A-Z of Whitework

Reviews / Votes

When it comes to learning embroidery techniques, you can't go wrong with Country Bumpkin's A-Z series, and they've done it again! They've released another great book in the series, this time on whitework embroidery. Here's what you'll find in it...



A-Z of Whitework, recently republished by Search Press (2015), covers all the basics of whitework techniques, from candlewicking to cutwork and net embroidery. You'll find hundreds of step-by-step photos for stitch directions and finish work.



What is whitework? Basically, it's any kind of stitching technique in white threads on white cloth. Normally, it's associated with embroidering motifs in white cotton on white linen, and often includes spaces in the design that have been cut away, in a technique called cutwork. Whitework is often associated with household linens and smaller items like monogrammed handkerchiefs. The stitches used are various, but typically you see padded satin stitch, stem stitch, buttonhole stitch, lattice work over open ground, seed stitching, French knots, and a variety of filling techniques.



Some techniques of whitework, such as Mountmellick embroidery, rely on relief work, padded stitches, and stitches that provide a lot of texture, so that there's a noticeable and pleasing contrast between the fabric and the stitchwork.



I thought I'd show you some samples of my whitework pieces that are either (unfortunately) in storage boxes for lack of household space, or that I have here and there around the house.



This is a close-up of a handkerchief, which I guess passes for whitework, although some of the stitching, as you can see, is not white, but rather a pale, pale blue. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue - you guessed it - it's a wedding hanky! Most of the stitching is pin stitch, stem stitch, satin stitch, and eyelets. All of these techniques are covered in the A-Z book!



http://www.needlenthread.com/2007/04/new-z-embroidery-book-whitework-plus.html * Mary Corbet's Needle 'n Thread * February/March 2125



Another re-issued title in the Classic A-Z series covering ten different techniques where white threads are used on white fabric. Every stitch within each technique is comprehensively illustrated and interspersed with beautiful and inspiring photographs of embroideries across a range of differing ages and cultures. A must-have volume for all embroiderers. * East Kent Embroiderer's Guild * March 2015



This classic reference is an updated book previously published. It is an A-Z of many whitework techniques including my favourite Mountmellick. Discover a brief history, finished work to inspire and over 1,000 photographs that show off the stitching. Includes Ayrshire, Broderie Anglaise, Candlewicking, Carrickmacross, Hebedo, Madeira and Tambour as well as Shadow Work. All the stitches for each type of whitework are included. Beginners and experienced stitchers will return to this again and again. * Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts * April 2015



When I received this book I had no preconceived expectations, but if the introduction was anything to go by I knew there were good things to come. It was interesting to have the history covering a variety of techniques, but a list of materials and stitches used in those technique was an added bonus. For me personally this book certainly has taken some of the mystery out of "whitework". * East Sussex Embroiderer's Guild * No. 82, Aug-Oct 07



The subtitle of this book, "Everything you ever wanted to know about whitework" aptly sums up what this volume is all about. Presented in a step-by-step format on easy-to-read spiral bound pages, there are lots of colour photographs at every stage. Any stitch you may need is illustrated in great detail and there are little tips scattered throughout to add interest. At the start of each section there is a history and illustrations covering an aspect of whitework varying from Ayrshire embroidery to Tambour embroidery with cutwork, shadow work, Mountmellick and more in between. A-Z of Whitework is the perfect book to get you started in one of the whitework techniques, with over 1000 photographs to guide you, you cannot go wrong! * Classic Stitches * Aug/Sep 09



Whitework is a general term that encompasses a wide range of techniques which vary hugely, from the delicate stitches of Ayrshire work, which was traditionally worked on the finest cotton lawn, to the robust Mountmellick embroidery worked with thicker threads on cotton satin jean fabric. Some techniques are worked on the surface of the fabric, while in others some areas are cut away; the unifying characteristic is the use of white threads on white fabric. If you want to explore the use of white on white, this book offers a wide range of stitches and techniques, including Carrickmacross (often described as lace, but in fact a form of embroidery worked on a net ground), Hedebo (Danish whitework), candlewicking, shadow work - and of course, Ayrshire and Mountmellick. Information about the origins and history of each technique, suitable fabrics, threads and needles accompany the step-by-step stitch instructions. * Stitch * July 2015



The white thread-on-white fabric style of whitework has roots stretching as far back as the ancient Egyptians, and whitework appears in the embroidery traditions of a variety of cultures. This guide to whitework focuses primarily on traditions of the British Isles, such as Ayrshire embroidery, Mountmellick, and candlewicking, with a few forays into Continental embroidery styles, including Madeira embroidery and cutwork. Each type of whitework has its own chapter, which begins with a history of the technique, a guide to commonly employed stitches, and historical and contemporary examples of the technique in use. An encyclopedia of stitches follows, including stepby- step photographs of each stitch as it is constructed, as well as textual instructions. Though many of the basic stitches are familiar to stitchers with a general knowledge of embroidery, each type of whitework uses its own specialty stitches, and information about these stitches and their assemblage can be difficult to find in general embroidery references. VERDICT Traditional whitework embroidery-especially Mountmellick and cutwork-is starting to get some attention on embroidery blogs, and these classic techniques will appeal to stitchers with sophisticated tastes. * Library Journal, USA *