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Whitework

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Period Stitches (#3 in a series)
One of the most frequently asked questions in the Guild is, “What stitches are period?” This article, the third in a series of six, looks at the third category of the Apprenticeship Program, Whitework.
This article first appeared in the Guild newsletter, the Filum Aureum, Summer 2000.

Whitework
by Aldith Angharad St. George

Whitework is a general term for embroidery worked on white linen fabric with a white (usually linen) thread. There are many forms and styles of Whitework. Some forms use texture for effect, such as counted brick stitch or satin stitch work, and can be strictly classified as embroidery. Other forms rely on open spaces made in the fabric for their effect, such as pulled-thread and especially drawn-thread work. These forms of whitework lead to the needle laces of the 16th century. Whitework can also include outlines and details worked with a black, brown or dark blue thread of wool or silk.Continue reading Whitework

The Open Canvas: An Instructional Encyclopedia of Openwork Techniques (Pulled Canvas, Needleweaving, Hemstitching, Filet, Hardanger, Reticello & Hedebo)

The Open Canvas: An Instructional Encyclopedia of Openwork Techniques (Pulled Canvas, Needleweaving, Hemstitching, Filet, Hardanger, Reticello & Hedebo) published on No Comments on The Open Canvas: An Instructional Encyclopedia of Openwork Techniques (Pulled Canvas, Needleweaving, Hemstitching, Filet, Hardanger, Reticello & Hedebo)

The Open Canvas: An Instructional Encyclopedia of Openwork Techniques (Pulled Canvas, Needleweaving, Hemstitching, Filet, Hardanger, Reticello & Hedebo)
Ambuter, Carolyn
Workman Publishing, New York, 1982
ISBN# 0-89480-170-6
In my opinion the clearest and easiest to use notebook of openwork/whitework stitches. Hundreds of stitches are diagramed and pictured with clear instructions. If you have to have one book in this area, this is it. SB
Intermediate

The Needle-Made Lace of Reticella

The Needle-Made Lace of Reticella published on No Comments on The Needle-Made Lace of Reticella

The Needle-Made Lace of Reticella
Kliot, Jules & Kaethe
Lacis, Berkeley CA, 1994
ISBN# 0-916896-57-9
Partially a reproduction of early lace books and partially rewritten for the modern reticella worker, this is the clearest presentation of how to do reticella I have yet found. Many of the pattern also date back to 16th – 17th C pattern books for lace. SB
Advanced

The Needle: A Magazine of Fancy Work and other Handicrafts — Drawn Thread Work with 33 Photographic Illustrations, 1st Series

The Needle: A Magazine of Fancy Work and other Handicrafts — Drawn Thread Work with 33 Photographic Illustrations, 1st Series published on No Comments on The Needle: A Magazine of Fancy Work and other Handicrafts — Drawn Thread Work with 33 Photographic Illustrations, 1st Series

The Needle: A Magazine of Fancy Work and other Handicrafts — Drawn Thread Work with 33 Photographic Illustrations, 1st Series
The London Guild of Needlework
London Guild of Needlework, London,
Reprint by Bette Feinstein, Needlework Books, of a magazine from the 1st part of the 20th C. Fun to have, but the information on stitches and patterns are available in other sources. SB
Intermediate

The Art of Drawn Work: The ÒMetropolitan Art SeriesÓ Vol 2, No. 1, March 1896

The Art of Drawn Work: The ÒMetropolitan Art SeriesÓ Vol 2, No. 1, March 1896 published on No Comments on The Art of Drawn Work: The ÒMetropolitan Art SeriesÓ Vol 2, No. 1, March 1896

The Art of Drawn Work: The ÒMetropolitan Art SeriesÓ Vol 2, No. 1, March 1896
Kliot, Jules and Kaethe, ed.
Lacis Publications, Berkeley CA, 1989
ISBN# 0-916896-29-3
Reproduction of ButterickÕs 1896 publication. When you look at some of the more complicated patterns and wonder how they were constructed, this is the book for you. Very clear diagrams which breakdown complicated designs into clear steps. SB
Intermediate

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