Cartonnage Brodé by Sophie Delaborde and Sylvie Castellano is a book of counted cross stitch box designs. The boxes in this book are charming, and include many boxes with a stitching theme (a thread storage box, a ribbon box, a lace box, a button box, a project box, and many more). The graphs are usable by anyone who can do counted cross stitch. The box construction techniques may require that you can read French or find someone to help you with the translation - or a willingness to figure out the construction on your own.
Cartonnage Brodé (2004, 95 pages, hardcover) $31.00
Anges & Chérubins by Valérie Lejeune is a book of cherub designs. The author's previous book Répertoire des Motifs also included some cherubs (16 pages worth!), but in doing the research to find these old designs, she found far more cherub motifs than she could put in the Motifs book. Some of the additional designs have gone into this book. There are 86 motifs, all mirror-imaged (i.e. if a design is shown facing to the right, the identical design has also been graphed facing to the left, saving you a tremendous amount of work if you would otherwise have had to reverse the direction yourself). This book contains an index (in French, as all the text is in French) because the designs feature cherubs in an incredible variety. There are cherubs with birds, cherubs with butterflies, cherubs in a chariot being pulled by butterflies (how can you get more charming than that?), cherubs with birds, goats, birdcages, fruit, wishing wells - in short, an almost infinite variety of cherubs.
Anges & Chérubins (2003, 63 pages, paperback) $15.00
Bordures & Frises Fleuries by Valérie Lejeune is out of print.
Le Livre des Lettres by Valérie Lejeune is sadly now out of print.
Le Livre des Lettres d'Ici et d'Ailleurs by Valérie Lejeune is also sadly out of print.
Miniscules & Majuscules by Valérie Lejeune is one of two new small books by this French author. This one contains 29 alphabets, each in two versions: a set of capital letters and a set of small letters, that can be used in conjunction with one another. It is not strictly correct to call them upper and lower case alphabets. All of the capital letters of course are upper case alphabets. In some alphabets the small letters are in lower case, while other alphabets have both large and small letters in upper case. Although this may sound strange, in practice it works quite nicely. Each alphabet has been given a name and the name is spelled out using the capital (majuscules) and small (miniscules) letters of that alphabet, so that you can see what the effect will be of using them together. As with her other books, Ms. Lejeune has taken the utmost care to make this book easy to use. She has listed a stitch count in height for all capital letters. Because the small letters vary in height, she lists a stitch count in height for only the shortest of these letters (such as a, e, m) while the taller letters (such as h, l, j) will vary in height. Alphabets are primarily graphed in a single color, but a few are graphed in two colors. As with all her other books, the source material for this book all dates to before 1930. Another gem from this French author - what can a stitcher do but feel a wonderful connection with an author who begins her book with the quote "Pas un jour sans un point" or roughly translated by me, "Not a day without stitching."
Miniscules & Majuscules (2003, 63 pages, paperback) $17.00
Répertoire des Alphabets is at least the fourth book of charted alphabets by this author, yet every one of these books contains different material. This newest book contains 199 different alphabets, ranging in size from 4 stitches high to 60 stitches high. In addition, it contains more than 50 sets of numbers, which are often difficult to find in charted form, particularly decorative numbers. Most of the material in this book is taken from old sources, but some of them are brand-new creations.
Répertoire des Alphabets (2004, 205 pages, softcover) $44.00
Répertoire des Frises: plus de 1100 Brodures, Angles et Ornaments à Broder au Point de Croix. Valérie Lejeune has done it again and published a magnificent 205 page border book. Like her previous books, she has gone to the greatest trouble to present a book of borders, corner motifs, as well as square, rectangular, circular and oval motifs, all taken from design sources prior to 1930. In the case of the borders, she presents them in size from small to large, and has even given you the stitch count of the border height, saving you the trouble of having to count them out yourself. Not to be missed for people who are interested in samplers and those who like goemetric ornament.
Répertoire des Frises (2003, 205 pages, softcover) $44.00.
Répertoire des Motifs by Valérie Lejeune is another offering from this French author. Following on her two incredible books of alphabets (Le Livre des Lettres d'Ici et d'Ailleurs and Le Livre des Lettres) this book contains over 1200 symbols to be done in counted cross stitch (of course they would also work for counted needlepoint and other techniques that make use of a grid). Designs in the book are either one or two colors (the color choices are left up to you) and all of them come from sources dating prior to 1930. It is hard to imagine what she has left out of this book. An abundance of animals, flowers and plants, decorative motifs, crosses, crowns, musical instruments, cherubs, playing card motifs, household items, and much, much more are clearly charted. Best of all, for designs that do not face you "straight" on, she gives both a left-facing and right-facing version of the same motif. This book would be an excellent resource for those who wish to design their own samplers, but there are a myriad of other uses for the motifs in this book.
Repértoire des Motifs (2002, 224 pages, softcover) $44.00
Saisons Romantiques is now out of print and out of stock.
Les Belles Lettres d'Alexandre by Véronique Maillard continues in the vein of her previous "Sajou" and "Rouyer" books. As stated in her introduction, Alexandre & Co. was one of the three great French embroidery houses of the 19th Century (Sajou and Rouyer were the others).
Not just another cross stitch alphabet book (although it does contain a large number of decorative alphabets), this book also includes a number of graphs for allover patterns, borders and interesting motifs. Designs in this book appear to me to be classic, timeless and charming. The author intersperses graphs taken from the 19th century originals with many photographs of modern stitched models taken from the old designs, with an emphasis on practical uses - the designs are used on box tops designed to store many different items.
There may be a temptation for some people to say "not another alphabet book" because of the number of (mostly French) alphabet books currently available. But how can you have too much of a good thing? Personally I would be stockpiling all these wonderful alphabets against the possibility of an alphabet shortage in the future! Among its offerings, Les Belles Lettres d'Alexandre offers an incredible large and very ornate alphabet (approximately 100 stitches high) that is beautiful - a single stitched initial would make a wonderful gift for anyone.
Most designs in this book are stitched in a single color (or in some cases two colors) of your choice; some of the floral and decorative designs are done in multiple colors and for these graphs DMC floss colors are given. The models shown in the photographs have been stitched in silk threads from Au Ver a Soie and the silk colors used are listed. Although the book is French, there is very little text so if you don't understand French, it is not much of a problem.
Les Belles Lettres d'Alexandre (2006, 159 pages, hardcover) $49.00
Lettres Anciennes Entrelacées by Véronique Maillard is a book of graphed monogram designs. While most alphabet combinations appear in this book (for example, an A juxtaposed on a B, on a C, on a D...) the letters "I" and "W" appear to be lacking because they were lacking in the historical originals that this book draws from. This is a lovely book.
Lettres Anciennes Entrelacées (2003, 127 pages, hardcover) $44.00
Rouyer: Ses Plus Beaux Motifs et Alphabet Anciens (Rouyer's Most Beautiful Motifs and Old Alphabets) by Véronique Maillard is a book of graphs that are taken from old designs by the French firm Rouyer, founded by Alexandre Rouyer in the 19th century. Similar to the designs in her earlier book Sajou (see below), these designs in some cases come from a slightly earlier time. This book contains a varied assortment of designs taken from the old Rouyer publications. Designs include alphabets; small scenic designs; small fruit, floral and animal designs; repeating allover patterns; borders; as well as some small samplers and phrases. All of the designs in this book have the charm of a bygone era. Most designs are monochromatic, allowing you to stitch them in the color of your choice (or to put a more modern twist to them, to be stitched in an overdyed thread). A few designs with more complex colors are coded to be stitched in DMC floss. This book is currently not in stock; it has been backordered to us since September 2007. We are not sure when or if we will have it again.
Rouyer: Ses Plus Beaux Motifs et Alphabet Anciens (2005, 159 pages, hardcover) $42.00
Sajou: Passion des Alphabets Anciens by Véronique Maillard is another French alphabet book. "Sajou" was the name of a French needlework designer, Jacques Simon Sajou, as well as the name of his business that sold these designs. Designs in this book are reproductions from publications by this French design house. They are predominantly charted designs of old alphabets, with a few other design motifs and repeating patterns, as well as a very limited selection of needlepoint or canvas designs. This book will be of interest to those who like alphabets, samplers and old-fashioned motifs.
Sajou: Passion des Alphabets Anciennes (2004, 159 pages, hardcover) $47.00
La Collection de Point de Croix de Regine de Forges by Regine de Forges is another one of those wonderful French cross stitch books. Although the text is French, the majority of this book consists of graphed designs, including several alphabets, Berlin-type needlepoint charts, and other vintage charts from the 19th and early 20th century. No thread or color choices are suggested for many of the designs in this hardcover book so you will need to make your own thread selections (this should not be terribly difficult). Designs that are more complex do have suggested colors listed at the end of the book
La Collection de Point de Croix de Regine de Forges (2006, 189 pages, hardcover) $45.00
Petits Messages au Point de Croix de Anne Van Damme translated into English means little sayings in cross stitch by Anne Van Damme. The little sayings are mostly in French (naturally) and include thank you, happy birthday, thinking of you, happiness is having a daughter like you..., welcome baby and more. Designs are all beautifully presented with interesting motifs and borders. Also included in this book are several plaids stitched entirely in cross stitch. With the use of alphabets at the back of the book, you could easily adapt the samplers to incorporate sayings of your own choosing.
Petits Messages au Point de Croix (2004, 64 pages, hardcover) $23.00
Here Be Wyverns by Nancy Spies is subtitled "Hundreds of Patterns Graphed from Medieval Sources." The sources of the designs include documents, carvings, textiles, etc. The designs are divided into chapters such as Imaginary Creatures, Animals, Water Creatures, Architecture, Birds, People, Lettering, Overall Designs, Borders and Odds and Ends. There are many beautiful patterns in this book that are of use to people who aren't even interested in medieval art, as well as to those who are. Designs are clearly charted but without color selections, leaving that choice up to you. The sources of all the designs are clearly attributed. I think this is one of the nicest charted books I have seen come along in a long time and it is well worth adding to your library, as the designs are truly timeless.
Here Be Wyverns (2002, 192 pages, softcover) $30.00
Here Be Drolleries by Nancy Spies of Arelate Studio is a sequel to her popular book Here Be Wyverns (see above). This book contains more than 400 designs that have been graphed from medieval art. The source material of each design is noted near the graph. The book begins with a chapter of beautiful medieval alphabets. Other chapters have entries on animals, architecture, birds, borders, "drolleries" (grotesque and mythical animals), "odds and ends" (decorative elements including fleur de lis), overall patterns, people, plants and water creatures. As with Here Be Wyverns, there are design elements in this book that will appeal to many people, even those without a particular interest in medieval art. Those who are interested in medieval art will find this book invaluable. The designs may be used in any form of needlework that uses a counted graph, as well as other disciplines where a graphed design can be used. No specific color choices or threads are listed; most graphs are created with only one or two colors but the final color selection remains up to each stitcher.
Here Be Drolleries (2007, 194 pages, wirebound softcover) $30.00
Proper Stitch by Darlene O'Steen is the long-awaited reprint of this sampler book. Originally published in 1994, this edition is revised and expanded. It contains six chapters of counted thread stitch techniques, organized by type (variations of cross stitch, straight stitches, satin stitches, buttonhole stitches, looped stitches and drawn thread stitches). It concludes with four charted samplers. The book is profusely illustrated with large stitch diagrams and directions which clearly explain the techniques. It is wirebound to lay flat inside a hard cover.
Proper Stitch (2006, 168 pages, hardcover) $44.95
Die Schwälmer Weißstickerei by Thekla Gombert is a German-language publication on the little-known form of German whitework known as "Schwalm" embroidery. Schwalm embroidery bears a resemblance to Danish Hedebo (also a little-known form of embroidery!). A combination of non-counted and counted embroidery, traditional shapes such as hearts, circles, flower shapes, etc. are outlined, then threads within those shapes are cut and drawn out in a pattern (drawn-thread), then the remaining threads inside the areas are further embellished with counted stitches. Although the text of this book is in German, clear illustrations and diagrams mean there is no serious language barrier to an experienced stitcher. See the next entry for another book on this subject.
Die Schwälmer Weißstickerei (undated, 48 pages, softcover) $21.00
Hessenstickerei Schwalm by Thekla Gombert is the first book by this author. It features slightly expanded coverage of this traditional form of needlework unique to the Schwalm region of Germany. As with her second book (see above), the text is in German but the book is profusely illustrated with photographs of old Schwalm embroidery, motifs, stitches and samples.
Hessenstickerei Schwalm (undated, 56 pages, softcover) $19.00
Schwalm Embroidery: Techniques and Designs by Christine Bishop is currently out of print and out of stock, sorry.
Schwalm Whitework by Renate Fernau is our 4th Schwalm title, and the second in English. Translated from the German (sometimes quite literally, many stitch names are listed by exact German translations rather than their common English names), I cannot begin to praise this book highly enough. It is an EXCELLENT book of Schwalm embroidery techniques and stitches. The variety of stitches here far exceeds those in any of the other Schwalm books. The book includes very clear diagrams as well as photographs of actual examples of the stitches. The only things missing from this book are Schwalm embroidery designs; you will have to go to other sources for those. American stitchers please note that some of the finer threads used by the author are readily available in Germany but not in the United States.
Schwalm Whitework (2000, 72 pages, paperback) $22.00
Art of English Blackwork by Jane Zimmerman is a self-published book with a minimal amount of historical information and stitching techniques. The vast majority of the book consists of blackwork design elements.
Art of English Blackwork (1996, 187 pages, wirebound paperback) $37.95
Beginner's Guide to Blackwork by Lesley Wilkins is a nice, basic introduction to this very old form of needlework. This book contains enough basic instructions and design motifs (including individual motifs, borders and filling patterns) for you to create your own designs. It is not too overwhelming and the style of blackwork depicted is the very traditional style, rather than a modern interpretation.
Beginner's Guide to Blackwork (2002, 64 pages, softcover) $17.95
A Collection of Beautiful Stitches by Emie Bishop is a lovely new book of counted thread stitches by the owner of the company "Cross 'n Patch." Better known as a designer of lovely samplers which combine hardanger, counted cross stitch and other counted thread techniques, she describes this book as "a reference book of richly textured needlework stitches." Printed in wirebound format so that the book will lie flat while you use it, it contains literally dozens of counted thread stitches, including hardanger techniques, pulled thread, surface stitches, drawn thread stitches and more. While you will find many common stitches in here there are also some unusual stitches and unusual variations of common stitches. (Please note this is strictly a stitch and technique book; not a project book.) I highly recommend this book.
A Collection of Beautiful Stitches (2002, 66 pages, wirebound paperback) $19.95
Casalguidi Style Linen Embroidery by Effie Mitrofanis is an Australian publication (where would we be without those Australians!) on a traditional form of Italian needlework. It is difficult to describe, but most recognizable if you have ever seen it. Done on linen, it combines pulled thread stitches with some very raised stitches, including buttonhole stitches, and a stitch known as "padded raised stem band." Very little has been written on this technique so this book is very welcome. This book includes 26 projects, both traditional and non-traditional (hence the name Casalguidi Style).
Casalguidi Style Linen Embroidery (1996, 128 pages, softcover) $30.00
Pulled Thread Workbook by Mary Fry is out of print and out of stock.
Danish Pulled Thread Embroidery by Esther Fangel et al. is an inexpensive little book, published in both English and Danish. Less extensive than Mary Fry's book, it is still an excellent value. It too, has both stitch diagrams and photos of actual stitching.
Danish Pulled Thread Embroidery (1977, 100 pages, paperback) $7.95
Ruskin Lace & Linen Work by Elizabeth Prickett is not currently available from us, sorry.