White Threads

A “Hardanger Filling Stitches” review from Ann

Another lovely review. Thank you Ann!

This is a lovely book. Extremely well-researched with easy-to-read diagrams and explanations, plus that rarity of left and right-handed instructions, coming from someone who truly understands left-handed needlework. I have a few of Yvette’s books now and find them absolutely excellent. I was amazed at the incredibly quick turnaround time from book completion to publication. Congratulations Yvette, on this latest book, hold your head high on an excellent achievement.

My shipping app is sending notifications almost constantly at the moment. A whole lot of parcels are arriving in the US, New Zealand, Asia and parts of Europe. Many are being delivered across Australia, and some are being delivered in the US. Wherever you are, if you’ve pre-ordered from me, your parcel is getting closer!

And if you’ve pre-ordered locally, your book is also getting closer!

Purchase your copy today! https://www.vettycreations.com.au/hardanger-filling-stitches.html

Share your review of “Hardanger Filling Stitches”

If you’ve already received my latest book, “Hardanger Filling Stitches” you’ve probably had time to form an opinion on it. I’d love for you to share it, because the opinions of my readers can really help prospective customers to feel more confident in making an informed choice on my books. And quite frankly, I want to know what you think of this book I’ve poured my heart and soul into over the past year!

Please share your honest thoughts and reviews of my new book, Hardanger Filling Stitches in the comments below. The more detailed you are, the more useful it is to others. Thank you!

Smoyg class finish by Andrea O

Smoyg panel stitched by Andrea O
I always tell students in my classes that I love seeing photos of finished class projects. This was sent to me by Andrea O, who was in my smoyg class on my recent trip to New Zealand.

Students had the choice of using my colour scheme (black with pink, blue and straw) or their own. Andrea describes her lovely colour scheme as “Kiwi summer – grass, sky and Pohutukawa”.

It’s truly lovely, Andrea! Well done on a beautifully worked panel!

If you’d like to work this design, you can find it in my book “Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway”. https://www.vettycreations.com.au/smoyg.html

Is “Hardanger Filling Stitches” available in my language?

A spread from the book

A common question about my books is, “Is it available in [my language]”?

This is a question I’ve addressed in my blog post Hardanger Filling Stitches – Frequently Asked Questions. If you haven’t yet read the FAQ, I implore you to do so, as it may help with my feelings of frustration. 😉

My books are published in English. It’s my mother tongue so it’s the language I write my books in.

However, much of the content in my books are PICTURES, which is often a universal language. My stitch instructions are provided in a step-by-step style. Every written step has a clear diagram, so that even if you can’t read the words, you may be able to understand the diagrams.

As an example, my books – in English and “pictures” – sell exceptionally well in Ukraine. English is not the language of Ukraine, though many, particularly younger people, may have learned some English at school. My assumption, though, is that most of my Ukrainian readers are actually relying very much on the diagrams to learn and master the techniques within.

For my books to be in languages other than English, I need foreign-language publishers to licence the rights to reproduce them in their language. For them to want to do this, it needs to be a good economic proposition. Sometimes, with the size of the likely target market, it just doesn’t work out to be economically feasible.

I’d love for you to be able to read my books in your mother tongue. I really would! I’d love for my books to be available in all the languages of the world that people desire them to be in, but I think we can understand that’s never going to happen.

I do have books in other languages in my own library. I use an app on my phone – “Google Lens” – to hover over the page and translate the words into English. While the translations are never marvellous, they can help me to make sense of it. You could try this with my books.

If you can suggest publishers of quality needlework books in your language, please tell me of them, as this could lead to new opportunities for both you and me!

Hardanger Filling Stitches – Frequently Asked Questions

Please carefully read the FAQ.

1. Where can I get a copy of “Hardanger Filling Stitches”?

Currently (early January 24) it is available in Australia. Soon it will be available in NZ. Europe will be late Feb, and USA will be March.

2. What shops will stock “Hardanger Filling Stitches”?

As the author, I rarely know where my books are sold. Your favourite fiction author is unlikely to know this for their books either. Try your favourite store – ask if they have it, and if they don’t, ask if they can get it for you. If your next comment is, “But I don’t have a local needlework store!” neither do I, because I live in a tiny rural town, but there are a range of excellent stores that I call for needlework supplies, or order through their websites. Also, just because a book isn’t on a store’s website doesn’t mean they don’t stock it.

You can try: (NOT an exhaustive list, and not all of them will stock all of my books)

Australia – The Crewel Gobelin, A Stitch in Time, All Threads Embroidery, Hand Embroidery Supplies, Inspirations/The Bobbin Tree.
Belgium – De Roopoorte
Estonia – Ou Karnaluks, Tartu Media
France – Et Brode le papillon
Germany – Barbara Fay
Hong Kong – Tour embroidery
Iceland – Storkurinn
Ireland – Mountmellick Museum
Italy – Casa Cenina, Tombolo e Disegni
Netherlands – Atelier Soed Idee, De Handwork Boetiek
Norway – Hardanger Folkemuseum, Magasinet Bunad
Portugal – Rosa Pomar
South Africa – Blue Weaver
South Korea – Joyjasu
Turkey – Caglayan Kitap
Ukraine – Lelitka, Rukodelliniza
United Kingdom – Royal School of Needlework
USA – Needle in a Haystack (CA), Lacis (CA), Sassy Jack’s Stitchery (NC), Garibaldi’s Needle Works, Thrift Books, A Stitching Shop (CO).

If you’re a shop that stocks my books – particularly “Hardanger Filling Stitches” – and would like to be added to this list, please let me know.

3. How much does “Hardanger Filling Stitches” cost?

If you look on my website, you will see how much it costs in AUD to get the book to you including postage (don’t forget to choose your shipping destination from the drop down menu!). I’m in Australia, so my orders are posted from/within Australia.

Generally, the cost depends on where you’re getting it from, and, if it’s being posted, where it is being sent to. There is no set cost that applies right around the world.

4. Is “Hardanger Filling Stitches” available in my language?

A typical spread from Hardanger Filling Stitches. Left-handed instructions in red; right-handed instructions in blue.

It is available in English only. All my books are HIGHLY visual with diagrams for each step, so it may be that it doesn’t matter if you can’t read the words. Many non-English speakers find they can happily use my books.

If you would like a more detailed answer to this particular question, you can find it in my blog post devoted to this subject.

If you’re a craft book publisher in another language, then please contact me if you’re interested in foreign-language rights, as they are available.

5. Can I purchase a copy of “Hardanger Filling Stitches”?

Yes! Please go to my website https://www.vettycreations.com.au/hardanger-filling-stitches.html. Or, order it from your favourite needlework store.

The Australian/New Zealand ISBN is 978-0-6457610-0-9. The ISBN for the rest of the world is 978-1800922013.

6. Is “Hardanger Filling Stitches” available through Amazon?

Probably. I generally prefer to recommend that people purchase through small businesses that appreciate your custom far more than big multinational companies do.

7. Can I get a supplies pack for the sampler in “Hardanger Filling Stitches”?

Yes! These can be ordered through my website. https://www.vettycreations.com.au/hardanger-filling-stitches.html#supplies
I won’t be supplying the supplies packs to other shops. However, any good needlework store should be able to put together the supplies for you, though they may not be exactly the same as what I have used. You will need a copy of the book to make the sampler, as basically the whole book is the sampler’s instructions.

8. Will you be teaching the sampler?

No. The sampler is SO extensive, it would take MANY hours worth of classes to get through it all. I have designed smaller Hardanger samplers for me to teach. Please enquire, but note that my teaching calendar is quite full for the next year or so. I cannot teach anywhere that is not already booked in 2024. I am also unwell at the moment, so all bookings are health dependent.

9. What stitches are in “Hardanger Filling Stitches?”

Stitches include: woven bars, wrapped bars, divided woven bars, divided wrapped bars, woven diagonals woven petals, twisted spokes, twisted cross, twisted Y, inverse twisted Y, curled V, rosette/struvor, dove’s eye, triangular dove’s eye, dove’s eye with cross, dove’s eye cobweb, dove’s eye in a circle, square filet, double twist square filet, enclosed square filet, nutmeg, knotted picots, looped picots, chain stitch picots, beaded picot, beaded square, greek cross – quarter cross, reverse greek cross, greek cross border, greek cross circlet, heavy greek cross, maltese flower, woven fan – two spokes, woven fan – three spokes, woven fan with decreasing segments, woven quarter fan, reverse woven fan, spider web – single, spider web – three spokes, woven spider web, ribbed spider web, whipped spider web, three quarter spider web flower, buttonhole arc, buttonhole circle, buttonhole arcs with spokes, buttonholed petals, shuttle stitch, blanket stitch flower, buttonholed square, eyelets in woven fabric squares, corner eyelets with woven bars, corner eyelets with square filet, eyelets in corners with divided wrapped bars, simplified eyelets at intersections, buttonhole eyelets at intersections, drunkards path, festoon stitch, flower filling, wheel, edelweiss, queen anne’s lace, bullion flower, chain stitch flower, lacy daisy, soleil stitch, lacy buttonhole edge.

There are many more un-named variations shown. Please note that the names for some stitches vary from resource to resource, so the names used in this book might be different than the names you know.

In addition, there are instructions for foundation stitching such as klosters, satin stitch shapes, cable stitch, eyelets and four-sided stitch. There is also information on cutting and withdrawing thread, fixing cutting mistakes, starting and finishing threads, changing threads in the middle of cutwork, and tension.

There are left-handed (red) and right-handed (blue) instructions for all stitches.

10. Is “Hardanger Filling Stitches” suitable for Hardanger beginners?

That depends on the beginner! If you’re a person who absolutely loves a challenge, then you could use it as a beginner. There is enough on the Hardanger basics to get you started, and started well. However, there’s so much in this book that is not for beginners that a beginner might find it rather overwhelming.

I personally would suggest my other Hardanger books – Early-Style Hardanger or Elegant Hardanger Embroidery – for beginners. You can see a comparison of the books here.

11. Is “Hardanger Filling Stitches” available as an e-book?”

No. It’s available as a paperback book.

12. Is it 168 pages or 280 pages?

“Hardanger Filling Stitches” has 280 pages. To explain, I have had enquiries from people who have seen the book advertised with 168 pages, whereas my website says 280 pages. They have wondered if the 168 page book is a different book, maybe missing some information that the full 280 page book includes. No, 168 pages is simply outdated information. The book is 280 pages.

Eye candy to start the new year

Eye candy to start the new year. Image is of the sampler from “Hardanger Filling Stitches” by Yvette Stanton. This is the other end of the sampler, from what was shown the other day.

https://www.vettycreations.com.au/hardanger-filling-stitches.html

How you can help me

You may have heard that I am not well. I have good days and bad days.

We all want to assume the best, so when you see me posting on social media, you may assume it means I’m getting better. Sadly, that’s not necessarily the case. It more likely means I want to share something and I’m feeling well enough to do it, or I’m ignoring how bad I feel, to do it anyway.

When I post, people assume I’ll reply to them if they comment. Sometimes this is possible. Sometimes I’m just not up to it. Yesterday morning I posted and then had lots of comments and questions. Part way through the day I realised that I just wasn’t up to replying anymore. So I stopped.

Please don’t take my lack of response as rudeness. I’m not well, and sometimes I reach the end of what I can do. Your question might be something easy to answer, but I don’t have the capacity to do so. Or your question might be too difficult for me to work out an answer for, then.

If you have a question, please try reading the text of the post itself, some of my other posts, or my website to see if the answer is there. For some questions, the answers are already out there. Questions such as “Is this book available in the US/Europe/France/South Africa?” – without meaning to sound tired or frustrated, I’ve answered this many times already. “How much is this book?” – the answer to this is readily available on my website. Please do what you can to help me by looking for the answer to a question. I’m really sorry if I sound tired and frustrated. I just have really limited resources.

I’m living within a fairly narrow set of parameters currently. I can’t do all the things I want to do. I have to prioritise. Sometimes, I prioritise rest. Sometimes, I prioritise a trip to the doctors. Sometimes, my family. For the Big Mail Out, I devoted a lot of time and effort to my customers, so that you could have your books. I didn’t want to wait until I’m “well enough”, because I don’t know when that will be. It really took it out of me.

Please just bear with me. I’m doing the best I can.

Image is of the sampler from “Hardanger Filling Stitches”.
https://www.vettycreations.com.au/hardanger-filling-stitches.html

Hardanger Filling Stitches sampler supplies packs

There is one project in “Hardanger Filling Stitches”: a sampler which uses many of the stitches in the book. It is worked on 28 count linen banding, with linen threads, and a few small beads. The finished sampler measures approximately 28 x 59cm/11 x 23in for the stitching area.

I have put together supplies packs for the sampler including linen fabric, threads, beads and needles. They are *supplies packs* not kits, as they do not include the instructions. The whole book is basically the instructions for the sampler, so you need a copy of the book to make it.

The supplies packs with linen threads (as are shown in the book) are currently sold out. I prepared *many*, but they’ve been very popular. I have ordered more supplies and they will likely arrive here in late February or March. All people who pre-ordered prior to today, will receive theirs – thankfully I had just enough!

As another option, I am also preparing supplies packs with pearl cotton threads instead of the linen, for people who prefer that. These supplies packs should be available in mid January. The thread colour is chosen to as closely match the fabric colour as possible, but it is a slightly darker shade of cream than the fabric.

Both supplies packs can be pre-ordered now, so that they can be sent as soon as they are ready.
https://www.vettycreations.com.au/hardanger-filling-stitches.html#supplies

Modern Folk Embroidery recommends “Frisian Whitework”

Jacob of Modern Folk Embroidery
Yesterday I learned (thanks Kate!) that Jacob from Modern Folk Embroidery recommends my book Frisian Whitework. Thanks Jacob!

You can see his recommendations of his favourite books on Dutch embroidery here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okMrXbVH8MY

I also have “Letter Voor Letter” and it is a gorgeous book.

The books have arrived!

books in storage

In the days before Christmas, the bulk shipment of Hardanger Filling Stitches books arrived from the printers! With the help of a wonderful band of fabulous friends and generous relatives, they were sorted and moved into my storage space.

As well as “Hardanger Filling Stitches”, I received new print runs of “Early-Style Hardanger” and “Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway”.

The Big Mail Out began before Christmas, and will continue after on the days when the post office is open. I am still unwell, so the way I have been working on this is to do a bit, have a rest, do a bit, have a rest etc.

I am recording all tracking numbers, but I figure it’s more important to get the books out than to get the tracking numbers out. If you want yours, please contact me. If I’m up to it, I’ll work on sending them out also. I do know that the first four books arrived with their owners before Christmas, and I delivered one this morning on the way home from our Christmas celebrations in Sydney. I anticipate many more will reach their destinations in coming days.

Thanks for your patience with me while I’m still not well. I’m doing my best. Receiving the books and then starting the mail out meant that I did have a few really bad days as a consequence, so I’ll just continue to pace myself.