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Mary Corbet

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I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

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Stumpwork Embroidery – Book Review

 

Amazon Books

If you’re keen to learn a variety of approaches to stumpwork embroidery – from figures to scenes to animals and flowers – you’ll definitely be interested in Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay and Michael Dennis.

Stumpwork Embroidery, published just last year by Search Press, is a hefty instructional book that teaches the basics of stumpwork and how to apply them to all kinds of projects. The book is a combination of Kay & Michael Dennis’s other books that are no longer in print, so if you have one or more of their previous books (like Stumpwork Figures, Beginner’s Guide to Stumpwork, or Stumpwork Seasons), you’ll recognize some of the content.

Let’s take a look at what Stumpwork Embroidery has to offer the stumpwork enthusiast, shall we?

Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay & Michael Dennis

First of all, the book is large. It’s large in size, and it’s large in scope!

Kay & Michael Dennis are a husband and wife team from the UK who have been working together for a long time! You can read all about them on their website, Kay Dennis Stumpwork. While you’re there, do visit the gallery – this 3-D walled garden is exquisite!

Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay & Michael Dennis

Right from the start of the book, Kay’s stumpwork scenes will grab you. The flora and fauna are terrifically abundant! And this time of year, with spring approaching at a rapid clip (at least here in Kansas), there’s nothing like an abundance of sunny daffodils and fluffy sheep, to set the mood!

Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay & Michael Dennis

The book begins with an introduction and a short history of stumpwork, which is nice to read. The authors present a good overview of what stumpwork is and where it comes from, and for 17th century stumpwork fans, you’ll enjoy the photos.

Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay & Michael Dennis

From there, we get into the materials and equipment necessary for stumpwork, with a good overview of a variety of threads and fabrics.

I especially like this:

Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay & Michael Dennis

There’s a little section pins and needles and what kinds are used for what – and why it’s important to use the right needles for different jobs.

And the close up shot of Kay’s pincushion endears me to the woman. It’s a riot of needles and pins!

Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay & Michael Dennis

In the section on getting started, there’s good discussion and information on developing designs and where to look for inspiration. This is invaluable if you’ve been contemplating how to go about creating your own stumpwork scenes.

Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay & Michael Dennis

Next up, using a project to demonstrate (and that you can practice on), the author teaches basic stumpwork techniques using primarily regular embroidery stitches. The instruction is presented through step by step photos, explanations and tips, and diagrams.

Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay & Michael Dennis

Padding techniques, covering 3-dimensional objects (like beads and the like) and stitch instructions are all laid out clearly. You’ll see instructional samples in progress and large, clear images of the finished samples.

Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay & Michael Dennis

From embroidery, we move into needlelace. Here, you’ll learn all kinds of needlelace stitches and techniques for enhancing your stumpwork projects.

Kay uses needlelace for many stumpwork elements, from flowers to animals to clothing on figures…

Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay & Michael Dennis

…and fish!

(And frogs!)

Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay & Michael Dennis

We’re taken step-by-step through creating various projects that serve as practice, and that can also serve as a springboard for further stumpwork embellishment.

I love the mushrooms!

Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay & Michael Dennis

Next, Kay covers how to create a whole stumpwork scene, from designing the scene, to setting up the background, to stitching the key elements that bring the scene to life.

Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay & Michael Dennis

Then, we get people – stumpwork figures from simple to complex.

Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay & Michael Dennis

If you’ve ever pondered the figures on stumpwork boxes and museum pieces and wondered just how to go about replicating them on your own projects, wonder no more. Kay takes you through creating bodies, faces, hands, legs, hair, and clothing, and makes the process accessible for beginners and beyond.

Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay & Michael Dennis

After the figures, we get the Seasons project. This is a series of scenes representing the four seasons, all melding into one stumpwork project, and combining embroidery and needlelace.

The seasons project can be split into smaller vignettes or created as a whole. It’s a neat way to approach a stumpwork sampler, with a theme that holds the sampler together (the four seasons), and full of great opportunities for stitching flowers, animals, trees, insects, and scenery.

Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay & Michael Dennis

In the back of the book, you’ll find all the line patterns for the various projects and stumpwork elements…

Stumpwork Embroidery by Kay & Michael Dennis

…plus a basic stitch dictionary with clear diagrams for all the embroidery stitches used on the projects in the book.

Pros and Cons

Pros (and lots of ’em!):

The book is packed with instructional content on various levels of stumpwork; there are plenty of opportunities for practice in the various projects presented; the instructions are clear and easy to understand; the book covers pretty much everything you’d want to know to get started in stumpwork.

Cons:

If you already own all of the previous Dennis books, you will find this book redundant in content, though you might like the idea of having everything accessible in one volume. The design style might not be for everyone, especially for those who prefer more formal stumpwork designs typical like those, for example, of Jane Nicholas. This book has definitely a more “earthy” approach and is less formal. This isn’t necessarily a con, though – it just depends on your particular preferences in style.

In a nutshell:

Stumpwork Embroidery is a terrific instructional book. If you’re into the whole 17th century stumpwork casket scene – or making modern stumpwork boxes, gardens, scenes and the like – you need this book! It’s one of those books you’ll keep on hand all the time for instructional reference and ideas while you explore stumpwork.

Where to Find Stumpwork Embroidery

Stumpwork Embroidery is available now through the following affiliate book sources:

In the US, you can find Stumpwork Embroidery through Amazon.

You can also find Stumpwork Embroidery through Book Depository, which offers free worldwide shipping.

Coming Up on Needle ‘n Thread…

Yes, I’m starting a new project. It’s sort of small, sort of quick (it has a deadline – ye gads!), and it’ll be fun to work through (I hope). The finish is a book cover. I’m going about it with a few new approaches, especially when it comes to transferring the design. I’ll be sharing it with you along the way!

Don’t forget the Hand & Lock class give-away here on Needle ‘n Thread. The winner will be announced next week. If you are able to attend the classes in Williamsburg and you’re interested in monogramming or tambour beading, follow the guidelines on the original give-away post and leave a comment before next week!

 
 

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(10) Comments

  1. Mary, Thank you for your reviews on these embroidery books.
    I am very interested in trying stumpwork and have been trying to read as much as I can on it. I do have the Jane Nicholas book, but it seems very advanced for me. Maybe, I should just jump right into a few small mofits and not be so fearful to try it out.
    This past week I ordered the Beginner’s Guide to Stumpwork ( Kay Dennis) so wondering how that will compare with her Stumpwork Embroidery Book? The designs on the cover don’t wow me, but most important is learning the stitches and technique. Thx for the helpful reviews!! Lynn S

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  2. Dear Mary

    This looks like a great book and full of different features which interest me and I love the walled garden on Kay’s gallery on her website. I’ve never tried stump work but it looks fascinating and I’m looking for a new project so maybe the book will inspire me to try stumpwork. I was thinking of a book cover for some of my Bibles that I have so your new project might inspire me to stitch along with you. I can’t wait to see your new approaches to transferring the design, please share soon. Thanks for the review of Stumpwork Embroidery and for sharing the photos of the Kay’s work and for your review of the book.

    Regards Anita Simmance

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  3. This book looks like it would also be a great enhancement to my growing library of applique resources. Mixing some stump work onto an applique quilt block would be a good place for me to start. Happy Stitching!

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  4. Good afternoon Mary. I read this post this morning, but I spent my “posting time” looking at the book! LOL. Love, love it. Want it. You are soooo bad for my pocketbook!!! It will have to wait a bit on the “I want” list, but I know it will eventually be joining my “library”. I don’t care a hoot about clothes, as long as they are clean with no holes I am happy, but don’t put me near books or paint supplies… I am just hopeless about those. LOL. I will enjoy having my own library tho, once I am living in the wilds of Arkansas (soon I hope. They are sheetrocking and taping now.) 🙂

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  5. Hi Mary….Iam so loving this article. The last three days I have been on pinterest viewing some awesome stumpwork…I like the butterfly’s they look so lively when applied to flowers etc…I wonder though how using wire and how frustrating it could get…Iam sure I need to read more before attempting this type of embroidery…I sure would like to give it a try since Iam so into crazy quilts just the thought of having a butterfly or flower that looks so real. My imagination goes wild when finding things so new to try….I do have a question do you always have to use the wire to do stumpwork, or is it used only for certain objects? Again I need to do more research…..Thx and God Bless…Trish

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  6. I went to Amazon.com and was able to click on the “look inside” link. There are a lot of pages shown, not 4-6 like in other books. It gives you the table of contents, and the index, and the first few pages of each section.

    This brings up the question. Where can I get an embroidery shoe? I understand how it works, but I can’t think of anything I have that is small enough that I could use instead.

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    1. Hi, Sharon – check Etsy. Search “half cone sticks embroidery” – there’s a seller on there, in the UK. I’m sure there must be someone in the US who makes them, but… off the top of my head, I don’t know of anyone.

  7. Hi
    I recently purchased the “shoes” and ring from the UK needle lace guild website. The lady there was lovely I just sent an email asking for them and they were
    delivered in a couple of days.
    BTW for those of us who like to see rather than read how to do needle lace Michael Denis does an excelent youtube series on beginners needle lace.

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