White Threads

Advance copies have arrived!

Advance copies arrived! Yesterday I opened a very exciting parcel containing the advance copies of Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway!

I’m really happy with the way the book has turned out. I hope you will love it too.

The full Australian and New Zealand shipment should depart from the printers in the next day or so, arriving here in mid June. The rest of the world will have a joint Vetty Creations and Search Press publication. This edition will be available in September.

If you’re a reader wanting to purchase the book, you should be able to get it from your favourite needlework store. And of course you can also purchase it from Vetty Creations. I endeavour to sign all books that I send out to customers from the Vetty Creations office, though I don’t guarantee this, as sometimes it’s just too busy to do so!

If you’re a shop owner outside of Australia and New Zealand, please contact Search Press in the UK or USA to order copies for your shop. If you’re a shop owner in Australia or New Zealand, you will be able to get the book through the normal channels (Vetty Creations, Craft Book Wholesalers, David Bateman).

In time, I will be putting supplies kits for the projects up on my website. I want to make it as easy as possible for you to enjoy creating them.

I don’t know what size you imagine my publishing house, Vetty Creations, is. Perhaps you think it’s a large publishing house with many employees. Actually, it’s just me. Just me. So when you think of the books I publish, remember that in buying them, you’re supporting me and my family. You’re helping my daughters with their education. You’re helping me pay my bills. Anything you can do to help support my small business (buying my books, writing great reviews, commenting on my blog and FB pages, telling others about my books) please know that I really appreciate it.

Temporary office closure – cruising again!

Temporary office closure
From 22nd April until 17th May, I will be out of the office, on a teaching trip. I will be cruising from Sydney to Seattle with the Needlework Cruises and Tours Craft Creations Cruise.

While I will have internet access, it is likely to be intermittent. Therefore, any enquiries and orders, I will attend to on my return. I sincerely apologise for any inconvenience.

Pre-publication reviews

As part of the final stages of preparing Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway for publication, I sought and received some pre-publication reviews. I sent PDFs of the book to a number of respected and highly knowledgable needlework enthusiasts for review.

One of these people was Kari-Anne Pedersen, Curator of Costumes and Textiles, Norsk Folkemuseum, Oslo, Norway. She is a specialist in smøyg, particularly smøyg from Telemark. Kari-Anne was immensely helpful to me during the writing of the book, and was really excited to see it.

“Smøyg is an old embroidery technique dating back at least to the Vikings. It is called pattern darning in English. This book details the history of the technique, and also describes how the techniques were used on different textile pieces and clothing. There are few written sources describing smøyg, and this book is going to bring joy to many Norwegian embroiderers, who have been looking for material on this technique. It is still used in the traditional local clothing, or bunads, that are used for special occasions.

Yvette Stanton has done an impressive job with researching this technique, and presenting her finds in an admirable way. She sorts and defines different aspects of the technique and patterns. She outlines possible projects using smøyg, in addition to instructive explanations of the different stitches. A book to enjoy and learn from, answering most questions that can arise concerning smøyg. Thank you Yvette, for making such a stupendous book!” – Kari-Anne Pedersen, Curator of Costumes and Textiles, Norsk Folkemuseum, Oslo, Norway.

Spreads from Smoyg - Pattern Darning from Norway

Spreads showing the use of smøyg on traditional shirts, the many motif uses in smøyg, and the band sampler project.

Heidi Fossnes is the editor of Bunad magazine. This Norwegian magazine focuses on the folk dress of Norway, exploring the many different styles from the many different regions, and was one of the first places I noticed smøyg embroidery. Folk dress is still worn regularly in Norway for special occasions, and many Norwegians enjoy embroidering garments for themselves or their relatives to wear.

“Finally, a long awaited book about the embroidery technique, smøyg. It is both a beautiful and educational ‘step by step’ book. In addition to showing a number of examples of garment types where the smøyg technique has been used, and is still used, in Norway, the book also contains a lot of patterns and illustrations to use in both bunads and other textile works.

The illustrations are very easy to follow. In the last part of the book Yvette shows a lot of examples using different fabrics, embroidery yarns and needles for the same pattern. This is also very useful information.

If you have not embroidered smøyg before, you will want to read this book!” – Heidi Fossnes, editor of “Bunad” magazine, Norway

Spreads showing the shirt project, the scissor keep with needlebook project, and both left- and right-handed stitch instructions

Mary Corbet, the world’s premier needlework blogger at www.needlenthread.com, also wrote a brief review. My hunch is that she will follow up with a longer, more in depth one on her blog in due course.

“I’m so excited to see Yvette’s newest addition to her ever-growing collection of excellent instructional and project books! Smøyg, a traditional technique hailing from Norway, is sure to appeal to needleworkers around the globe who love historical techniques, folk embroidery, colorful stitchery, and counted work. As always, Yvette’s approach to instruction is clear, concise, and easy to follow, making the array of gorgeous projects in this latest volume accessible to beginners and beyond. Beautiful techniques, great history, fun projects, and thorough instruction – what more could any stitcher want?” – Mary Corbet, www.needlenthread.com

You can pre-order your copy of “Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway” by Yvette Stanton now, from Vetty Creations. I will send your copy as soon as my shipment arrives here in mid June.

Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway is now ready to pre-order!

On Thursday I sent all the files for my next book Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway off to my printer. And I’ve just received confirmation that the hard copies of the pages have been delivered to them. Hooray! Not only did it mean that I was finished with that stage of the book, but it also meant that I was able to enjoy the Easter long weekend without anything hanging over my head!

Once the book is sent off, I then feel ok about putting the page up on my website for you to order your copy. I know that some people wanted to order it months ago, but I just don’t feel it is right taking people’s money when the book isn’t even finished yet! The confidence that those people are showing in me by wanting to buy even before they know very much about it is very encouraging, but I don’t feel right doing that.

So, down to the details!

Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway

by Yvette Stanton

In this book, embroidery historian Yvette Stanton introduces you to smøyg, which is Norwegian pattern darning. Pattern darning is a simple counted embroidery technique using basic running stitch. And the words you really want to hear: this is not a difficult technique! (I hear you breathe a sigh of relief!)

This book will help you to

explore where smøyg is found in Norway and how it features on the traditional clothing and textiles
enjoy many photographs featuring historical examples of smøyg
learn the stitches and techniques of smøyg with clear step-by-step instructions and detailed diagrams
be inspired by and create 13 original projects, from small through to large, with a range of useful and beautiful applications.

Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway has 104 full colour pages and a pattern sheet.

Introductory information details the different types of smøyg, where smøyg is found geographically and how it is used on various items of clothing and textiles. There are many photographs of historical examples, and information about the motifs, equipment and materials used.

The Projects chapter has 13 beautiful items to make, from small through to larger projects. Included are the following:

jewellery bag
needlecase
table runner
long pendant
band sampler
bookmarks
hanging ornament
table centre
round pendant
cushion
shirt with smøyg collar
framed square
scissor keep with mini needle book.

The projects are primarily worked on linen in very fine wool, though some are worked in silk, depending on the traditional regional style they are inspired by. Traditionally, the linen ranged from about 40 count to 60 count depending on which style the embroidery was, and the type of garment it featured on. However, as I have you, my dear reader, in mind, the projects in the book are worked on 28 count, 34 count, 40 count, and for the really adventurous, 50 count! Whether you’re an absolute beginner or are wanting more of a challenge, there is something here for you.

In due course, Vetty Creations will stock the supplies for the projects in the book. We will let you know when they are available.

The Stitches and Techniques chapter is packed with detailed stitch instructions. Each stitch is taught in fully diagrammed, step-by-step format, with instructions for both left- and right-handed embroiderers. Clear diagrams and or photographs to help you see exactly how to work the stitch or technique, and concise written instructions explain each step.

An appendix and full index complete the book. The appendix acknowledges that trying to find the same supplies across the world can be difficult, so it shows different samples of threads (wool and silk) stitched on different counts of fabric, showing the appropriate needle size and coverage. This means that if the specified project thread is not available to you, you can substitute others more confidently.

Spreads showing the use of smøyg on traditional shirts, the many motifs used in smøyg, and the band sampler project.

Spreads showing the shirt project, the scissor keep with needlebook project, and both left- and right-handed stitch instructions

When will it be available?

The Australian and New Zealand edition is expected to be available from mid June, and will ship then. The rest of the world will have a Vetty Creations/Search Press co-edition which will be available a month or two later. (How often does Australia and New Zealand get products before the rest of the world? Not very often!)

How can I order my copy?

You can order your copy from Vetty Creations now. The books will arrive here in mid June, at which time your copy will be shipped to you. Books sent outside of Australia will be sent with a trackable mail service. When you select the product to go in the shopping cart, please make sure you choose the one with the right shipping component:

To Australia: choose “Send to Australia”
To New Zealand: choose “Send to New Zealand (trackable)”
To everywhere else in the world: choose “Send to Rest of the World (trackable)”

Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway provides all the information you need about beautiful Norwegian-style pattern darning. Its clear instructions with hundreds of helpful diagrams mean that you will be able to take yourself through a thorough course on this style of embroidery, within the comfort of your own home. Your new skills enable you to make your own examples of this style of embroidery, using the projects included in the book.

Pre-order your copy today, so that I can send it to you as soon as my shipment arrives here in mid June!

Do you have questions? Please just ask.

Pinterest is fantastic. Pinterest is terrible.

I use Pinterest when I am doing research for a book. I look for images of folk dress that are likely to include whitework embroidery. And then I investigate further with the ones that interest me. I buy books, I use libraries, and I research in museum collections both physically and online.

I also use private Pinterest boards as a visual dumping ground for ideas, and visual reference.

Pinterest is fantastic.

However, Pinterest is also terrible.

Let’s consider this comment about a copied chart, made by an internet user (and I’m sure many think similarly, so I am not singling this one person out!): “It was on Pinterest? I thought they only allow charts which have approval of being posted?”

Ah no.

Pinterest couldn’t really care less.

Pinterest is a breeding ground for illegal charts that have been scanned and uploaded illegally. I know, because there are pages from my books there, and let me tell you, I most certainly did not allow them. (Please don’t go looking for them, and if you do happen across one, please let me know.) As copyright holder of my work, I have the right to disseminate my work. *I* do. No-one else does, unless I licence them to, and we have a written contract.

If you come across a chart on Pinterest, your default assumption should be that it is illegally placed there. If you like the chart, trace it back to it’s source, which if it leads to the designer/publisher, will mean you can pay them for their work by purchasing a legal copy (whether that is hard copy or, if they offer it, a download). If it is a “freebie” chart, then at least you’re acknowledging the designer by getting it from them. That’ll give them warm and fuzzies as their “payment” seeing they are not seeking monetary payment. (Here’s a tip, if you do download a “freebie” chart, write to the designer to thank them! Acknowledge their creativity and thank them for it!)

If you can’t trace a chart on Pinterest back to the designer/publisher, then it’s highly likely to be an illegal copy. Don’t touch it. Leave it there. And continue searching for a legal way to obtain a copy. If you download a copy of an illegally posted chart, you are breaking the law.

Pinterest (and other websites where illegal copies are available for download) really can be heartbreaking for designers. When our charts are illegally copied, we lose out. Designers are just normal people making their way in the world, expecting that they will be paid for work done. That’s what this is. It’s our work. It’s our creativity. And it really isn’t unreasonable that we should be paid for it. You’d be pretty upset if your employer decided not to pay you for a day’s work. Well, we are too.

Pinterest does remove illegal copies of work from Pinterest. However, they don’t have a team out there searching out illegal copies to remove them. They only remove them when a copyright report is filed by the designer/publisher or their agent. I could spend 24/7 of the rest of my life looking for and reporting illegal copies of my work. It’s heartbreaking. And if I actually want to earn some money for my work, I actually need to be working, not reporting.

Always make the assumption that charts found on Pinterest are illegal. If you like the chart, find a way to legally obtain a copy. Buy the book, buy the pattern or buy the chart. If you can’t find a way to legally obtain it, then tell yourself what my mother in law once said to me, “Just because I like something doesn’t mean I need to own it.”

Be legal. Be respectful.

Pinterest is fantastic. Pinterest is terrible.

Trip report – Paris and mystery destination

I recently went to Paris to visit l’Aiguille en Fête, which is a big, annual craft show, not unlike the Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair that I exhibit at each year. I arranged for my sister Prue, who lives in Germany, to join me for my few days in Paris. She’s an embroidery designer too, so it was fun to visit the fair with her, and do some textiley things in Paris.

We spent a day at the fete, with Anne Nicolas-Whitney, a French embroidery designer and teacher. It was lovely to have her as our guide and companion. She also had one of her students, Renée, join us.

As well as the booths for the needlework shops and businesses, there was a large exhibition of whitework. It included lace, crochet, weaving, boutis and other forms of embroidery, such as kantha. It was an excellent display, and one of the reasons I really wanted to be there at this year’s fair. Anne introduced me to a number of very talented embroiderers.

Being inside at the fete meant that we missed a heavy snowfall outside. In the days preceding our arrival into Paris, there had been very heavy snowfalls, so much so that roads and train lines were cut. Fortunately this did not hamper our plans! However, it did mean that for this Australian (who rarely experiences snow) it was a little big magical (and cold)!

: A snowy scene on my way into Paris from the airport.

: Prue and I, out in the snow, just before we went in to Aiguille en Fete.

: Irish crochet collar

: boutis jacket

: crochet by Nathalie Leverger

: Kantha work

: I’m wearing my possum wool jumper.

: Atelier 196 selling lots of lovely Au ver a Soie threads

: Aiguille en Fete

: You couldn’t tell what this was an image of from close up.

: It’s a knitted Garden at Giverny!

Our second full day in Paris was for textile sightseeing. We went to a number of needlework and textile shops. We each bought some fabric, and I bought some embroidery threads/yarns. We particularly enjoyed the fabric district near Montmartre, where there are many fabric shops.

: A Parisian street

: Tapisseries de France

: Beautiful wools at Tapisseries de France

: Ultramod wasn’t open for us to see all the gorgeous passementerie.

: Tissus market, one of the fabric stores we visited. I bought linen.

: Au ver a Soie isn’t generally open, except for classes. But we went there!

: Frou Frou near Montmartre, selling fabric, passementerie, ribbons etc

: A street in the fabric district near Montmartre.

: Tissus Reine, near Montmartre, where I bought some embroidered fabric for a skirt.

I said goodbye to Prue, who did a little touristy sightseeing around Paris then headed back to her little corner of Germany.

If you can figure out where I was from this picture only, you’re doing very well!

I went on my merry way to mystery destination (also in Europe) to do some research for my next book (not the one I’m currently finishing off, but the one after that). I spent a fabulous two days at a museum depot with a very generous curator who had a wonderful selection of my chosen style of embroidery for me to look at. I knew there was going to be a lot in this chosen style, but the many examples I saw convinced me that it very likely won’t all fit into one book, but will probably have to be two. What a great problem to have!

I’d like to say a public thanks to the curator and the museum who hosted me. I was so grateful for your generosity in sharing your time and expertise with me. It was a wonderful few days, and your collection is fantastic! A couple of other people need to be thanked: the two lovely women who first suggested to me that I should write a book on a style of embroidery that was precious to them. I am very grateful for the introduction! (You’ll note that I’m not giving *anything* away in terms of clues about what I studied, and I’ve been very careful to make sure there’s no useful metadata included with the cobblestones image!)

I then headed home to my family in Australia, who had missed me very much, particularly because during my transit from Australia to Paris, The Reader had been taken to hospital for emergency surgery. I arrived in Paris to find a message from The Gymnast saying “Has anyone told you what has happened?” I thought to myself, “I don’t think she means the earthquake in Taiwan.” So then I had to wait some hours until they woke up and could tell me what had happened. While I slept that first night, The Reader was operated on. I was wondering whether I should go home (its these occasions that one has travel insurance for!), but when I got a message on Facebook from The Reader saying “Have fun in Paris, Mum!”, I decided it was ok to stay. She came home from hospital after a few days, was well cared for by hospital staff, my husband and extended family. A huge thank you to them all! She is recovering well. It just wasn’t what any of us expected or wanted to happen during my absence!

As usual, I travelled with cabin luggage only, meaning that I was restricted to only 7kg of luggage. Many people were concerned that I wouldn’t have warm enough clothing. I was fine, thank you, and very warm. 🙂 You just have to pack very judiciously. One of my triumphs, in terms of clothing, was my possum merino jumper (sweater). Possum fibre is hollow, so it is light and insulates well. It is ideal for travel to cold places because it is light and warm. I bought the possum wool in New Zealand at the beginning of 2017, when I was on my teaching tour. I finished my jumper in the weeks before my trip, and was very glad of it.

: My carry on luggage. 7kg on the way over. 5.9kg on the way home.

: I’m wearing my possum wool jumper.

ANZEG conference classes

The ANZEG National Embroidery School is the largest gathering of embroiderers and textile artists at one time in New Zealand.

I will be teaching two classes at this year’s ANZEG conference in New Zealand: Early Style Hardanger Panel and Portuguese Whitework Sampler. I believe there is still room in each of these classes.

Portuguese Whitework Sampler with tutor Yvette Stanton

Early Style Hardanger Square Panel with tutor Yvette Stanton

The 2018 School in Nelson is offering over 70 classes by 30 tutors. There are still places available in many classes. Registrations after 28 February will attract a late fee – so get in quick!

You can register online at www.conference2018.co.nz

Temporary office closure

It’s that time again when I go off into the wide blue yonder to do some research for another book. I’m combining it with a trip to Paris to go to l’Aiguille en Fête, the big craft show.

I will attend to all enquiries and orders on my return. I apologise for any inconvenience.

Office closure 7-16 Feb

new pic from coming book

Smøyg cushion by Yvette Stanton from the forthcoming book Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway, due for publication in 2018.
I thought you might like to see this image from my upcoming book “Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway”, that I posted on the Vetty Creations Facebook page the other day.

This is a cushion that features the style of smøyg found on kinnlag (baby wraps) from Setesdal in Aust Agder. As is shown in this example, it is usually red with spot motifs in the main section and striped borders along the edges.

I’ve been doing a bit of photography for the book lately. I am trying to get as much done on the book as possible in this next week before I head off on my quick trip to Europe.

Speaking of that trip, I have finished knitting my possum merino jumper (sweater), which will be both light and warm – perfect for travel to a wintery clime. I wasn’t entirely happy with it at first. The bottom of it had a wide rib at the bottom which drew it in and gave it a shape I didn’t like. It was also too long. So I took off the rib (it was knitted top down, so this was easy enough!), and finished it at the top of where the rib had been with a knitted i-cord edging, as had been used at the end of the sleeves. I’m so much happier with it now! There was a bit of yarn left over so I also knitted a matching cloche style hat to cover my ears and keep them warm.

Off to Paris!

Detail of one of Monet’s waterlilies paintings (taken on a previous trip to Paris).

I’m going on a quick trip to Paris!

This year I have to go to Europe to “mystery destination” to do some research for the NEXT book (the one I have decided upon, but not started yet). I was thinking of tacking it onto the end of the needlework cruise from Sydney to Seattle that I’ll be doing (just a short hop across to Europe from North America). As the cruise is itself three weeks long, that was going to make it a very long time to be away from home.

I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to a French language book on whitework, which was planned to be ready in time for Aigulle en Fête in Paris (8-11 February). The reason why they’re doing a book on whitework is because the fete this year focuses on whitework. A craft fair focusing on whitework? In an ideal world, I have to be there!

And so, some months ago, I wondered if I might be able to put the research trip together with the Paris fair. I enquired of the curator that I’ll need to spend time with in “mystery destination”. Due to me missing an email around the time that my grandmother died (I know that’s why I missed it!) I didn’t realise that the curator had said ages ago that would be ok with her. When I found the email, a month or so later, I enquired again if it was *still* ok, but she was then on a break for Christmas/New Year.

When she returned, she confirmed that it would still be fine for me to visit. And so, I booked everything, combining the trip to Aiguille en Fête with a research trip to “mystery destination”.

I had another little plan too. My sister Prue lives in Germany, and she’s an embroiderer too. I wondered if it might be possible for her to join me in Paris for the craft fair. I didn’t tell her of this plan until I knew it was going ahead, because I didn’t want to disappoint her if it didn’t happen. But when it was confirmed, I asked her if she’d like a weekend in Paris with me as a gift from me to her? Er, yes!

So now, not only will I be going to Aiguille en Fête (exciting in itself!), I’ll be doing it with my twin sister! What fun!

As usual, I’ll be travelling light, but that shouldn’t be so hard, because I’ll only be gone for about 9 days. It’ll be winter (not like the hot temperatures we’re having here in Australia currently!) so I need to think winter wardrobe. It occurred to me that when I was in New Zealand this time last year, on a teaching tour, I purchased some possum merino wool to make a jumper (sweater) and started knitting it. Possum wool is incredibly light and warm – perfect for winter travel clothes! So, I’m now on a mission to finish the jumper before I go. It may not be a particularly pleasant experience as the weather is so hot!

I will be meeting up with a fellow stitcher, Anne, at the fête, which will be lovely. I’m looking forward to seeing all the lovely French stitching, including the Au ver a Soie booth. And Prue and I will squeeze in what Parisian sightseeing we can. I’m hoping to visit some needleworky, textiley type shops. Prue hasn’t been to Paris before, so we’ll go to see some Monet, and do some other touristy things.

I will then spend a few days at a museum, with the generous curator, in “mystery destination” to study my chosen style of embroidery for the next book.

So much to look forward to!

White Threads

Advance copies have arrived!

Temporary office closure – cruising again!

Pre-publication reviews

Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway is now ready to pre-order!

Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway

When will it be available?

How can I order my copy?

Pinterest is fantastic. Pinterest is terrible.

Trip report – Paris and mystery destination

ANZEG conference classes

Temporary office closure

new pic from coming book

Off to Paris!

Coming soon!

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