Books and Links
Book Reviews
The links below will take you directly to my book review for each book listed. They do not take you to any outside website. Within each book review, I often will direct you to where you can find the book online for purchase.
I use affiliate programs when linking to books on Amazon and other books sources. The small percentage that I receive from your purchase helps to cover the expenses of running Needle ‘n Thread.
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
- 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.
- Nordic Needle – a thorough source, especially for Hardanger and Counted Cross Stitch. They also carry heaps of accessories. Service is always excellent.
- 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!
- 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!).
- 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.