Customer Reviews

Polish Folk Embroidery

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Initially, I also wanted to see photos of the garments, and then I realized that the illustrations are so detailed that they really function as charts - any stitcher or sewer with intermediate skills should be able to replicate most of the designs in the book. I'd also defend the use of illustrations because I'm sure that not all of the original garments are in perfect condition, and by using illustrations the author has been able to fill in missing stitches and damaged sections, and thus recreate the garment in their intended original state. The colors and designs are glorious, there are hundreds of designs, and there is real poignancy when you read the text and discover that the combined effects of World War II, the Cold War, and Communism have pretty much removed all traces of this type of clothing and embellishment. This very fine book is the definitive work in its subject matter.

Polish Folk Embroidery is the collected life-work of Jadwiga Turska. She spent that life seeking out the most traditional forms of regional Polish embroidery and documenting them. There are no photographs in this text. It consists entirely of the most exquisite painted vignettes,each showing far more detail, in both the work and construction, than any photograph would have allowed. You can count every stitch, sequin, bead and thread. Each plate is labled with just enough information to identify the source, the materials and the techniques. This is not a "how-to" book or a source for "modern" polish costume information, but it is a fabulous wealth of historical inspiration. It makes my fingers itch to stitch and my heart rejoice. It's a wonderful treasure to own.

This is a very inspiring book. It is not a how-to book, although I admit, being a craftsperson, I hoped a couple of patterns or diagrams would have been nestled in the pages. However, as the book is rather large and has so many pictures, including different views of articles featured, I couldn't be disappointed. The photography itself is wonderful, and the things in the book are pure works of art. Some pieces are contemporary, most antique. I kept thinking of those women - and men - that worked by candles or lanterns, straining their eyes to create such perfection. Hopefully the hours they spent took them out of their hard lives for awhile, even though they must have ached from their daily routines. What the book has done for me is to whet my appetite. I know the book's author has written how-to books. Now I need to find one. If a book causes me to embark on a quest, in search of more knowledge, it is a success.

Polish Folk Embroidery is the collected life-work of Jadwiga Turska. She spent that life seeking out the most traditional forms of regional Polish embroidery and documenting them. There are no photographs in this text. It consists entirely of the most exquisite painted vignettes,each showing far more detail, in both the work and construction, than any photograph would have allowed. You can count every stitch, sequin, bead and thread. Each plate is labled with just enough information to identify the source, the materials and the techniques. This is not a "how-to" book or a source for "modern" polish costume information, but it is a fabulous wealth of historical inspiration. It makes my fingers itch to stitch and my heart rejoice. It's a wonderful treasure to own.

I have to admit I was a little disappointed in this book. For the cost $... I thought I would be getting a book filled with full color photographs of the embroidery and a great deal of text. But there's little text and every single picture is done in artwork. This would be very nice, except the artwork is not photo-realistic so I feel I'm missing out on some of the fine details of the embroidery. It is a nice book and the author did a great deal of research and artwork...but still. It was a little disappointing.