Whitework (Essential Stitch Guides) Hardcover – October 5, 2012

The Royal School of Needlework is housed at Hampton Court and serves the royal family and the Church of England amongst others. The RSN also teaches embroidery in all techniques and textile history and preservation as well as offering workshops to amateur embroiderers. For those of us not lucky enough to be able to apprentice at the RSN or even attend a workshop, the RSN publishes books covering virtually every extant needlework technique and usually covers the history of the technique as well as providing instructions.The new book from RSN, Whitework, follows the standard format that has been so successful for both reader and writer in the past. First the history and style of the technique is detailed including variations and materials are reviewed. This section is always the perfect combination of comprehensive and efficient. Then various techniques, with illustrations of both historical and contemporary examples, are detailed with step-by-step photographed instructions. The examples are always inspiring and the techniques are easy to follow for even the beginning needleworker. RSN expects the best and provides the means to produce the best in their detailed written and photographed instructions. The techniques and styles usually progress from simple to more complex so the careful reader can build skills both by reading and by attempting the examples. Line drawings of patterns arent provided but the ambitious needleworker could easily make a cartoon of the various examples.Whitework covers Pulled Thread Embroidery, Decorative Surface Stitches, Eyelets, Drawn Thread Embroidery, Cutwork and even includes a small section on layered whitework and cutwork. I personally was disappointed that the layered section wasn't longer as I am familiar with the other forms of work and was hoping for more instruction in layered work, but that is purely a personal complaint and in no way affects the wonderful quality of this book and its instructions. Finally, when reading the about the author information I was thrilled to see that the author is a young, recent graduate of the apprentice program at RSN. Embroidery is a slow and painstaking art and doesn't have many adherents in the younger generation and I was excited that such a talented young embroiderer is already making her mark in the embroidery world.Whitework is recommended as a very good introduction to the basic forms of whitework with excellent, detailed instruction and many fine examples of the work. Further detail in any of the specific forms of whitework embroidery will require another book on that specific technique but Whitework will teach you all of the basics and intermediate forms of the style and will allow the reader to decide which forms of whitework she enjoys. Highly recommended as a good source as are all of the RSN needlework books.

I got this because we all need a craft to keep our hands busy in isolation, and whitework seemed both more technical and to require less materials than other types of embroidery. This book doesn't have a straightforward beginner project, though it gives extremely clear and detailed explanations of the stitches and even goes through how to create designs and transfer them.The only fault is that the Amazon description doesn't list what materials are recommended, so I had to wait a week for the book, and then ordered materials and waited another week for those to arrive. You'll want an embroidery frame (I got a 3" hoop and it's a bit small), a pack of embroidery needles, stranded cotton thread, and even weave cotton or linen fabric. I also got a blue transfer pencil to trace designs. A small pair of scissors is recommended, and I just used a pair of very sharp Tweezerman nail scissors, because I had them on hand. There's additional specialty tools recommended, too, but these are the basics. I'm still working on my initial project, but it's coming on very well.

Now I know how my grandmothers made their work look so good on both sides

The Kindle version is basically a copy of the physical book. The result is low-quality readability, even with zooming. I was forced to use the maximum zoom and then pan the screen so that I could read the titles and subtitles. The instructive text was too small on my screen.That said, I'm going to order a physical copy of the book, based on the beautiful photos. I especially liked the tablecloth design, which featured an elaborate floral pattern that has a vintage vibe.

This is a lovely book. Very helpful with whitework stitches and patterns.

It's refreshing to have a hard-copy manual rather than relying on a website while I try to learn. The photos are excellent and the instructions are clear and detailed.

I took a whiteworking class with someone from the Royal School of Needlework in London, and this book was among those spread out on the table for us to choose to buy. I already had it, but was glad to see that it is valued by those more in the know than I. It covers many techniques that interest me, and I have spent many pleasant hours perusing it, and working from it.

This is my go to book for whitework instruction. I love the way it is set up. It is very easy to understand. I plan on buying some of the other Royal School of Needlework books soon.

Bom livro.

Das Buch aus der Serie der RSN BÜCHER lädt zum SCHMÖKERN und SELBERMACHEN ein!!Die Anleitungen sind klar und strukturiert.Umfangreiche Erklärungen für diese Technik bieten dem etwas erfahrenen STICKER gute Anleitungen und einen tieferen Einblick in die Weißstickerei!!Ich habe allerdings einen sehr schönen Stich der in einem Projekt verwandt wurde im Buch vermisst:Der Schriftzug VOGUE wurde im LADDER STITCH?? gearbeitet…solche Anleitungen finden sich dann aber in der STITCH BANK auf der Homepage der RSN!!!

Je possède plusieurs livres de la série de livres de la Royal School for Needlework et ils sont très bien faits.

le immagini che spiegano i punti non sono chiare e pertanto non si capisce niente

Todo perfecto, me ha encantado recibir esta maravilla, es un libro muy didáctico y lo recomiendo a los amantes de las labores.