From Mary Corbet's Needle 'n' Thread
A-Z of Stumpwork was originally published by Country Bumpkin Publications, but, as of 2015, it has been recently re-published by Search Press, along with the rest of the A-Z needlework series.
This is good news for embroiderers worldwide, because the A-Z books are some of the best embroidery reference books (and the most beautiful!), and they're now available to a wider audience, more affordably.
A-Z of Stumpwork focuses on dimensional embroidery techniques, made famous in 17th century embroidery, and enjoying a huge resurgence in popularity today.
The cover above is from the new A-Z of Stumpwork published by Search Press in 2015.
If you own the old version, or if you're considering buying a used copy, the old cover looks like this:
The book begins with general information about stumpwork: materials needed, tools, how to transfer the design, and so forth. Then it launches into the instructional section, which covers surface embroidery stitches (both raised and padded stitches), padding and slip techniques, wirework techniques, needlelace techniques, and beading techniques.
Each technique section is filled with step-by-step color photos.
Below each photo is the written explanation of the step illustrated.
If you've wondered how to use felt as padding, wonder no more - the book shows several different ways to use felt, whether in single layers or worked up over many layers.
The book instructs on ways of making separate slips - that is, embroidered pieces that are separate from the main design and then attached onto the design.
Wired leaves always come to mind when I think of stumpwork, and the book demonstrates clearly how to make these detachable leaves and petals, and how to attach them to the main design.
Beads are a regular part of many stumpwork designs, so there's a thorough section on how to attach beads to your stumpwork projects.
And often in stumpwork, we run across covered beads - berries or whatnot made out of thread-covered wooden beads. The book details different ways to cover these types of beads.
Finally, the back of the book features over twenty beautiful stumpwork projects created by talented designers from all over the world. (Incidentally, the Magic Mushrooms stumpwork designabove is available for free on the Country Bumpkin website.)
The designs range from tropical birds to modern flowers to scenes of Africa to Elizabethan flowers - there's a wide variety of designs, and they're suited for beginners to stumpwork, to intermediate (and beyond).
The back of the book contains line drawings for all the designs and their elements.
What can I say about this book that the book doesn't say for itself? If you're interested in stumpwork embroidery, then I'd say this is one of those necessary reference books that you'll want on your bookshelf!
-- Mary Corbet * Mary Corbet's Needle 'n' Thread *
April 2015
Since it's 17th-century heyday, stitchers have been charmed by raised embroidery's ability to produce truly animated results, and stumpwork is enjoying a well-deserved renaissance. Lizzie Kulinski's teddy bear 'Henry' begs to be picked up and cuddled with his padded muzzle and domed tum. Jan Kerton's beaded 3D blackberries are succulent enough to lure the birds from the trees. Libby Vater's 'Cottontail' bunny's ear, worked as a detached piece, is affixed with an instruction impossible to resist: 'Gently stroke the ear to shape it.' Packed with clear step-by-step photographs and instructions and full-size trace of patterns, this is an essential guide; stumpwork beginners and experts will appreciate the careful distillation of basic and advanced techniques, styles and colourful inspiration. A welcome practicality is the 'lay-flat' binding, which enables the book to remain open for reference while you stitch.
* Stitch *
March 2015
This form of three-dimensional embroidery has been around since the 17th century. This book shows stitches used with over 400 step-by-step photos. Full-size patterns are included for 20 designs. You'll find out all about raised and padded stitches. Each stitch is clearly shown and the instructions are easy to follow. The designs include mushrooms, flowers, animals, a bear, berries and butterflies. With each design, you see clearly at a glance the stitches used, materials needed and order of work. There are no step-by-step photos for working the designs. Favourite designs include Elizabethan Bouquet; Geraldton Wax, an Iris and if I could only choose one, it would be Gossamer because the silver wire worked butterfly is stunning.
* Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts *
