English Countryside Embroidery: A Treasury of Over 50 Exclusive Needlepoint Designs by Stafford Whiteaker lands on the |> SALE <| shelves in my shop.
Bracken Books, 1988, Hardback in dust wrapper.
Jacket illustration: Kittens by Percy Tarrant (1881-1930). Illustrated by way of: Colour Drawings; Patterns;
From the cover: Following the success of his highly acclaimed English Garden Embroidery, Stafford Whiteaker has now gone further afield in his search for fresh inspiration for his original needlepoint designs.
He has found it in the English countryside that idyllic place of all our dreams. Old-fashioned flowers in the traditional cottage garden like pretty pinks, fat cabbage roses and tiny violas were the first to catch his attention. Beyond the garden gate he sought out the wild flowers, fragrant honeysuckle, dog roses and red berries of the country lanes. The rich harvests of farm fields also inspired new ideas for needlepoint patterns.
The accompanying text, with its tales, songs and poems of country life, has a delightful informality that emphasizes the role of needlepoint as a source of relaxing pleasure and practical entertainment. Stafford Whiteaker underlines this message of enjoyment by basing some designs on the pursuits of a Victorian afternoon in the country. Here are found embroidery repeats of Victorian jewels, coloured garlands, fish swimming in a garden pond, fancy patterns of marbled papers and the mythical creatures of heraldry.
Alongside this treasury of patterns, the practicalities of needlepoint are not forgotten. There is a chart of essential stitches, with two new exciting ones to try, and a section about canvas with advice on colour and working with yarns. Background colours and patterns are also discussed with 20 hints to make your needlepoint work more enjoyable. A variety of stitched-up projects from cushions and firescreens to chairs and footstools are shown in full-colour photographs.
Like its predecessor, English Countryside Embroidery is beautifully illustrated with paintings of scenes that recall the charm of the countryside in Queen Victorias day. They accompany an introduction in which the author talks about the English countryside of yesterday and today that rural place just outside the garden gate where wild flowers bloom, cottages nest among honeysuckle and roses, and gentle peace is to be found away from the rush of city life. For centuries this countryside has inspired the themes and motifs of the English embroiderer and Stafford Whiteaker adds a contemporary voice to that tradition for another generation of needleworkers.
Very Good in Very Good Dust Wrapper.
Orange boards with Black titling to the Spine. 128 pages. 11″ x 8″.
Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!
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