Anna Castagnetti of Verona, Italy learned to embroider from an enthusiastic group of women who were passionate about their art. Being of a curious nature, she soon discovered the beautiful stitches of needle lace like Hedebo, Teneriffe, Aemilia Ars, Reticello, Renaissance and Venice Point. She takes traditional surface embroidery patterns and fills them with an assortment of the stitches from these styles.
Anna’s embroideries are often featured in one of Italy’s leading embroidery magazines called RAKAM.
This is an example of her work where she took a traditional Schwalm pattern and filled it in a completely unique way.
She calls her style an “interpretation” rather than an “invention”. Anna would very much like to inspire young people to discover embroidery. At the Cultural Association “Ricami a Fili Tesi” (which she founded) she encourages her pupils to use their imagination and take chances. She feels that while the results always have different outcomes, they represent each embroiderer’s creativity above all else.
She strongly believes in freedom of creativity and imagination, often simplifying techniques so that they do not require long and laborious preparation.
This cushion was featured in RAKAM in August 2008 and was made with Sotema 20L 38ct 100% linen and Shantung silk. The openings are reinforced with Hedebo stitch and the fillings are various combinations of detached and non-detached Buttonhole stitches.
In September of 2010 she will release her first book which will be in Italian and English and will be filled with instructions and step-by-step photos of the stitches she uses to fill the empty spaces of her designs. The book will also feature four delightful designs to embroider.
Anna can be reached at: anna9 (dot) castagnetti (at) email (dot) it
Thanks to Jeanine of Italian Needlework for the translation of the above!
G’day there Mary,
Thank you to all who made this post possible.
I’m really impressed by the way Anna takes a ‘sweet pretty’ design and transforms it into a beautiful, sophisticated but unpretentious art work. I think perhaps graceful sums it up.
Originality is the spirit of ‘have-a-go’ fulfilled.
It’s easy to be put off by what we think others might think. The key word here is ‘think’.
Get out of your comfort zone and ‘have-a-go’. Talking about, and to, myself I am! I think!!
Hope all goes safely and happily with you and yours Mary,
Cheers, Kath
Exquisite work Anna,the way you combine different techniques & bring out such beautiful piece of art amazes me. .The way you inspire young pupils are commendable.
Your “interpretations ” are gorgeous
She is an inspired lady. I have seen her work in the Italian Needlework blogspot. She brings the traditional to the modern designs, mixing them in a wonderful result!
Exquisite work Anna,the way you combine different techniques & bring out such beautiful piece of art amazes me. .The way you inspire young pupils are commendable.
Your “interpretations ” are gorgeous
…nice photos – I especially love the first one *giggle*
Thanks for the post Mary, you have made Anna feel very special!
😀
very good jour site im thank jou to schaer with me I am duth so please correct me wen I make a mistake in jour langwis great from holland annelies