OK, OK, I admit that whitework isn’t cross stitch. But I like to get inspired by different kinds of needlework (and I do different kinds of needlework) and this book just happened to cross my desk recently and I wanted to share it with you.
Whitework with Colour
(yes, British spelling) by Trish Burr is a lovely book that explores everything you need to know about stitching particular kind of embroidery, traditionally worked on white linen or cotton using white thread. These designs add some color to enhance the patterns or highlight details.
A lengthy discussion of materials, preparation, use of color and stitching tutorials opens the book, so even if you don’t have experience with this kind of needlework you can give it a go with the information in this book.
Projects are arranged by skill level, from beginner projects to more intermediate and finally those for stitchers with more experience. That’s nice because you can start where you are and keep working through this book for years to come.
The patterns are very detailed, with a full-color picture of the finished design, a tracing outline to enlarge, print out and use on your fabric, a stitch diagram and step by step instructions on which stitches to use where, with close up pictures of some of the steps included.
This book really contains everything you need to know to get started doing whitework with color, and offers a great collections of mostly nature-inspired motifs to get you started.
About the book: 240 pages, hardcover, 17 patterns. Published March 7, 2017, by Sally Milner, an imprint of Carlton Books, retail price $34.95.
