A Z of Whitework: Book One Surface Embroidery

A-Z of Whitework - Book One Surface Embroidery
By Various Authors
Published by Country Bumpkin Publications
ISBN: 0 9757094 96
Price: £14.99
Reviewed by Kath Danswan

This is a brilliant little book for anyone interested in Whitework or traditional hand stitchery. The cover claims that the books shows ‘Everything you ever wanted to know about Whitework’ and it certainly lives up to that claim. Each chapter details one aspect of Whitework starting with A for Ayrshire Embroidery and finishing with T for Tambour Work.

After an introduction to each chapter, including the history of the particular style of Whitework, the book lists the various stitches used with over 1000 clear easy-to-follow step-by-step photography of each one.

Even my daughter, whose only claim to stitching is sewing patches on her jeans, found that she could follow the photographic instructions. It is a worthwhile addition to anyone’s library and I look forward to seeing Book two.