Crewel Embroidery;

This book is designed to teach the beginner the fundamentals of crewel embroidery and also to enable the more advanced worker to improve her or his techniques and enlarge the repertoire of stitches that can be sewn. It tells how to choose patterns, materials and wool, mark designs on the fabric, mount the work on a frame, stretch and block the finished piece. Detailed instructions for 64 different stitches are illustrated with diagrams, which give the book permanent value as a reference work. Crewel embroidery, which dates back to 16th century England, is enjoying a wide-spread revival today. Its fascination lies not only in the shading and contrasting of colors but also in the wide choice of stitches which can be combined in many different ways to secure an almost infinite number of textures and effects. It is this variety which makes crewel embroidery so much more interesting than needlepoint. Many fine examples of English and early American crewel work are still in existence which can inspire contemporary embroiderers to create equally beautiful designs for curtains, chair seats, cushions, bags, sweaters and other articles. Some of these old pieces are illustrated in this book, along with many modern ones in different styles.