RSN Essential Stitch Guides: Whitework

This is a truly lovely book with very clear written instructions and illustrations. As a beginner I think this is just what I need to get me started.

-- Sally Dopson * Amazon Customer Review *

Learn how to work elegant, timeless white-on-white embroidery with this useful primer from the Royal School of Needlework. Based in Hampton Court Palace, England this school has taught embroidery of all types to the highest standard since its foundation in 1872.

This is a new larger format edition of the original which was published back in 2012. The author explains that while the idea of working white stitches on white fabric might not sound very exciting it is actually an inspiring and versatile way to work. Untied from the dominance colour plays in other types of embroidery you are free to use a huge range of stitches and concentrate on the design instead. The book takes you from lists of what you need through a very short history, the types of stitches used and basic notes on design. This is the main focus of this book; learning to design your own pieces rather than working through projects and patterns and I think that it does equip you to do this.

I would say that it is aimed at someone like me, an experienced embroiderer who hasn’t tried this particular type of work rather than a total beginner who has never done any embroidery before. There are plenty of large clear photographic steps with captions and these do include some basic stages such as preparing a hoop and slate frame, transferring designs using a light box and setting up the fabric. Whitework is done on evenweave fabric and makes use of cutwork, drawn and pulled thread, eyelets, net darning and other decorative surface stitches.

As a newcomer to this type of embroidery I was unsure exactly what it consisted of and I was pleased to see the very helpful order of work. This is vital to know and is an example of why this book is so good at teaching design. The bulk of the book shows you how to work the various stitches and techniques particular to whitework. At the back is a short gallery of the author’s work with notes on how various effects were achieved with close-up details. On putting the book down, I felt equipped with enough knowledge to have a stab at creating my own design. This book is recommended to anybody who would like to try this type of embroidery.

-- Rachel A Hyde * myshelf.com *

I have always wanted to learn the whitework technique and this book is just the guide I need. Each stitch has a clear photo to help with every step, and expert instruction from an RSN tutor. There is even a brief history of whitework and how to design your own pieces.

-- Linda Rumsey * Amazon Customer Review *

What an amazing book, from the history of whitework to what you need to get started. All of the stitches are in good clear photos and diagrams, great for beginners. Fantastic book.

-- Debbie Prince * Customer Review *

When I got this book I thought ... wow this looks complicated, but the author has used really great photos and easy to follow instructions to provide clear step by step guides.

There are stitches to learn like, stem stitch, satin stitch, French knots, and techniques like creating eyelets, and cut work, and beyond! I think this would be a great book to take on holiday, you would not need to have much equipment, a little fabric, a hoop, needles and thread etc.

From this book I have taken away ideas to use within more experimental mixed media textile art – such as the trailing method that this book teaches, which is very beautiful. I was so pleasantly encouraged once I flipped through it! No matter where you are in your sewing journey, this will be a great for getting started in Whitework or taking your textile projects to the next level.

-- Dee Shellard * Customer Revi