Ecclesiastical Books

[TheJoyfulStitcher]

What Books could you recommend to me. I have a great interest in Ecclesiastical Work? Some books that I can buy that can teach me everything there is to know?


Thank you
Jennifer G

[AnneG]

Hey, Jennifer, what kind of ecclesiastical embroidery? Like Mary does with vestments? When you respond, I can give you some suggestions. You might also check Tanja Berlin's website to start, that's berlinembroidery.com
Looking forward to hearing from you, AnneG

[TheJoyfulStitcher]

Hello Anne and thank you for the reply Yes like Mary does ( isn't it so lovely )... I will check out the website you gave me while I patiently wait your reply... Thank you so much for your help



PBWY,
Jennifer G

[TheJoyfulStitcher]

Also Anne if you can please explain to me what type of techniques I would need to learn... Thank you in advance

[MaryCorbet]

Hi, Jennifer -

You might check out Beryl Dean's books on ecclesiastical embroidery. The embroidery in them might be a bit more "contemporary" compared to my designs, which lean more towards "traditional," but the technique in them is what you're looking for.

I'd also suggest the following:

A-Z of Goldwork & Silk Embroidery (definitely a must) - here's my review of it: https://www.needlenthread.com/2008/09/it ... -z-of.html

Hazel Everett's Goldwork Techniques, Projects, and Pure Inspiration: https://www.needlenthread.com/2011/09/go ... eview.html

Lucy Mackrille's Church Embroidery and Church Vestments, available online for free - the links are in this post: https://www.needlenthread.com/2007/08/ch ... nline.html

Ruth Chamberline's Beginner's Guide to Goldwork: https://www.needlenthread.com/2007/01/bo ... guide.html

Clare Hanham's Beginner's Guide to Silk Shading: https://www.needlenthread.com/2007/10/bo ... -silk.html

Those are the types of books that will get you going in the techniques commonly used in church embroidery. There are plenty of others, too, but those are the ones I find most useful and that I generally recommend to folks who are venturing into this type church embroidery.

Hope that helps!

~MC

[TheJoyfulStitcher]

Thank you so much Mary

[AnneG]

I second Mary's list with one excerption. I think Beryl Dean's book is out of print, so tends to be very expensive. The designs look really 80-ish dated and I didn't find the instruction helpful. Some of the others are very helpful, especially Lucy Mackrille. It is very expensive in the original, though. You can find and read it online, though.
I would recommend that you look for a local embroidery Guild and see if you can take some classes. I took Japanese embroidery and that gave me the skills i use.
For the white work like altar linens, there are a couple of good books on white work, but, again, if you can, take a class. It saves years of struggle and quickly increases your skills.
I'm taking a white work class next week. I'll try to keep up and answer back more quickly. Btw is there a Japanese embroidery teacher near you?