An Introduction to Whitework Embroidery with Colour

Explore a modern take on traditional whitework with embroidery expert Trish Burr. This book offers 10 brand-new projects arranged by skill-level, complete with clear instructions, iron-on transfers, full-size templates and beautiful photography. Trish provides a no-nonsense approach and the projects feature themes like florals, birds and butterflies and include a comprehensive stitch library, tips on selecting materials, and guidance on fabric preparation. 

* CrossStitcher, February 2025 *

This paperback guide, uses the traditional method of Whitework in a comtemporary way.

The usual method of Whitework is of course, seen in white, usually with a coloured background so the thread and pattern stitched takes key view. But this can seem boring, a look best left for the historical or familial samplers of a bye-gone age. Burr here pledges to bring this method up to date.

As someone who always struggled with traditional, I clearly remember the lesson with my Royal School of Needlework trained teacher, where she actually got me to try out this for myself. I think she knew that I would never have tried it with the white only allowance, so she tried to make it tempting to me and my style. I was allowed to try it using a visual picture - I chose a cupcake, so my little sample became very cupcake in colour. I still have that little piece now, over fifteen years later. Looking back, if she had kept to the “Whitework” laws, I would never have bothered to try it. This may echo your own thoughts. We can appreciate things which seem old fashioned but never actually want to try them.

All the good to Burr, who has not become staid in her ways. She has written a few titles so far and in the introduction, she relates to readers and mentions that she has tried to move with the times - I imagine that some readers will be shocked at her move forwards, thus she endeavours to explain her way of working.

The book itself has projects which are often aimed at beginners, so allowing for a new audience. Yet she also provides ones for those who are experienced at Whitework but want to add this coloured version to their repertoire.

The content pictorially looks at nature; think bees, butterflies…. As to the teaching, we can tell Burr has experience. The diagrams are understandable and the pictures really show what is meant to be done. There are ten reusable transfers, so you do not need to be skilled at drawing.

* Ailish Henderson *

In this lovely guide, Burr brings splashes of color to whitework embroidery, a style that typically features white thread on white fabric. The beginner-friendly introduction details how to make various stitches, set up an embroidery hoop, and pick the most suitable fabric. Among the easiest projects are a white and red folk art flower created from straight satin stitches and French knots, and a beige and pink summer rose composed of split and padded satin stitches. Intermediate designs introduce animals to the floral tableaus, including birds, a bee, and a beetle. Rounding out the volume are two advanced pieces depicting a toadstool garden and an intricate blue and gold butterfly. Burr includes transfers for each project and suggests that for the best results, readers should tape them face-down on fabric before holding a hot iron over them. The charming floral designs include enough white accents to ensure the focus on whitework doesn’t get lost amid the color, and Burr offers an enlightening peek into her creative process by explaining that she saves striking images to Pinterest, draws inspiration from them while sketching in a graphic design software program, and then decides what stitches and colors to use where. Embroiderers will be glad they picked this up.

* Publishers Weekly *

Well-known Australian embroiderer Burr (Kew Book of Nature Samplers; Colour Confidence in Embroidery) shares her take on traditional French whitework, updated with some Australian color. This book is thorough, covering all the materials, preparation, and finishing required for each project. There is a logical progression of information, and it is well laid out, with many clear photographs illustrating the steps. This is a project book, with 10 patterns for readers to follow. There are iron-on transfers as well as traceable templates, so readers can choose their preferred method. Burr includes four simple patterns, four intermediate, and two advanced. She suggests breaking up larger motifs to use design elements in new ways. The instruction is detailed and includes an illustrated stitch guide. Whitework uses a few different kinds of embroidery threads and stitches that may be new to some readers, but each stitch gets a complete overview. Burr is known for her stylized, nature-based designs, and this book shines with patterned florals, bugs, and a trendy mushroom for readers to create. VERDICT: A great entry-level instructional guide for embroiderers looking to learn new techniques that are not difficult but create a beautiful result.

-- Melanie Kindrachuk * Library Journ