White Threads

Addressing shipping charges for “Hardanger Filling Stitches”

My website has 3 shipping categories for my new book: Within Australia, To New Zealand, To Rest of the World. The Australian shipping is quite reasonable. International shipping is much higher.

The book’s weight has been forefront in my mind, as has the useful information in it. I want this to be the most comprehensive book of Hardanger filling stitches. I want people to find the stitches they want in it, and not go away disappointed because the one they want isn’t there. When you write books like I do – step-by-step instructions with a diagram for each, so that it is very clear, and you cater for both left- and right-handed stitchers so the information is accessible to all – it takes up a lot of space.

And so the book is thick. It has many pages and it is heavy.

I have spent days editing the book to bring the page numbers down while squeezing in as much really useful information as I can. I’ve weighed up “do I include this or should I leave it out?” “How can I write this as succinctly as possible?” “Can I put this as just a minor variation, or does it need its own step-by-step instructions?”

In time, the book will be available internationally. Your favourite needlework or bookstore should be able to stock it. Ask them for it, please.

Ordering directly from me supports me as fully as possible, helping to fund future work. Some can afford the shipping that I must charge (not being multinational who can absorb it) and they choose to order from me. I am grateful to all who do this. They receive a copy from me that is signed. I don’t advertise this, just in case I forget to sign one and have a very grumpy customer!

I understand that many can’t afford high shipping charges. So please, buy local! I love it when people buy local! I still get paid for the books sold through other outlets; just the percentage is much smaller.

The international shipping prices ARE high. That’s because the book has many pages and is therefore heavy. But the VALUE on those pages… my aim is that buyers will find it incredibly worth it!

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

Hardanger Filling Stitches by Yvette Stanton now available for PRE-ORDER!

“Hardanger Filling Stitches: A Step-by-Step Handbook” by Yvette Stanton, is now available for pre-order! The book will be published in mid-late 2023.

• 60+ stitches with many variations
• A band sampler project to try out most of the stitches
• Left- and right-handed step-by-step stitch instructions
• 280 pages (it’s a thick, *heavy* book, jam-packed with information!)
• 195 x 275mm
• Published mid-late 2023
• ISBN 978-0-6457610-0-9

What’s in the book?

This book is in the same style as my previous stitch dictionaries. It has detailed step-by-step instructions, with a diagram for each step. There are both left- and right-handed instructions. Photos show how the stitch will look stitched, and the stitch in use. There are hints and tips, particularly for tension as that is what many people told me they struggle with.

Introductory information explains what Hardanger filling stitches are. There are photographs of historical and contemporary examples, and information about the equipment and materials used.

The Foundations for Fillings chapter has information on how to set up your Hardanger project for the fillings. It teaches you how to do satin stitch to edge the cutwork areas, some pulled thread stitches and how to cut and withdraw fabric threads: the things you need to complete before working the filling stitches.

The Filling Stitches chapter is packed with detailed stitch instructions for more than 60 filling stitches and many more variations. 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. Many people find tension a problematic element of their filling stitches, so particular attention is paid to this.

A beautiful band sampler project will allow you to try out most of the stitches in the book. I don’t have a photo of the project yet, because I haven’t finished stitching it yet! A photo will be forthcoming as soon as it is possible. The project will be on the cover of the book, which is why the cover shown is only a provisional cover. In time I will update my website to have the actual cover shown.

A full index completes the book.

The website includes an extensive listing of the stitches in the book, but keep in mind that some variations are un-named, and you might know a stitch by a different name than I use.

Ordering information

The book will be published in mid-late 2023. Books will be posted as soon as the bulk shipment arrives from the printers. Prices on my website *include* trackable shipping. Please remember to choose your destination from the drop-down menu. You can pre-order the book, or the book AND the project supplies pack.

This book is the ultimate, exhaustive filling stitch dictionary for specialist Hardanger embroiderers. It is thick and heavy (which has an effect on shipping costs) because it is as comprehensive as I can make it!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. Please share this information far and wide!

More information and pre-orders: http://www.vettycreations.com.au/hardanger-filling-stitches.html

Hardanger mythbusting – yet again

You may know that Hardanger mythbusting is one of my favourite subjects. There are many myths about Hardanger, and I like to promote accurate information, thereby busting as many of those myths as I can.

Some Hardanger myths include the following: Hardanger must be done on 22 count fabric, because that fabric is called “Hardanger fabric”. Ah, no. Hardanger was traditionally done on linen fabric of between about 35 and 60 count. It was very FINE compared to the chunkiness of 22 count! Many people think that perle cotton is the thread you should use. Ah, no. They traditionally used linen thread, not cotton at all.

Hardanger satin stitch kloster blocks And on to today’s myth, which is one that I have heard many times from various places:

“Kloster block is a redundant term because kloster means block.”

Ah, no. It doesn’t.

The statement had never sounded correct to me, as to me it seemed like kloster was probably from the same root word as cloister. So I did a bit of research, and asked a couple of Norwegian friends (one of whom is a language nerd!) for some help with the Norwegian language aspects of this, seeing kloster is a Norwegian word.

Kloster comes from the same Latin root word as cloister – claustrum or clostrum. Clostrum means “lock, enclosed place”. A cloister is the covered walkway in a monastery (or similar) and usually forms the border of a garden. It is the area of a convent or monastery that is closed off from the public.

It refers to a something closed off; something separate. In Hardanger embroidery klosters traditionally form the border of a cutwork area. They close off an area.

The word block, used in the terms kloster block and satin stitch block, refers to a building block. Block is not a Norwegian word, and they don’t use it with the word kloster. (More on that later.) In Hardanger, we use a succession of these blocks of five stitches over four by four threads, to build up a line of stitching.

If people choose to call them kloster blocks, it isn’t saying the same thing twice. It is more saying “building blocks which enclose a cutwork area”.

In Norway, they call it klostersøm, which roughly translates/transliterates to kloster seam, which is equivalent to “border stitching”. The statement is correct in that they don’t use the term kloster block, but that is not because kloster and block mean the same thing, because they don’t.

If you’re a person who calls them kloster blocks and you have had someone tell you that this is incorrect, I suggest you’re fine to go on calling them kloster blocks if you wish. It isn’t a Norwegian usage, for sure, but it also isn’t wrong. If you prefer not to upset these people, then you can call them satin stitch blocks or just klosters.

If you wish to help the person who has “corrected” you, in their misunderstanding, you’re welcome to refer them to this blog post. I don’t mean to offend anyone; I wish to promote accurate information.

With thanks to Cathinka and Tore for their assistance with this learning.

NEW BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT: “Hardanger Filling Stitches” by Yvette Stanton.

Hardanger Filling Stitches by Yvette Stanton I am incredibly pleased to let you know that I am working on a new book, entitled “Hardanger Filling Stitches: A Step-by-Step Handbook”. My plan is for it to be published in mid to late 2023. Please share this information with all your stitchy friends!

This book has come about because of a suggestion from Donna who has been looking for a book like this for about 40 years. Thank you Donna for your excellent suggestion!

About “Hardanger Filling Stitches” by Yvette Stanton

One of the major features of Hardanger embroidery is its cutwork, and within that cutwork there are myriad stitches that can be used to embellish and decorate.

This new book will bring together the widest range of Hardanger filling stitches ever compiled. It will include both traditional stitches and contemporary ones, from the very simple right through to the incredibly complicated, all broken down into clear, step-by-step instructions with diagrams for every step. There are both left-handed and right-handed instructions for every stitch.

The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow, making it easy to learn. Whether you’re a learner who works best by seeing (the illustrations) or reading (the words) or both, you can find success with the instructions in this book. You will learn to avoid problems and have the self-assurance to fix any mistakes you make. Yvette Stanton’s expert instructions will help you on your way to making beautiful Hardanger embroidery filling stitches.

If you have suggestions for filling stitches that you would like to be included, it certainly is not too late to suggest them!

You can watch the latest episode of White Threads FlossTube here, where two announcements are made!

For those who read this in an email, you can find the link here: https://youtu.be/Q1ZCpbDqZP8

White Threads FlossTube 110 – Vetty Creations book publishing

In today’s episode of White Threads FlossTube I have a question for you about my publishing program. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

If you are reading this in an email, you can find the video at https://youtu.be/j_4Y8XnIB18

No episode notes.

White Threads Floss Tube 109 – monogram critique and whitework unboxing

Last episode I told you I wasn’t going to show you the monogram I was stitching at the craft show because it wasn’t very good. But I’ve been thinking about that and decided to use it as a learning tool. Why wasn’t I happy with it, and how could I fix it?

I received a generous gift of some whitework from a viewer this week and I decided to “unbox” it with you and explore the beauty of the pieces. Thank you to June for the generous gift of the two beautiful whitework runners.

If you are reading this in an email, the video can be found here https://youtu.be/y6c97OSVCTg

Episode notes:
Sotema 450 linen – http://www.vettycreations.com.au/catalogue-fabric.html#Sotema450
Coton a broder thread – http://www.vettycreations.com.au/catalogue-threads.html#coton

White Threads Floss Tube 108 – Craft show round up and new classes

In this video I tell you about my experience at the Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair, and introduce a new Hardanger class coming up soon, and an old friend class being re-run. My new products from the Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair have now been uploaded to the Vetty Creations website as well.

If you’re wondering why I look a little different in this video (in creating it and looking at the last one I realised how much puffier my face looks now) it’s due to some ill health and resulting medication. Hopefully now that’s over I might return to my usual looking self soon!

If you’re reading this in an email, you can find the video at https://youtu.be/ad-kSPWLKgM

Episode notes:
Portuguese Whitework tin kit: https://www.vettycreations.com.au/portuguese-tin.html
Sotema 450 linen: https://www.vettycreations.com.au/catalogue-fabric.html#Sotema450
Cotton floche: https://www.vettycreations.com.au/catalogue-threads.html#floche
Parterre Hardanger Accessories Stitching Set Workshop: https://www.trybooking.com/CASGE
Frisian Whitework Silk Sampler Workshop: https://www.trybooking.com/CBDGZ

Hardanger workshop in Walcha

I have many of my stitched projects on display at the Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair this week. One that you won’t have seen before, because I only finished it a few days ago, is the project for my next class in Walcha.

Introducing the Parterre Hardanger Stitching Accessories Set, which I will teach in a workshop on 27th and 28th August, at Walcha Handmade in Walcha. The set includes a needle book, pincushion and scissor fob.

This class will be suitable for all levels of stitchers. It is worked on 28 count linen with traditional linen thread.

A weekend workshop in Walcha is always a fun thing to do. All participants who are able get together for dinner at the local pub, so that we can have some fun outside of class too.

For more information and bookings, please go to https://www.trybooking.com/CASGE

Embroidery accessories at the Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair

Tomorrow, the Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair begins, then runs until Sunday. I’ll be setting up my stand today with my dad, who is lovely enough to always come and help me set up.

I’ll have a range embroidery accessories available – the things that make embroidering easier and better, or make finishing your embroideries easier or better.

I have a range of wooden hoops with stands that, in my experience, are the best ones on the market. There’s no plastic. They are sturdy and stable on your table and on your seat. I’ll also have wash out fabric pencils (white and black, and ceramic lead refills), laying tools, needle minders and embroidery scissors.

And in the finishing category, I have bell pull hangers, and embroidered pendant kits, which include a pendant tray, adhesive, chain and mounting board.

If you have any questions about our embroidery accessories, please just ask.

So come and see me for all your whitework and hand embroidery needs at the Vetty Creations stand at the Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair. Stand H10, Wednesday 29th June- Sunday 3rd July, Sydney Showground, Homebush.

If you can’t make it to the craft show, you can purchase our embroidery accessories from the Vetty Creations website http://www.vettycreations.com.au/catalogue-needles.html

Project supplies packs at the Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair

At the Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair next week, we will have a range of project supplies packs. When you purchase my books and want to make the projects, sometimes it can be a little difficult to source all the supplies to make them. (I know this as I live in a rural area!) We have supplies packs for many of the projects, to make it that little bit easier.

Frisian Whitework Needlecase supplies pack Depending on the project, and what is needed, it might just have the fabric, thread and needles, or it might have a whole lot more! The supplies pack pictured is for the Frisian Whitework Needlecase. This is one of the packs that has a whole range of supplies, even including thread for tacking!

To be quite clear, these are just supplies packs; they do not contain the project instructions. The project instructions are found in my books. Sometimes people pick up the supplies pack and think it’s a complete kit – no, the instructions are in the book. It isn’t a trick to make you buy the book; when you buy the book, the supplies pack is there to make your life easier.

If you have any questions about our supplies packs, please just ask.

So come and see me for all your whitework and hand embroidery needs at the Vetty Creations stand at the Sydney Craft and Quilt Fair. Stand H10, 29th June-3rd July, Sydney Showground, Homebush.

If you can’t make it to the craft show, you can purchase our project supplies packs from the Vetty Creations website http://www.vettycreations.com.au/cat.html