Corticelli Home Needlework was published in 1898 and is now a free PDF download from the Internet Archive website. I think readers will enjoy this resource.
Described as a manual of Art Embroidery, Needlework and Knitting, (I love this term Art embroidery) it is loaded with some delicious patterns that look modern today.
The PDF file it is a hefty 114 MB but this is 117 pages of total delight. There are colour illustrations of some of the patterns to tempt you to investigate this free resource further.
Stitch directions are described in an old fashioned manner but with a little concentration they can be understood. As to be expected there is a really good description of how to do long and short stitch and the patterns that are in this book are really beautiful.
Traditional stitchers and crazy quilters should love this book as many of the patterns can be adapted for use on items that can be used today.
The designs are published as line drawings. Another charm is that the advertising front and back could be added to a digital ephemera collection that can be used in collage.
What more could you want? Corticelli Home Needlework is a wonderful free resource full of free patterns and instructions.
Thread Twisties!
Experimenting with different threads can be expensive. You would normally have to buy a whole skein of each type of thread. My thread twisties are a combination of different threads to use in creative hand embroidery. These enable you to try out stitching with something other than stranded cotton. For the price of just a few skeins, you can experiment with a bundle of threads of luscious colours and many different textures.
These are creative embroiderers’ threads. With them, I hope to encourage you to experiment. Each Twistie is a thread bundle containing silk, cotton, rayon, and wool. Threads range from extra fine (the same thickness as 1 strand of embroidery floss) to chunky couchable textured yarns. All threads have a soft and manageable drape. Twisting them around a needle makes experimental hand embroidery an interesting journey rather than a battle. Many are hand-dyed by me. All are threads I use. You may find a similar thread twist, but no two are identical.
You will find my thread twisties in the Pintangle shop here.
What a great book – and it doesn’t have to be downloaded, as it can be read online (see LHS just under the picture of the book page). If you click on the little hand on the bottom bar, you’ll see which page you’re reading so you can get back to it quickly next time. Simply wonderful resource. Thanks, Sharon!
Thanks for sharing this book. I have dowload it. It is very interesting
Thank you, Sahron, for sharing this wonderful embroideries! I like the term ART EMBROIDERY too! Happy Estaer!
I downloaded this the first time you featured it and have just had another look (it got rather forgotten….). Wow! I need to spend more time with those downloads you’ve pointed me to as some of the work is just stunning! This one has shades of Trish Burr, doesn’t it?=)
Thank you!!This is truly a gem!!
Thank you 🙂
sooo beautiful, thank you! 🙂