The New Anchor Book Of Counted Thread Embroidery Stitches

This manual, for beginners and experienced needleworkers, contains 48 stitches for working on evenweave fabric, and 200 ideas for using them. The stitches are explained with step-by-step diagrams, and there are full-colour embroidery samples suggesting ideas for using patterns and motifs.

Anchor Books are recognized as the essential handy guides to the whole range of embroidery techniques.

The Anchor Embroidery Series offers the perfect introduction to popular embroidery techniques. Blackwork is a counted thread embroidery technique in which repetitive patterns are used to fill outlined areas. This book covers the materials and equipment needed, the essential stitches, and outlines in step-by-step detail the working of 49 infill patterns. It is sure to become an indispensable reference for stitchers. Blackwork was originally so called because black thread was most often used on white fabrics, but many of the 16 original charted designs provided show how this technique can just as effectively be worked with colored threads on colored fabrics. The beautiful designs include ringing Christmas bells, a charming country cottage, delicate florals and an exotic oriental fan and kimono. There are also ideas for how the delightful designs can be used to create a selection of small projects.

Pulled thread is a type of openwork embroidery where the threads of the fabric are pulled back tautly to make decorative holes. This book introduces 27 stitches that can be worked in this way. In addition a further 18 counted stitches are featured that can be used to complement the pulled thread work. All stitches are explained in step-by-step detail. Sixteen original charted designs explore the exciting textural effects that can be achieved: e.g., coil filling stitch perfectly captures the seeded flesh of a luscious strawberry, while the ripple stitch evokes the gentle waves beneath a sailing boat. Other designs include a basket of flowers, sunflowers and roses, and a dragonfly. Pulled thread stitches are ideal for samplers, and an attractive design is included that would be ideal for celebrating a birth or a wedding.

Intended for beginners and experienced embroiderers alike, this book presents a wide variety of stitches, with ideas and techniques for using them. The selection of freestyle stitches is accompanied by 48 motifs, and the stitches are explained in step-by-step instructions and diagrams.

Crewelwork is one of the oldest embroidery techniques; associated with the 17th century and often known as Jacobean embroidery, it is as popular today as it has ever been. Historically worked in soft wools on twilled linens, today's embroiderer is discovering just how successfully the techniques can be applied to stranded cotton threads and a wider variety of fabrics. Crewelwork embroidery is distinguished by its textured, almost three-dimensional stitches. This book outlines in step-by-step detail the working of 48 of the most versatile stitches, listed alphabetically for easy reference. Sixteen new embroidery designs show the stitches worked in context and trace-off patterns are included. The featured embroideries include traditional Jacobean motifs, contemporary flowers, and whimsical celebration designs. There are also ideas for using the embroidered designs on several small projects.