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.

The decorative and creative possibilities of freestyle embroidery are explored to the fullest in this indispensable book. Starting by covering basic techniques such as selecting fabrics and threads, transferring an embroidery design to fabric, and working with a hoop or frame, it goes on to explain 48 stitches in step-by-step detail. These are listed alphabetically, from Antwerp Edging to Wheatear Stitch, for ease. It is often said that an embroiderer can create beautiful work from just a few stitches; however the 16 new and original designs included show just how effective the varied selection of stitches can be to add texture to a design and take embroidery into another dimension. Celebration designs, fantastic flowers and lovely landscapes will inspire the embroiderer to begin extending their stitch repertoire today.

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.

Blackwork, or black-on-white embroidery, has long been a popular craft among needleworkers. Often referred to as "Spanish work" because of its association with Catherine of Aragon and its possible connection with Moorish Spain, blackwork has also been well-documented in portraits by Hans Holbein the Younger and other 16th-century artists. In the present carefully researched work, this beautiful, distinctive, and age-old craft receives a comprehensive treatment from veteran needlecrafter Mary Gostelow. She first offers a fascinating background history of blackwork, tracing its use in England, the United States, and other countries. Clear, concise descriptions of stitches and equipment — needles, ground fabric, embroidery thread, and more — accompany discussions of contemporary styles and suggestions for innovative patterns. Originally applied to clothing and household items, blackwork is still used today to embellish table linens, bedding, wearing apparel, pillows, wall hangings, and other domestic articles. Enhanced with 140 illustrations, including many close-up sketches of blackwork designs, this intriguing and valuable how-to book will appeal to needlecrafters wanting to apply the time-honored techniques of blackwork to new projects in decorative embroidery.

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.

Blackwork has a rich history that has developed over the years into an iconic and sophisticated style of embroidery. This practical book presents a number of ways to approach blackwork embroidery, from forming basic stitches and patterns to developing complex shaded pieces with confidence. Through an assortment of exercises, it introduces the principles of shading along with several projects to further explore the potential of blackwork. Detailed instructions on designing and developing shaded pieces of blackwork embroidery are given along with guidance on how to choose suitable images for translating into stitch. Step-by-step instructions on how to form basic stitches and how to form patterns are included as well as almost 250 shaded patterns, indicating how differing patterns appear when worked in different thicknesses of thread. Finally, patterns are grouped by family for easy identification and pattern blending.

Modern version of traditional craft; materials, techniques, patterns, projects. 320 illustrations.