. I have to remind myself that, like black and white movies, black and white photos can be just as artistic and just as well done as colored photos. They can tell a story, too, after all. I suppose this isn't always the case with the black and white photos in old books (because some can be rather poor quality!), but I think it's silly to disregard a book simply because the photos aren't in color.

(At the same time, admittedly, I prefer colored photos, especially of needlework!)



I like this Jacobean piece featured in the book. When you start looking at it closely, you start to notice things - like the squiggly lines on the left, about a third of the way up behind some of the leaves and flowers there. They aren't anywhere else. Or the pot of flowers in the lower right hand corner, resting on one of the hills - a somewhat strange place to rest a pot of flowers.

The book addresses the history of lace (mostly in England, or having to do with England somehow) and the history of English embroidery in small, manageable chunks of texts (hence, the "Chats" part of the title). It's interesting to read, but not long enough to be a dry historical discourse.

If you'd like to take a look at the book, you'll find Chats on Old Lace and Needlework on Project Gutenberg.

Enjoy!

Labels: book review, embroidery resources, online needlework books

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, January 22, 2010
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Were you one of the lucky ones that made it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art before the end of April, 2009, to see the exhibit "Twixt Art and Nature"? I am still kicking myself that I didn't make more of an effort to go, though in reality, I couldn't have. The exhibit was well-covered in the news, more so than any other needlework exhibit I've ever heard about, anyway. And sprouting from the exhibit came a book....

English Embroidery from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1580 - 1700: 'Twixt Art and Nature is the name of the book. Despite the heavy title and the hefty size of the book, keep in mind that the era studied by the book is just slightly over 100 years of needlework! But what a fascinating era!



The book has been reviewed online on a number of needlework blogs and websites, so I'm not out to do a review here. I haven't actually finished reading it yet, and I always like to read the books I review from cover-to-cover. (It's a whole lot easier with stitch dictionaries and picture technique books - there isn't as much reading involved!) From what I've read so far, the book is fascinating - those interested in historical embroidery who like to read in-depth scholarly work will enjoy it. Those who are more interested in technique specifics and instruction might not enjoy it as well. Anyone interested in pictures of historical embroidery from this era will love it, but will want even more photos. The photos are beautiful.

I was reading the book the other day, and came upon part of a passage that brought to mind a good friend of mine, and made me think (with overwhelming enthusiasm!) that he would really enjoy this book. The passage was an insightful comment on history and art and I wish I had written it down. Anyway - a great wave of generosity swept over me, and I thought, "I am going to buy this book for him. He will like it."

Last year, I sent copies of this book out to a couple friends as gifts (hey, gals - I hope you Really Like It!). For me, I bought mine used last year, for about $35. And heck, it's been six months, right? Used ones will probably be less expensive now, right? But I was willing to spend $35. Really. I'm just that nice.

But I'm only that nice.

I checked this page on Amazon first, and after the initial heart attack, I moved on to ABE Books. (Though you can find a slightly "less expensive" copy on this page at Amazon - around $140).

Is it only me, or are the prices asked for these books just slightly a bit much? I mean, the book is good. But... but.... but...???!!!

Needless to say, those momentary warm fuzzy feelings of generosity sapped right out of me!

If you're looking for the book at a more reasonable price, Hedgehog Handworks does carry it, and right now, it's $55.25 (on sale through January). I don't know how many they have in stock, but at least you know they are available through booksellers besides used book sources for ridiculous prices! You can also find it at The Mad Samplar for $65 right now.

If you aren't quite ready to invest that type of money in a book, you can get a glimpse of some of the pieces in the exhibit in this nice little promotional video from last year:



Though I didn't make it to the exhibit, I'm happy I have my book.

And I'm happy I got it used.

For $35.

Labels: book review, embroidery resources, historical needlework, miscellaneous embroidery musings

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Saturday, January 09, 2010
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Keeping with the crewel embroidery theme, if you're looking for source books for designs or inspiration for your own designs, I thought I'd show you a couple books currently available that focus on crewel designs. Keep in mind, though, that the designs are not necessarily only for crewel work. They'd all be equally adaptable to surface embroidery of various types. You'll see what I mean....

Frances Bradbury has written (or rather, drawn) several design books in different needlework techniques, but the two I'm focusing on here are specifically crewel: English Crewel Designs: 16th to 18th Centuries and Early American Crewel Design.



English Crewel Designs: 16th to 18th Centuries is a design source book. As such, you won't find a lot of text herein. There are a couple pages at the beginning of the book that serve as introductory information, but that's it. The rest of the book is devoted to designs - black and white drawings of crewel patterns taken from historical pieces.



While there are no stitch suggestions in the book (and no stitch instructions), it isn't hard to imagine what types of stitches would look good on the various designs. The designs have a good amount of shading and filling - they aren't merely line drawings.



Some of the designs in the book are given as negative images, with black backgrounds and white lines. I suppose this is to indicate pieces that were worked on dark fabric? I don't know! (And I haven't read the introduction to the book!) The majority of the designs, though, are delivered on white paper with black ink.



The designs are adaptable to other forms of embroidery. For example, this panel brings to mind stumpwork embroidery. Now, wouldn't that be fun?!



I did have a laugh at this fellow. This is such a simple treatment of the bird's body. I probably should've looked at this before I marked up my rooster yesterday! I added scallops all over the main part of the rooster's body - in pen, so I don't really have a choice in embroidering them! Ah, well - live and learn!



The second sourcebook for crewel designs by the same author is Early American Crewel Design.



The designs in this book are noticeably different from the designs in the previous book. They're not quite as elaborate. I like these four designs here - they're very much like the "smalls" I've been working on recently.



Even the more elaborate designs in the book are relatively simple - and I think I like them this way. Both books definitely present a different "look" of crewel work, though the designs have obvious things in common - stylized flowers and leaves, woodland animals, etc.

The books are not huge, extensive sourcebooks, but for the price (less than $6.00 new, from Amazon), they're nice design books and good to have on hand for inspiration and ideas. The Early American design book is not currently in stock through Amazon, but it's available through other used book sources. English Crewel Designs is currently available.

Labels: book review, crewel work, embroidery design, historical needlework

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, January 06, 2010
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