INTRODUCTION
The Basic Stitches 15
SATIN STITCH 16
Pulled satin stitch
and damask stitch 17
Variations 36
Diagonal pulled satin stitch 54
FOUR-SIDED STITCH 58
Straight four-sided stitch 59
Variation 66
Diagonal four-sided stitch 68
WAVE STITCH 72
Straight wave stitch 73
Specific case: chain stitch 78
Diagonal wave stitch 81
ZIGZAG STITCH 86
Straight zigzag stitch 87
Faggot stitch 90
Double faggot stitch 98
DIAGONAL DRAWN FILLING 104
or half diagonal four-sided stitch
CROSS STITCH 110
Upright cross stitch 111
Ordinary cross stitch 115
COMPOSITE FILLINGS 121
Index of fillings 141
Biography 143
Bibliography & Resources 144
Marie-Hélène Jeanneau learnt to embroider as a young child, then later in life, in the 1970s, she developed her interest in the textile arts. As she explored the world of textiles, she was increasingly drawn to embroidery and the endless possibilities it allowed in terms of the interplay of design, texture and materials. During the course of her work she came across pulled threadwork, and began to explore this technique from a contemporary angle. By the late 1980s embroidery had become her full-time pursuit. She began to create her own collections and exclusive designs for a range of items including children’s accessories and household linen. In 2008 she began to design pulled thread embroidery patterns, as well as offering courses and internships in embroidery. By seeking inspiration from multiple sources, she gave traditional techniques a modern twist, creating fresh, new designs to embellish everyday objects. Sadly, Marie-Hélène died in 2018, just before the publication of the original French edition.
Create beautiful edgings for table linen, or simple yet intricate
designs for cushion covers, lampshades, or purses. There are
inspiring photos, clear instructions, stitch diagrams and charts
for over 140 designs. This book is invaluable for anyone interested
in exquisite openwork embroidery.
*Machine Knitting Monthly*
The charts are clearly drawn, and the images are very well
photographed, something which is not easy to do with whitework!
Suggestions for the best way to work the stitches are carefully
explained. At the start of each chapter is a photograph of an item
that uses the stitches in the following sections. These, too, are
beautifully photographed, so well that it is almost possible to
work out the details of the pattern from the photograph
alone. The effects produced by the various stitches are
lovely, and the ways of adapting them by altering the thread, or by
the spacing of stitching, and by working the stitch in different
directions, are mind-blowing in their variety. The cover boasts
over 140 different stitches, but when you take account of the
variations of thread and spacing, there are in fact many
more. [...] As a reference book of ideas to use in your
own designs, this book is a treasure for anyone interested in
pulled thread work. It is certainly very welcome addition to my
bookshelves - except that it will probably not be on the actual
shelves much - it is far too useful to remain in its allotted place
for long!
*Book Threads Magazine*
This is a great book. I love the cover of the book; the
design is exquisite makes me eager to want to open the book. The
cover insert and products are very appealing visually and I love
the different stitch techniques illustrated on this page. The
introduction explains pulled thread embroidery in simple terms and
the origins of the craft was fascinating to read. It’s user
friendly for crafters of all abilities and the explanation of
materials useful and clearly explained. The Staircase stitch is
stunning and I love the cross stitch design.
*Customer Review*
Traditionalists will love learning how to work ‘counted thread
openwork’ or ‘drawn fabric embroidery’. A whitework technique which
complements cross stitching, you can also use it on its own. There
are over 240 designs included, such as delicate edgings for table
linen, or beautiful designs for cushion covers, lampshades or
purses. There are also clear instructions, stitch diagrams, charts
and photos for every project.
*Cross Stitcher*
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