Book tour – Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery

Some people go on a book tour when they release a new book. I’ve never done this, but I thought I could instead take you on a tour of some of my books. I know that some of you have been along for the ride since the beginning but some of you are newer to my books and may not be aware of particularly some of the earlier ones. You are all most welcome to join me on my book tour!

The first book we’ll look at is Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery: Merezhka Poltavska by Yvette Stanton.

“Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery: Merezhka Poltavska” by Yvette Stanton, teaches a unique drawn thread technique from Poltava in Ukraine. Merezhka means drawn thread work, and Poltavska means that this particular type of merezhka comes from Poltava.

Merezhka Poltavska was originally worked on shirts and household textiles. There are two main methods (large scale merezhka and small scale merezhka), and each are explained using step-by-step instructions with both diagrams and photos, for great clarity.

The book has two learning samplers, which teach you the two main methods of Merezhka Poltavska. Then there are seven beautiful projects, from small to large.

This is what some people have said about the book:

“This is one of the best-illustrated books I’ve ever seen. All the stitches and all the designs are shown with both an illustration and a photo. I’ve never seen anyone do that before, but I have to say it’s very effective, and makes each stitch quite clear.” S.D, USA

“The book is really unusual in its clarity of instruction, the drawings, the thought. I was moved to tears in reading in your acknowledgements your thank you to the people of Poltava for their gift of the poltavs’ka merezhka. Congratulations to you on a job very well done.

I was taught the merezhka that you have in your book by a lady who was born in the latter half of the nineteenth century – she went to the university before WWI. She was a master in all kinds of embroidery, knitting, crocheting and other techniques. She showed me how to do the poltavs’ka merezhka and your book is as if she were standing right behind you and telling what she did. Truly amazing!” D.Horbachevsky, NY USA

The technique is quite unusual, in that it looks like a regular needlewoven band, but is made quite differently. If you’ve never tried this particular drawn thread technique before, I encourage you to give it a try!

You can purchase Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery: Merezhka Poltavska by Yvette Stanton from Vetty Creations or from your favourite needlework retailer.