July, 2012
The Royal School of Needlework has added to their collection of Essential Stitch Guides lately. The new title is Whitework, by Lizzy Lansberry. As soon as I heard the book was out, I ordered a copy right away - not only to review it for you, but also (and especially) because I love whitework. I figured if this book measures up to the other Stitch Guides produced by the RSN, then it's bound to be a keeper!
And it does. And it is!
Like the other books in the Essential Stitch Guide series, Whitework is a small book with hard board covers and a spiral binding. I admit, I love the size and binding of these books! The books are about 9 tall and 6 wide, and the binding is that full Canadian spiral binding - they're bound with wire rings, but the outside cover covers up the spiral, so you really only see it when you open the book. I know book aesthetics aren't everything, but I appreciate this detail. Instructional books are meant to be used during work, and being able to easily lay the book open on the table is a nice, thoughtful detail.
But let's move inside the book, where the meat of the matter is. The book begins with an introduction, followed by a short history of whitework. Throughout the book, gorgeous examples of whitework serve as inspiration. In the introduction, the author clarifies that whitework is an umbrella term for white-on-white embroidery. And the book addresses whitework in this way - general whitework techniques.
There's the essential section on materials, which covers equipment, fabric, threads, needles - all that needful information! The author itemizes different types of threads that are used in whitework, which is nice information to have written down in one place, especially if you are just starting to explore this type of embroidery.
Next up is a section on design, followed by a section on designing your own piece. This section on design is important. As the Lizzy points out, in whitework, you're not working with color, which is often a key approach to designing other types of embroidery pieces. With whitework, texture and tonal contrast are the key, and in fact, this whole book is logically arranged around this point.
How does one achieve textural and tonal contrast in whitework? It is all about what you do with the ground fabric and what you do with the stuff you put on top of the ground fabric. So the book is arranged according to the order of work in whitework. The main instructional sections in the book, in order, are: pulled thread techniques on the ground fabric, core surface stitches, decorative surface stitches, eyelets, drawn thread work, and cutwork.
In each of these instructional sections, you will find thorough step-by-step photos illustrating the techniques, as well as diagrams and photos to illustrate the completed technique.
This instructional content is where the book really shines. It is logically arranged and thorough in its explanations. And, as is often the case with many instructional needlework books, the techniques taught herein can extend beyond whitework.
Then there are the extras in the back of the book - there's a useful section on taking care of whitework.
There's a section on using the stitches - putting into practice the techniques learned in the book. Keep in mind, this is not a project book, so this section does not lay out projects for you to work. Instead, it demonstrates, up close, how the techniques taught in the book were put into practice in various whitework projects.
Finally, there's a section on additional techniques that are often used in whitework, such as layering fabrics and working on net.
There isn't too much about this book that isn't likable, especially if you have even a hint of interest in whitework. It is concise, clear, direct - and best of all, it is logically arranged. The book makes sense. It's not just random information about whitework all compiled together. Rather, it uses the whole order of work in whitework embroidery to logically progress through the instruction in the book.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2012/07/whitework-rsn-essential-stitch-guide-review.html
* Mary Corbet's Needle 'n Thread *
Dec 12/Jan 13
This is another of the Essential Stitch Guides produced in collaboration with The Royal School of Needlework who teach hand embroidery to the highest standards while developing new and innovative techniques. The history of Whitework is diverse and complex because there are so many cultures and techniques involved and, in its many forms, it may be seen in historical textiles all over the world. Whitework is pulled thread work using counted stitches to pull apart the threads of the background fabric thus creating lace-like patterns. The book has clear instructions and beautiful examples of historical and contemporary pieces and Lizzy Lansberry shows from design through to stitch how to create stunning embroideries using traditional techniques.
* Fabrications *
Oct 12
Experience top-class tuition straight from the Royal School of Needlework with this new addition to the Essential Stitch Guides range. Lizzy Lansberry reveals the wonders of Whitework for you to learn at home. The book takes you through the fundamentals of the technique such as pulled thread stitches, surface stitches, decorative stitches, drawn thread stitches and the all-important cutwork. The spiral-bound book also features extensive information about the history of Whitework, the materials used, framing up work and transferring the design.
* NEW STITCHES *
Nov 12
This book shows excellent examples of the use of a traditional stitch and then how to develop it into contemporary stitching. The author uses the very traditional and delicate stitching of traditional whitework to explain methods such as darning, long and short stitch and cut work to great effect to create beautiful lacy fabrics. The examples are inspiring and look both beautiful and fragile. There are very comprehensive diagrams and photographs illustrating the actual methods so that an aspiring stitcher could follow the stitching techniques of their choice. She includes a section on the history of whitework, materials and equipment and design. After sections on stitches, she concludes with a chapter on reworking a traditional design and further techniques. A very useful handbook.
* Merseyside Embroiderer's Guild (megonline.co.uk) *
Dec 12
RSN Whitework and RSN Goldwork: Both these books, although covering traditional needle work techniques, cover quite different approaches, with whitework looking very pure and pared down and the goldwork appearing very sumptuous and colourful. Whitework is introduced from its historical roots, but the feeling throughout the book is that, while retaining some of this history in the stitching and processes of working, the movement is into the contemporary period. Many designs have a modern feel to them, and there is some reworking of traditional pieces into up to date designs. The work in Goldwork is much denser, with more variety in the stitches and embellishments. The work looks more traditional, but there are a few pictures towards the end, where techniques are combined and more contemporary pieces showcased. Both books contain a huge selection of stitches and techniques, with an Order of Work given in both for a successful outcome. They are both well illustrated with clear instructions, and would act as both a good introduction and way of moving forward for anyone working in either discipline.
* Workshop On The Web *
