Stumpwork Medieval Flora (Milner Craft Series) [Hardcover]

Jane Nicholas (Author)

Book Description

Series: Milner Craft Series | Publication Date: August 4, 2009

Examples of medieval stumpwork—the art of embroidering using raised, 3-D embellishments—can be found in museums and galleries throughout Europe. Considered among the most intricate and lovely of embroidery styles, it requires a delicate touch. Now the secrets of stumpwork are revealed through eight beautiful floral projects, all inspired by the 16th-century illuminated Book of Hours created by Jean Bourdichon for Anne of Brittany. The embroideries include “Corncockle and Dragonfly,” “Snowdrop and Cranefly,” and the lovely “Venus’ Looking Glass and Bumble-bee.” In addition to instructions for every technique, this fully illustrated book also provides tracing patterns and a comprehensive stitch glossary. 

 

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

Illuminated manuscripts of the medieval era provide the inspiration for Jane Nicholas's glorious stumpwork. There are eight botanical specimens, which display the buds, blossoms and seed cases of the flower; the embroideries, like the illustrations that inspired them, offer wonderful surprises, and close inspection reveals an assortment of beetles and creepy-crawlies nestling in the foliage. Another three embroideries, exquisitely stitched panels, are accompanied by beautiful illustrations showing the illuminated pages that inspired them. The techniques used to create the embroideries are clearly explained and, with the necessary skills at your fingertips, the elements in the book could be combined in numerous ways to create your own designs.-Stitch

About the Author

Jane Nicholas has spent over 20 years in the field of embroidery, specializing in stumpwork and goldwork. The author of five books and numerous magazine articles, she teaches classes for Embroiderers’ Guilds and businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Sally Milner Publishing (August 4, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1863513965
• ISBN-13: 978-1863513968
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #338,378 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jane Nicholas has been researching and working in the field of embroidery for over twenty years. Specialising in stumpwork and goldwork embroidery, she has written seven books and has contributed widely to journals and magazines on the subject. In 1999 Jane was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to further her studies in stumpwork in the United Kingdom and in 2005 was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her services to hand embroidery as an artist, teacher, and author.

She teaches widely for Embroiderers' Guilds and businesses in Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America, and continues to research and develop new techniques - particularly in stumpwork. She is recognised internationally as being at the forefront of modern designers interpreting this form of raised embroidery. Jane's interests include old textiles, oriental porcelain, insect specimens, and film, music and books. Jane and her husband John live in Bowral, NSW and have three grown-up children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What fun, October 22, 2009

By 

Nancy J. Brown (Bloomfield, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stumpwork Medieval Flora (Milner Craft Series) (Hardcover)

As always her books have wonderful creations and easy to follow directions.This could turn out to be her best book

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Creative, December 16, 2011

By 

Susan Sturgeon Roberts "Susan Sturgeon Roberts" (Oregon) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stumpwork Medieval Flora (Milner Craft Series) (Hardcover)

In first looking at this book, I was amazed at the lovely photographs of flowers vs. stumpwork. Jane's creative needle depicts each flower in its natural state. You would think the stumpwork came from a botanical book. Jane's projects will amaze you with her use of wire, beads, silks and leathers.

Look at the contents. You will see the usual introduction but then the fun begins. Part 1 is a series of five projects which include flowers, dragonflies, ladybugs, butterflies, caterpillars, bees and grasshoppers. Each project is explained step by step with clear illustrations. All the drawings are actual size which is a plus!

Part 2 has three projects which she titles "Illuminated Panels." Again, the projects will include flowers and insects but each panel is encased in a ribbon frame which is cleverly embellished with gold twist and beads.

Part 3 consist of "Techniques, Equipment and Stitch Glossary. This is a must for any book of this kind. Jane explains how to mount your foundation fabric, what fabrics to use and how to fuse them together. Use of wire such as sizes, coloring and attaching is clearly explained. What would a book like this be without a good explanation of leather, padding and shaping? Again, clear information is given. Lastly, a stitch guide is provided with a good generalization of each stitch used in her projects.

All in all, I would fully recommend Jane's "Stumpwork Medieval Flora" for those with a beginning understanding of stumpwork. You may think the book may be too complex for the novice. Follow her directions and you can also create lovely stumpwork.