Design Sources For Symbolism
Messent, Jan
Redwood Books, Wilts UK, 1996
ISBN# 1 874080 96 8
Good book for understanding the symbolism behind the designs. SB
Intermediate
Posts categoriezed as Books
Costume on Brasses
Costume on Brasses
Herbert Druitt
Kingsmead Reprints , Bath, 1970
ISBN# 901571 431
Book is a reprint of a book originally published in 1906. Is a manual of costume as illustrated by monumental brasses with 110 illustrations. CL
Intermediate
Brass Rubbings
Brass Rubbings
Muriel Clayton
HMSO, London, 1979
ISBN# 0 11 29009888 9
Rubbings taken from brasses as early as 1277 and as late as 1585. Good book for costume. CL
Intermediate
Arabesques: Decorative Panels of the Renaissance
Arabesques: Decorative Panels of the Renaissance
Bookking International, Paris, 1995
ISBN# 9 782877 142847
Patterns of Arabesques which would have been used for all types of textiles, architecture, and other ornamentation. Such designs are seen in period modelbuchen and can be adapted to needlework. SB
Advanced
The Relics of Saint Cuthbert
The Relics of Saint Cuthbert
printed for the Dean and Chapter of Durham Cathedral
University Press, Oxford, 1956
Everything you could ever want to know about the fabrics how they were loomed; the needlework even down to how the braid was hand woven. Also discusses other personal items that had belonged to St. Cuthbert. Includes many photos and graphs. CL [Note: good Interlibrary Loan book. SB
Intermediate
Ecclesiastical Embroidery
Ecclesiastical Embroidery
Dean, Beryl
Batsford, London, 1989
Good to read this book after you have read A.G. Christie’s English Medieval Embroidery, because it provides nice instructional diagrams on the stitches and how to use them. Not as in-depth as Christie’s book but nice overview of such different techniques as Canvaswork, Whitework, and Goldwork. Also contains sections on various religious vestments & accessories including how you can reconstruct them. Out of print. IB
Advanced
Church Needlework: A Manual of Practical Instruction
Church Needlework: A Manual of Practical Instruction
Hands, Hinda M.
G. J. Palmer & Sons, London, 1907
A excellent source for understanding the techniques used in church embroidery including metal thread, applique, silk, and couched thread. The pieces of church attire for the pastor and church are clearly explained. For the non-christian this made understanding so many of the historical garment easier. SB
Intermediate
Byzantine Tradition in Church Embroidery
Byzantine Tradition in Church Embroidery
Johnstone, Pauline
Devonshire Press Ltd. , Torquay UK, 1967
The book discusses the gold church embroideries of Byzantium, the relationship of these embroideries with the major arts of Byzantium and their role in the Orthodox Liturgy and the iconography of their decoration. The chief surviving examples of this art are listed and analysed. Lots of black and white photos. CL
Intermediate
The New Carolingian Modelbook: Counted Embroidery Patterns from Before 1600
The New Carolingian Modelbook: Counted Embroidery Patterns from Before 1600
Salazar, Kim Brody
Outlaw Press, Albuquerque NM , 1995
ISBN# 0-9642082-2-9
Kim, AKA IanthZÿ de Averoigne. OL in the SCA, has re-charted counted thread patterns from period sources and various cultures. By her own admission, her book contains designs from books printed before 1600 as well as her own graphs she produced from photos of original historical pieces. Great patterns for borders in blackwork, cross stitch, canvaswork, lacis and drawn thread. Nice period stitch diagrams. IB
Beginner
Renaissance Patterns for Lace, Embroidery and Needlepoint
Renaissance Patterns for Lace, Embroidery and Needlepoint
Vinciolo, Federico
Dover, New York, 1971
ISBN# 0-486-22438-4
Reproduction of a 1587 model book. Patterns primarily for needle lace and voided embroidery. SB
Advanced