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Thanks for visiting with us. Have fun looking around and feel free to leave us comments.
I consider December the open door month. At the end we get to walk through the door not only January but a new year - at least in theory. I celebrate two new years. One on December 31st of each year and what I call the "real new year" on the first day of spring. I could never figure out why a new year would start in winter. Spring with its new life appeals to me for starting anew. A number of ancient cultures agreed and made spring their new beginning.
I hope you will celebrate two new years with me. Meanwhile I wish yuo a Happy "January" New Year and may 2014 bring you joy.
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ANY TITLE YOU ORDER - FROM THIS BLOG, OR EARLIER ONES OR ANY TITLE YOU NEED.
LACE: THE DELICATE ART BELOVED
"The beauty of lace is an intangible thing. The laces have a
a strange quality, hard to catch and hold. But once this
quality is perceived and understood it enlarges and enriches
the mind and life of the one who has come to love them."
- Marion Pwwys - Lace and Lace-making -
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Whether hand-made or machine made, lace will always be part of fashion. I doubt there is a woman alive that hasn't had some article of clothing decorated with lace. I remember in my senior year of high school I bought a white lace dress for a special outing. I spent all by babysitting I was seventeen but felt so grown-up wearing that gorgeous dress. Many years later I can't remember what happened to that dress but I am checking through old family pictures to see if any photos of me wearing it come to light. I also have hankie trimmed in lace given to me by a little boy I tutored when I was twenty years old. Whenever I see pictures of lace I think of those two items. What items of lace are in your past? What items of lace do you still tuck away in a drawer or proudly displayed. I'd love to hear your stories.
Introducing Heather Toomer's New Lace Book
Jeri Ames is an expert on lace and I always love to have her imput on a new lace book. She kindly gave me permission to include her review of Heather Toomer's new "White-embroidered costume accessories -1790s to 1840s."
"White-embroidered costume accessories - the 1790s to 1840s".
By Heather Toomer, drawings and patterns by Elspeth Reed.
Published by Heather Toomer Antique Lace, 2013, paper cover.
198 pages, cover price in USA $44.95, ISBN 978-0-9542730-3-3.
Book has limited distribution.
To put the book in context, Jane Austen (author) lived from 1775-1817. Princess Victoria was
born in 1819 and became Queen in 1837. Both had associations with lace.
This is a sequel to "Embroidered with White - the 18th century fashion for Dresden lace and other whiteworked accessories", 2008 (Arachne review Aug, 27, 2009). As before this is original research resulting in detailed text. Drawings and text by Elapeth Reed are admirable.
Heather's photographs are presented for each item discussed. Color fashion .are lovely, and they prove depicting fashions on very slender mannequins is not a new phenomenon!
Collectors will find identification of unusually-shaped accessories invaluable. Costumers receive guidance for making accurate recreations. Historians acquire expanded knowledge. Then, there are lovers of all things LACE. They may require more detailed information about lace made during this period for this purpose, and may need to see exactly how the laces were attached to accessories.
Both right and wrong sides of white embroidery are sometimes shown, which helps determine how a stitch was made. Embroidery and lace travel together through the pages.
Austen could identify a buffon, pelerine, canezou, schall, or pelisse. Can you? Have you seen a shirt handkerchief? These "handkerchiefs" had a quiet different purpose and shape then pocket handkerchiefs; dress kerchiefs had a different purpose and shape than today's head covering. The distinction are interesting.
Have you seen a muslin accessory with a button-holed edge to which a bobbin-made picot edging has been attached? Effective. Delicate. Several are shown in photographs.
Much is to be said for design inspiration. The little fancy apron pockets on page 60 reminded this reviewer of patterns and cuffs, and some collars, illustrated by Elspeth Reed, Then came the thought that this would be an interesting subject for a Lace Guild contests - pockets inspired by historic cuff and collar shapes.!
Many designs are suitable for lace or muslin embroidery (or both) on today's special occasions.
For more information about muslin, see reviewers Jan. 19, 2013 review of "Muslin"http://www.mail-archive .com/lace@arachne.com/index.html.
Jeri Ames in Maine USA
Lace and Embroidery Resource Center
Thank you Jeri for a great review.
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This is the companion book to Jerry Ames review:Enbroidered with white: the 18th century fashions for Dresden lace and other whiteworked accessories. Along with wonderful information on the lace of this time period she includes 20 patterns. The photographs show a wide range of of original items, with details of the embroidery stitches, portraits and costume illustrations. Tips are given on washing, conservation and where original items may be studied in public collections.. $44.95
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Something Old ............
CLASSIC NEEDLEWORK BOOKS
Thousands of books are published every year but many go by the wayside within a year or two. But there are some books that become "classics". These books stay available for many years. Needlework books are no different. I keep those books available for needlework lovers as well as stocking harder-to-find titles, foreign titles, and self-published titles. Below I've listed a number of the "classics" that remain forever popular. Call us at: 1-800-429-5075 if you can't locate a title you are anxious to get. CODE: RKBD13 On to some classics.
CLASSIC NEEDLEPOINT BOOKS
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Blackburn, The Reverend Robert E. - Father B's 21st Century Book of Stitches - This is the sixth edition of his 1982 stitch book This 6'x8" spiral-bound book with its lovely hunter green cover and gold lettering invites you to open it. It's 350 pages of lovely stitches Father B. included something about the history of each stitch, what it can be used for and graphing of the stitch. Some of the stitches might be familiar but many stitches are original and not available elsewhere, while some are very old stitches that needlepointers have forgotten. It's time to get newly acquainted with both the new and the forgotten. $29.95
Baird, Carolyn Hedge - Merry Needlepoint - This needlework teacher, designer, and author presented us this fun book in 2001 and here it still is. She calls it a fun needlepoint scrapbook thus the merry in the title. She wants us to catch her passion and joy of needlepoint. She covers lots of great stitches( with great graphing, and invites us to learn to include silk ribbon embroidery in our canvases, lettering and more. All I can say is have fun! $39.95
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Clarke, Gary, Embroidery Illusions - They are called illusions because these easy, elegant designs look intricate- as if they took a lot of time and talent to create. The illustrated instructions cover various needlework styles, including satin stitch, couching, beading, cross-stitch, stumpwork, and applque. Choose from nurery rhymes, landscapes, still life, sea creatures, and exotic scenes. Special tips show howto mix projects to make your own originals. $24.95
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Willett, Meredith Barnhill & Beth Robertson - Knots Fur & Turkeywork - First published in 2005 it was reprinted a few years ago to the joy of needleworkers. As the title clearly states, these three types of needlework are clearly examined with wonderful color close-ups and clear black and white graphed diagrams to learn these techniques in short order. $34.95
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Brenda Hart is a fabulous teacher, designer, and needlework author. She has a great series of needlepoint books that came out in 1994 and are still constantly requested. If fact, I just received a new shipment of them..
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Favorite Stitches Book II - You've probably guessed by now her first book was so well received that a second was called for. Many of the stitch patterns can be used for background stitching. She suggests turning the stitch patterns upside down, or sideways, or reverse the directions, stitch them larger or smaller or simply: Have fun! $39.95
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Stitches for the Millennium - As Jo Ippolito Christensen writes in the forward, "So as the old saying goes, there is really nothing new under the sun. BUT Brenda has recycled these old geometric patterns into interesting needlepoint stitches . As I used Brenda's two volumes, I became fascinated anew at how minor changes in stitch length and stitch repetition can create new stitches. Most of the stitches are simple but not simplistic. The best things usually are that way." What better praise can a stitch designer get! $39.95
Jean Hilton books and patterns are true classics and constantly requested Unfortunately, Jean passed on a number of years ago but she was so ahead of her time that her beautiful needlework goes on as fresh and original as it always was. I've included only a few of her book here but we do carry all titles and patterns. One of her books, Unique Bargello, is out-of-print but there is hope it will eventually come back in print.
Needlepoint Stitches - No matter how many great stitch books are published, this book is still at the top of requests. Jean's creative mind took her and her students "errors" and charted them into winning stitch variations. Some of these stitches are fairly complex so she suggests you practice on a doodle canvas first. Her diagrams are wonderful and are numbered for easier following. $29.95
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Stimulating Stitches - This was a follow-up to Needlepoint Stitches, and again, a much requested book. In this book, Jean takes you into her "what if" philosophy" and gives an illustration of this "what if" way of thinking as shown in the Double Fan Doubled motif. $29.95
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I wish I could put all her work here But space is limited. The others are available with a call and all titles will eventually be available on our website: RuthKernBooks.com Stay tuned.
P.S. There will be more "classic books" in future blogs.
DON'T FORGET to find the secret code hidden somewhere in this blog and get 20% off the regular retail price on any titles you order.
CLASSIC EMBROIDERY BOOKS
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Burr, Trish - Long and Short Stitch Embroidery: A Collection of Flowers - I am an ardent fan not only of her books but her designs. In this book Trish selected beautiful flowers and has interpreted them in her own unique style. She brings each flower to exquisite life by the use of carefully selected threads and her intuitive use of carefully selected threads and simple stitches. She includes clear step-by-step instructions and full size templates and lots of great information about technique. $19.95
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Mitrofanis, Effie - Casalguidi Style: Linen Embroidery - First printed in 1996, this wonderful book by a master stitcher has passed the tests of time. Effie gives us an historical background of the style as well as examples of traditional designs and motifs. All the techniques and materials, both traditional and contemporary, required to embroidery and make a treasure trove of delightful articles are described step-by-step along with numerous diagrams and over eighty photos in full color. $34.95
BLACKWORK CLASSICS
For all of you who love blackwork embroidery I have three classic titles to add here:
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Perin, Laura J. - Blackwork Patterns - Although printed in 2005, I still have many requests for it. Why? This is a great reference collection of over 600 stitchery patterns showing one-color, two-color, and three-color variations, intended specifically for blackwork designs. She divided these patterns into three categories: Blackwork Patterns - Small; Blackwork Patterns - Medium; and Blackwork Patterns -Large. This book differs from other blackwork pattern books because it takes each pattern and expands its design by adding other thread colors, metallic threads and embellishments such as beads. The graphs are clear and easy to follow so have fun. Perhaps you'll end up creating some of your own patterns. $40.00
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Soular, Marion - Why Call it Blackwork? This 35 page classic in blackwork embroidery is like taking a course without leaving your stitching area. Marion is a beloved teacher, designer, and author and this book is sought after by students of embroidery all the time. Great graphs and information. $17.00
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Zimmerman, Jane D. - The Art of English Blackwork - Jane has taught this for years and this book has been available since 1996. She loves history (me too!) and gives a wonderful account of this embroidery before she acquaints you with the stitches and designs. This large, spiral-bound 187 page book is chocked full of patterns. $39.95
HARDANGER CLASSICS
I've never done hardanger but I do admire it. When I think of hardanger two classic books in hardanger come immediately to mind:
Altherr, Ilse - Hardanger Embroidery: Traditional and Contemporary - This well-known embroidery teacher, designer and author includes both beginning and advanced information on this lovely embroidery. I love the very large graphs that are so easy to read and follow and Ilse doesn't skimp on the information and directions either. No wonder I get orders for her book from around the world. $29.95
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Scoular, Marion - Hardanger - Marion has published a needlework book that takes you through the art of beautiful hardanger. Only 16 pages in length, this little book has been a classic since 1994 and is always snapped up at a seminar even when she is not teaching. This is a great place to begin a new needleart. $8.50
FINISHING CLASSICS
If you are like me you don't relish the finishing part of needlework. However, we nervous Nellies have two great classics to lead us through the process:
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Higgins, Sandy - Sandy's Finishing Touches: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finishing Needlework - Available since 1991 this classic was updated and enlarged a few years ago. She starts with blocking, goes to Pillows, Other Edge Finishes, Pillow Stuffing and Closures, Christmas Finishing and all other kinds of projects and special effects. $24.95
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FOR LEFT-HANDED EMBROIDERERS
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The Left-Handed Embroiderer's Companion: A Step-by-step Stitch Dictionary - by Yvette Stanton came out in 2011 but by the number of requests I've received for this title it is already a classic.There is no other book out there, that I know of, that deals totally with left-handed stitchers. Yvette makes it easy to learn stitches whether surface stitches, needlepoint and counted thread in a simple step-by-step format that includes how they should look when finished. She nicely includes how different stitches can be used creatively in your embroidery with color, texture and different types of thread. $28.00
Something New ......
BEADING
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Cox, Shelby - Bead Embroidery: The Essential Guide - Another book in the great series from the Royal School of Needlework this time by Shelby Cox. She presents an expert guide to all aspects of bead embroidery, including information on counted thread beadwork, bead embroidery, beaded surface embroidery, and fringing. You will find stitches and techniques for every sort of needlework that involves beads. Decorative effects are explored too, making this a fantastic source book and great reference book. $21.95
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DeCoster, Marcia - Marica DeCoster's Beads in Motion: 24 Jewelry Projects that Spin, Swing, and Slide - This world famous stitcher has devised great projects that showcase dynamism and movement - from a simple drop that swings from chains to elaborate pieces with intricate components that spin around a core of beads or along a beaded base. $27.95
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Nozue, Sanoko - Japanese Beadwork with Sozue - This book is like taking a fun class with a great bead artist but instead of one project she includes 25. In her first English book she highlights her signature melding of Japanese style with modern dramatic flair. $27.95
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Sweet-McNamara, Amee K. - Soutache & Bead Embroidery - Amee introduces us to an old material in a new way, where they can practice new embroidery skills, and create gorgeous, unique pieces of jewelry. Her secret ingredient is soutache, a type of colorful cord that she winds, binds, and stitches into place. The first section teaches readers how to incorporate these techniques into beautiful soutache projects. With photos and illustrations taking the reader every step of the way. $22.99
EMBROIDERY
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Causee, Linda - Embroidery Stitch Guide - This guide contains clear instructions and step-by-step diagrams for 58 beautiful embroidery stitches for beginners or as a refresher course. It begins with a general explanation of the supplies and gives tips for stitching and finishing your projects. Each stitch is shown individually in a full-color photo accompanied by how-to illustrations. $9.99
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Shaw, Mandy - Celebrate With A Stitch - Over 20 stylish projects featuring her unique motifs for births, birthdays, weddings, Christmas and other celebrations. Features bunting and pennant designs that can be adapted to suit any occasion. Perfect for all abilities, with clear step-b7y-step instructions and stitch diagrams for both right and left-handers. $22.99
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Connelly, Sheila - Monument to the Dead - The author of the best-selling Buried in a Bog, brings us a new Museum Mystery. As president of the Pennsylvania Antiquarian Society, Nell Pratt relies on the generosity of philanthropists. But when someone starts killing benefactors, it's Nell turn to come to the aid of those being murdered. But why are these elderly benefactors being killed? She is determined to find out before anyone else becomes a victim. $7.99
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Madison, Ada - A Function of Murder - This is the fourth title in her Professor Sophie Knowles mysteries. Dr. Knowles is a math professor with a knack for creating complex puzzles that delight her students. At a math department graduation party Sophie hear heated arguments coming from the graduates about Mayor Graves and later on a walk with a date finds the mayor with a knife in his back. $7.99 The other titles in this academic mystery series are: The Square Root of Murder, The Probability of Murder, and a Function of Murder. Each 7.99.
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McKinley, Jenn - Cloche and Dagger - This is the first in a new Hat Shop Mystery Series by a New York Times bestselling author. Not only is Scarlett Parkee's love life in the loo - as her British cousin, Vivian Trement, would say - it has also gone viral. Scarlett hops a plane to lay low at her cousin's in London and perhaps join forces in her ladies hat shop. Of course nothing is as simple as it seems. Viv seems to be missing. $7.99
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There will be more mysteries in December with an introduction to a mystery author.
Until then Happy Holidays and a Great New Year!!
To Order: Call us at 1-800-429-5075 or E-Mail at rkernbooks3@gmail.com or mail us the order to: Ruth Kern Books P.O. Box 35366 Phoenix, AZ 85069.
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