White Work: Techniques and 188 Designs

In dozens of countries and in hundreds of varieties, the venerable craft of white work has become a byword for the ultimate form of needlework elegance. Its 3,000-year history encompasses every conceivable form of garment and decorative linen, from peasant blouses to papal vestments and the bridal gowns of queens; it appears in many guises as the favored embroidery of needleworkers from Denmark to South Africa, from England to the Philippines.
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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486236951
• ISBN13: 9780486236957
• Release Date: January 1979
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 8.3" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

Not Too Bad

This books has good illustrations of the stitches used, and many good designs, though I was hoping to find more information about the history of the designs. I'm using them predominantly for Civil War reenacting, and wanted my embroidery to be authentic. The price was good -- as is true of most Dover publications, so I think this was well worth the price I paid, if not more so. This would be a good book for beginners, especially if one looks at it as an open-ended guide that allows for individual creativity and use of colored threads.

Great designs!

I love this book for the designs! If you are looking for White Work eye candy you will be disappointed it has no photographs of white work other than the front cover. This is a simple book and if you look at the price it reflects that as well. Still it is a wonderful book just for the designs alone, which can be used with any embroidery not just in white work. I enjoyed reading about the history and how stitches are used for white work. The only thing that really makes white work any different is that it is done in all white thread on white fabric and when you work in 1 color you need to use different stitches to create texture and make your embroidery interesting. The author suggests stitches for use with the patterns but they are only recommendations. I do wish there was a few examples to "see" what has been explained but that is not needed in order to use the patterns or to try creating your own white work. Overall for the price this book is worth it for the patterns and a little bit of white work history and ideas.

A lovely introduction.

I had never tried whitework before buying this book, but I am glad to own it. It contains a good introduction to the stitches involved in whitework. I found I couldn't put it away - I actually wound up embroidering quilt squares so that I could try as many of the stitches as possible. It helps to have a previous background in sewing and embroidery, but this is a good way to branch out.

I have really enjoyed owning this book

The introduction consist of the history of white work, materials for white work, and transferring the designs. Intructions for white work stitches includes stem, chain, lazy daisy, running, backstitch, straight stitch, seeding, satin, padded satin, long-and-short, french knots, overcast, buttonhole, feather, herringbone, chevon, star, shadow, couching, and lattice filling. The designs are beautiful. The only thing I find wrong is it's paperback. With use though the years it will fall apart. Get your stapler ready!