At the Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair on the weekend, I revealed the subject of my next historical embroidery book. Note, I did not say “historical whitework book”, and that’s because this time it is not whitework!
My next book will be entitled “Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway”, and the embroidery is done in full, fabulous colour! It is a counted embroidery though, so you can see its appeal to me. (And I do actually like colour. 🙂 )
If you are reading this in an email, you can watch the reveal video here.
At the craft show I had a display of three of the projects from the book. There will of course be more than that when it is finished! The three you can see in this photo are the very long colourful band sampler, the red cushion, and the little pendant to the left of the red Christmas stockings.
“Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway” will be published some time in 2018. I am not being any more specific than that. It will be done when it is done. There is no point in rushing it to have it ready for some particular occasion, when not rushing would make it a better book.
Of course, I will keep you all informed as things go along!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this book. Several people have said it wasn’t what they expected! If it wasn’t what you expected either, what did you expect?
White Threads is the blog of Yvette Stanton, the author, designer, publisher behind Vetty Creations' quality needlework books and embroidery products.
Ahhhhh! It looks lovely, Yvette! How exciting! I bet you’re having a blast working on the projects in full color!
Oh, thanks for your enthusiasm, Mary! 🙂 I am enjoying everything about this book. The research has been so interesting, and the stitching is great. I’ve undone and redone more stitches than I care to think about, but all in the effort of getting it perfect. 🙂
Wow, thanks for letting the secret out! It was indeed not what I expected, BUT I love it and look forward to the book. Although this type of darning is well-known in the Netherlands, I have never tried it. Your book will certainly change that :).
Thanks Jessica. 😀 What were you expecting?
What a big change! As everybody else I expected a book on a whitework technique from somewhere in the world. And it is coloured traditional work. It is lovely. I love all your books.
Thank you for your encouragement, Anne.
Well, that is a surprise! I suppose, like everyone else I was expecting another whitework technique … after all there are still plenty to choose from. I had sometimes wondered if your next book might be one of the Italian needlework styles such as Reticella or Punto Antico (if you ever do btw, then I will also be very interested!) 🙂 However … if you mention Norway, although Hardanger immediately comes to mind, I had no knowledge of any other regional techniques so it will be fascinating to learn about another facet of their embroidery culture. 🙂
Oh, I do like surprises! Thanks for your thoughts, Kathryn. I’m glad you’re looking forward to learning something new to you.
I am delighted to find that your next book is full of colourful pattern darning. I have just completed a lovely bookmark in Ukrainian Nyzynka from a workshop with Julie Clemmett in Nelson NZ, and am totally hooked. Can’t wait for your new book to be on the shelves next year, and will be really keen to work the sampler. I also love the pendant.It will complement the beautiful hardanger one I purchased from you when I was lucky enough to be in your Sardinian Knotwork workshop in Nelson. All your books are so beautifully put together, and so easy to follow, and I know that this new one will guide me through the method with your usual detail, superb diagrams and knowledgeable advice. Can’t wait.Do come back to New Zealand to teach us anytime soon.
Thank you Jak! I was thinking about you the other day (all good things!). I hope you are well, and it’s lovely to hear that you’re looking forward to my next book.
Oh, that is greatly interesting to me, Yvette. I love these old pattern-darning designs. A fascination that started 20 or more years ago when I first saw a Mamluk sampler in the Fitzwilliam Museum’s collection.
Wonderful to hear that, Sue. I hope you enjoy the book when it comes out.