White Work: Techniques and 188 Designs (Dover Needlework Series) (Paperback)

by Carter Houck (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Thorough guide to elegant form of contemporary embroidery, with illustrated instructions and patterns for 20 stitches, plus 188 embroidery patterns keyed to those stitches. Magnificent florals, repeats and borders, two complete sets of alphabets and more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (January 1, 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486236951
• ISBN-13: 978-0486236957
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,516 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #27 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Embroidery
  #57 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlework
  #95 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Textile Arts

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I have really enjoyed owning this book, June 23, 1999

By A Customer

The introduction consist of the history of white work, materials for white work, and transferring the designs. Intructions for white work stitches includes stem, chain, lazy daisy, running, backstitch, straight stitch, seeding, satin, padded satin, long-and-short, french knots, overcast, buttonhole, feather, herringbone, chevon, star, shadow, couching, and lattice filling. The designs are beautiful. The only thing I find wrong is it's paperback. With use though the years it will fall apart. Get your stapler ready!

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A lovely introduction., April 7, 2001

By	"duchess9802" (Beverly, MA United States) - See all my reviews

I had never tried whitework before buying this book, but I am glad to own it. It contains a good introduction to the stitches involved in whitework. I found I couldn't put it away - I actually wound up embroidering quilt squares so that I could try as many of the stitches as possible. It helps to have a previous background in sewing and embroidery, but this is a good way to branch out.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great designs!, January 12, 2007

By	HoneyBeesBliss "Melissa" - See all my reviews

I love this book for the designs! If you are looking for White Work eye candy you will be disappointed it has no photographs of white work other than the front cover. This is a simple book and if you look at the price it reflects that as well. Still it is a wonderful book just for the designs alone, which can be used with any embroidery not just in white work. I enjoyed reading about the history and how stitches are used for white work. The only thing that really makes white work any different is that it is done in all white thread on white fabric and when you work in 1 color you need to use different stitches to create texture and make your embroidery interesting.
The author suggests stitches for use with the patterns but they are only recommendations. I do wish there was a few examples to "see" what has been explained but that is not needed in order to use the patterns or to try creating your own white work.
Overall for the price this book is worth it for the patterns and a little bit of white work history and ideas.