Islemeler: Ottoman Domestic Embroideries
Black, David & Clive Loveless
David Black Oriental Carpets, London, 1978
ISBN# 0 9505018 2 4
The book from a small exhibition. It covers the stitches, threads and fabrics and how they were used. A couple of pre-17th C examples, but most of the items are undated. Good detailed pictures. SB
Intermediate

Historical Needlework: A Study of Influences in Scotland and Northern England
Swain, Margaret H.
Barrie & Jenkins, London, 1970
ISBN# SBN 257 65213 2
A survey of what influenced needlework with lots of examples taken from private houses. About half the book covers16th and early 17th C needlework. Lots of discussion on design, stitches and threads along with reference materials for each chapter. Good material for a beginning researcher. SB
Intermediate

Here Be Wyverns: Hundreds of Patterns Graphed from Medieval Sources
Spies, Nancy
Arelate Studio, Maryland, 2002
ISBN# 0-9718960-0-3
Lots of wonderful patterns from many different resources. If you plan on using one of these patterns for a contest, just beware that if a pattern was used in one medium, that does not necessarily mean it was used in the medium for your contest entry. SB
Intermediate

Handbook of Stitches
Petersen, Grete and Elsie Svennas
Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, 1959, 1966, 1970
200 Embroidery Stitches including clear information on smocking, tambour work, quilting, and drawn thread. SB
Intermediate

Guide to English Embroidery
Wardle, Patricia
HMSO, London, 1970
ISBN# SBN 11 290030 5
Wardle was a research assistant at the V&A for 10 years with GW Digby and was the predecessor to S. Levey. The book, while primarily in black and white, is an excellent overview of English Embroidery with many examples pre-1600. Stitches and threads used are identified. Very useful for developing an eye to context of patterns and usage. SB
Intermediate

Fitzwiliam Museum Handbooks: Samplers
Humphrey, Carol
Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, 1997
ISBN# 0-521-57592-3
Good pictures and clear descriptions of the samplers in their collection. Book includes eighteen 17th C. samplers from several different countries. SB
Intermediate

English Embroidery in the Royal Ontario Museum: Sixteenth to Eighteenth Centuries
Brett, Katharine B.
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1972
Wonderful pictures with some in color. Each piece is identified with date, materials used and stitches. An excellent resource. SB
Intermediate

English Embroidery
Kendrick, A.F.
B.T. Batsford, London, 1913
Out of print. Starting with Anglo-Saxon period through 18th c., Kendrick provides historical background on each of these periods as it relates to English embroidery. Mostly B&W photos which need serious magnification. Good book for research. No stitch diagrams or instructions on techniques used. IB
Intermediate

English Domestic Embroidery Patterns of the 16th and 17th Centuries, Pp. 1-14 plus plates
Nevinson, J.L.
The Walpole Society, London, 1939-40
This chapter in the 28th volume of the Walpole Society publications is a study of the patterns and trends in patterns used by individual embroideress during the 16th and 17th Centuries. The author had access to major collections of textiles and pattern books for his study. Solid secondary source. SB
Intermediate

Embroidery Stitches
Snook, Barbara
B.T. Batsford Ltd., London, 1963
This one in a series of “how-to” books by Barbara Snook. The directions are very clear and the book is organized by stitch method as well as type. Good general book. SB
Intermediate