A Sampling Of Books
"Patty Polk did this and she hated every stitch she did in it.
She loves to read much more."
A fervent disclaimer stitched by Patty Polk,
of Kent, Md, on her sampler dated 1800.
"Patty Polk did this and she hated every stitch she did in it.
She loves to read much more."
A fervent disclaimer stitched by Patty Polk,
of Kent, Md, on her sampler dated 1800.
Here follows a list of some of the sampler etc books that I have found really useful! I believe that most of these books are in print and should be fairly easily available.
Two classic books about samplers are:
Samplers and Tapestry Embroideries by Marcus B. Huish.
Originally published in 1913; 1991 ed published by Batsford.
ISBN 0 7134 6463 1 (paperback)
Samplers by Averil Colby.
1987, Batsford.
ISBN 0 7134 4647 1 (paperback)
Both these are histories of samplers, and include photos of many beautiful old band samplers. Mrs Colby's book also contains line illustrations of various sampler motifs.
Samplers and Stitches by Mrs Archibald Christie.
First issued in 1920; 1986 ed published (yet again!) by Batsford.
ISBN 0 1734 4796 6 (paperback). Some of Mrs Christie's work may be
seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum on London.
Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches.
First issued 1934;1993 ed published by Hodder and Stoughton.
ISBN 0 340 34662 0
Again these are classics; there is a new version (larger and in colour) of Mary Thomas's book, revamped (for want of a better word) by Jan Eaton. I would consider it a completely different book myself!
The Proper Stitch by Darlene O'Steen.
1994; published by Symbol of Excellence Publishers, Inc.
ISBN 0 932437 03 6 (Spiral bound)
(Available from the publishers in USA and from Needle Needs in UK)
I believe this to be THE sampler stitchers bible; it is clearly illustrated,
shows diagrams of both front and BACK of stitches, and has
instructions on how to start and finish threads.
A Notebook of Sampler Stitches by Eileen Bennet.
And ditto Part Two.
1990 and 1993, published by the author, and available
from the Sampler House,8112, Weatherwax, Jenison,
Michigan 49428-8300. (Spiral bound)
(I think I got one copy mail order from CS&CC catalogue.)
These are a nice pocket book size to carry round; I use them when
I just need a brief reminder on how to...
The Open Canvas: an illustrated encyclopaedia of open-work techniques
by Caroline Ambuter.
Published 1982 by Workman Publishing, NY; (I think I have seen and
English edition some time ago by Penguin?)
ISBN 0 89480 171 6 (Paperback)
This is another of my 'must haves' and I had it on almost permanent
loan from the library until I found my own copy. Includes sections
on pulled canvas, needle-weaving, hemstitching, filet, Hardanger,
and reticello and Hedebo. It is a project work book as well as
encyclopaedia.
Hardanger - Basics and Beyond by Janice Love.
Published by Love 'N Stitches.
This is available generally from needlework
shops rather than book shops. I like it because it has a section
illustrating all the common errors that you can make, and showing
how to fix them.
Danish Pulled Thread Embroidery by Esther Fangel et al.
Published 1977 by Dover;
ISBN 0 486 23474 6 (Paperback)
Pulled Thread Embroidery by Moyra McNeill.
(Re)published 1993 by Dover.
ISBN 0 486 27857 3 (Paperback)
Why Call it Blackwork? by Marion Scoular.
Self published, and available from Needlework shops.
A New Modelbook for Spanish Stitches, by Kathleen Epstein.
Published 1993 by The Curious Works Press.
ISBN 0 9633331 27 (pamphlet)
Double running stitch designs and techniques.
Assissi Embroidery by Eva Maria Lesner.
Published 1988 by Batsford.
ISBN 0 7134 5595 0 (Paperback)
Traditional patterns.
Finally, a couple of books with charts of traditional designs suitable for band samplers:
Traditional Motifs for Needlework and Knitting by Carola Forg.
Published 1992 by Lark Books.
ISBN 0 937274 65 8
Historical Designs for Embroidery by Louisa F Pesel.
Published first in 1956; this ed 1988?? by Batsford.
ISBN 0 7134 5999 9
Cross stitch and double running stitch traditional designs.
If I have missed any books that you consider to be equally useful to YOU please let me know and I will add them to my future lists.
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