Books and Links
Book Reviews
= Must Have
= Good, Worth Getting
= Ok, especially if interested in the subject
= Minor potential – better ones out there
= Barely worth the cost
= Don’t Bother
The links below will take you directly to my book review for each book listed. They do not take you to any outside website. Within each book review, I often will direct you to where you can find the book online for purchase.
I use affiliate programs when linking to books on Amazon and other books sources. The small percentage that I receive from your purchase helps to cover the expenses of running Needle ‘n Thread.
 17th C. Women’s Dress PatternsRead Full Review |
 18th Century Embroidery Techniques Read Full Review |
 19th Century Embroidery TechniquesRead Full Review |
 20th Century Embroidery TechniquesRead Full Review |
 A-Z Embroidery Stitches 2Read Full Review |
 A-Z Embroidered MotifsRead Full Review |
 A-Z of GoldworkRead Full Review |
 A-Z of StumpworkRead Full Review |
 A-Z of WhiteworkRead Full Review |
 Abécédaires de Tradition Read Full Review |
 All that GlittersRead Full Review |
 Anchor Manual of NeedleworkRead Full Review |
 Art of Chinese EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Art of Embroidered ButterfliesRead Full Review |
 The Art of EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 The Art of Teaching CraftRead Full Review |
 Arts & Crafts EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Autopsy of Montenegrin StitchRead Full Review |
 Basic Principles of Schwalm WhiteworkRead Full Review |
 Basics of Embroidery on PaperRead Full Review |
 Bead Embroidery MotifsRead Full Review |
 Bead Embroidery Stitch SamplesRead Full Review |
 Beginner’s Guide to Crewel EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 The Beginner’s Guide to GoldworkRead Full Review |
 Beginner’s Guide to Silk ShadingRead Full Review |
 BiblioCraftRead Full Review |
 Blissful BeginningsRead Full Review |
 Broderie et Dentelle sur Carton PerforéRead Full Review |
 Broderies Colbert (Colbert Embroidery)Read Full Review |
 Bunnies in My GardenRead Full Review |
 Colour Confidence in EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Crazy QuiltingRead Full Review |
 Crewel and Surface Embroidery: Inspirational Floral DesignsRead Full Review |
 Crewel Embroidery: A Practical GuideRead Full Review |
 Crewel Embroidery in EnglandRead Full Review |
 Crewel TwistsRead Full Review |
 Designing Celtic OrnamentRead Full Review |
 Dictionary of Embroidery StitchesRead Full Review |
 Early American Crewel DesignsRead Full Review |
 Early Kolacsa EmbroideriesRead Full Review |
 Early Schwalm WhiteworkRead Full Review |
 Elizabethan StitchesRead Full Review |
 Embroidered Flora & Fauna: 3D Textured EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Embroidered Flowers for ElizabethRead Full Review |
 Embroidered PortraitsRead Full Review |
 The Embroiderer’s HandbookRead Full Review |
 Embroideries from an English GardenRead Full Review |
 Embroidery BasicsRead Full Review |
 Embroidery on PaperRead Full Review |
 Embroidery on Paper for Every OccasionRead Full Review |
 Embroidery Stitch BibleRead Full Review |
 Embroidery Techniques and PatternsRead Full Review |
 English Crewel Designs: 16th – 18th CenturiesRead Full Review |
 Fancy HemsRead Full Review |
 Fleurs en TransfertsRead Full Review |
 Fashioning FashionRead Full Review |
 Floral Interpretations for Silk Ribbon EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Filet Lace – Introduction to the Linen StitchRead Full Review |
 Goldwork Embroidery: Designs & ProjectsRead Full Review |
 Home Sweet HomeRead Full Review |
 In Fine StyleRead Full Review |
 Interwoven GlobeRead Full Review |
 Iron-On TransfersRead Full Review |
 Magazines: Italian Cut Work and Filet LaceRead Full Review |
 Lefkara Lace EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Left-Handed Embroiderer’s CompanionRead Full Review |
 Letters & Monograms House of MalbrancheRead Full Review |
 Long and Short Stitch EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Mains et MerveillesRead Full Review |
 Making Hand-Sewn BoxesRead Full Review |
 Mastering the Art of EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Metal Thread EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 The Midas TouchRead Full Review |
 More William Morris AppliquésRead Full Review |
 Needlepainting: Fresh Ideas for BeginnersRead Full Review |
 The New CrewelRead Full Review |
 Openwork Pattern SamplersRead Full Review |
 Painting with a NeedleRead Full Review |
 Pocketful of PosiesRead Full Review |
 Portuguese WhiteworkRead Full Review |
 Redwork CircusRead Full Review |
 Redoute’s Finest Flowers in EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Ribbon Embroidery and StumpworkRead Full Review |
 Ricamo EstenseRead Full Review |
 Right Handed Embroiderer’s CompanionRead Full Review |
 RosesRead Full Review |
 Royal School of Needlework Embroidery TechniquesRead Full Review |
 RSN Bead EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 RSN Blackwork Stitch GuideRead Full Review |
 RSN Canvaswork Stitch GuideRead Full Review |
 RSN Crewelwork Stitch GuideRead Full Review |
 RSN Goldwork Stitch GuideRead Full Review |
 RSN Handbook of EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 RSN Silk Shading Stitch GuideRead Full Review |
 RSN Stumpwork Stitch GuideRead Full Review |
 RSN Whitework Stitch GuideRead Full Review |
 Russian EleganceRead Full Review |
 Schwalm Whitework EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Secret Garden Coloring BookRead Full Review |
 Stitch SamplerRead Full Review |
 Stumpwork Butterflies & MothsRead Full Review |
 Stumpwork EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Stumpwork FlowersRead Full Review |
 Stumpwork: Medieval FloraRead Full Review |
 Stumpwork TilesRead Full Review |
 Tambour WorkRead Full Review |
 Temari TechniquesRead Full Review |
 Threads of LightRead Full Review |
 Treasures of Ancient YaroslavlRead Full Review |
 Twixt Art and Nature: English EmbroideryRead Full Review |
 Wessex StitcheryRead Full Review |
 White WorkRead Full Review |
 Women’s WorkRead Full Review |
 The Wool Embroidery CollectionRead Full Review |
 Why Not Embroider BoxesRead Full Review |
Free Books Online
- Blackwork Filling Collections
from String-Or-Nothing
Description: A collection of free downloadable (PDF) blackwork filling patterns. There are nearly 220 filling patterns here, in a collection of 4 PDFs. - The Encyclopedia of Needlework
by Therese Dillmont
Made available by Project Gutenberg
Description: A comprehensive book on needlework, covering a whole range of techniques. If it’s needlework, you’re bound to find a reference for it in this book! - Jacobean Embroidery
by Ada Wentworth Fitzwilliam and A.F. Morris Hands
Made available by Project Gutenberg
Description: This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in crewel work, needlepainting, or, of course, Jacobean embroidery. - Beeton’s Book of Needlework
by Isabella Beeton
Made available by Project Gutenberg (HTML format) and Antique Pattern Library in PDF form (links below)
Description: This is a comprehensive needlework book. It contains instructions and pictures of different techniques, as well as patterns and some very nice monogram alphabets. Available in three files: Part I, Part II, Part III. - Art in Needlework (PDF – 24MB)
by Lewis F. Day
Available on American Libraries Internet Archive
Description: A comprehensive needlework resource, this one is made up of a good bit of text, but has some nice illustrations in it and some very good tips for the embroiderer. - The Art of Modern Lacemaking
Published by Butterick in 1891
Made available by Project Gutenberg
Description: Browsing through this book, you’ll find some great patterns and some techniques that can be used in surface embroidery as well as lace making. - Assisi Embroidery
by Therese Dillmont
Made available by the On-Line Digital Archive of Documents on Weaving and Related Topics (hereafter, Digital Archive)
Format: Two PDF Files: Part One & Part Two
Description: Will interest anyone who likes counted thread techniques and historical embroidery. The first part of the work is where you’ll find the technique explained, and the second part is devoted primarily to color plates. - Church Embroidery and Church Vestments
by Lucy Vaughn Hayden Mackrille
Made available by Digital Archives
Description: This is an excellent resource for anyone interested in ecclesiastical. The separate links to the PDF files are listed in my brief blurb on the book. - Embroidery and Tapestry Weaving
by Mrs. Archibald Christie
Made available by Project Gutenberg
This is a great book covering embroidery techniques, with plenty of pattern and design ideas. Fun to browse through!
Embroidery Supplies
- Lacis – this is probably the most thorough supply house for any kind of needlework. Lacis is located in California. They have a great online catalog. Their shipping rates are reasonable, but expect to wait a bit if you order with standard shipping, especially if you live in the Midwest or on the East Coast.
- Needle In A Haystack – Located in Alameda, California, this store has a great online catalog with a wonderful selection of everything, especially threads. Excellent service, but on some items, a little more expensive than elsewhere.
- Nordic Needle – a thorough source, especially for Hardanger and Counted Cross Stitch. They also carry heaps of accessories. Service is always excellent.
- Berlin Embroidery Designs – Here you’ll find embroidery designs, kits, instructions, and supplies for all kinds of techniques, all put together by Tanja Berlin. She’s in Canada, so whatever we in the US might save on the exchange rate, we pay in shipping. But it’s worth it!
- Alison Cole Embroidery – Alison Cole is another Australian embroiderer. She specializes in goldwork and stumpwork. Her site includes full kits that you can order (for US customers, remember to convert currency, and don’t forget postage rates!).
- Japanese Embroidery Center – This is a great resource for flat silk and for goldwork supplies (imitation and real Jap for couching and embroidery). The JEC is a non-profit educational organization. Their shipping is reasonable and pretty quick, and the service is excellent.