Embroidery Books

• To find embroidery books on the library catalogue, click Search, click Subject and enter the word embroidery. Here is a selection:

History

• Embroidery: a history by Pamela Warner. Batsford, 1991
• Royal School of Needlework book of needlework and embroidery Collins, 1986
• The embroiderer's story: needlework from the Renaissance to the present day by Thomasina Beck. David and Charles, 1995
• The subversive stitch: embroidery and the making of the feminine by Rozsika Parker. Women's Press, 1984
  

Samplers

• Making samplers by the Embroiderers' Guild. David and Charles, 1993
• Miller's samplers: how to compare and value by Stephen Huber. Miller's, 2002
• Traditional samplers by Brenda Keyes. David and Charles
  

World

• All Sheila Paine’s books held in Bedfordshire libraries are recommended, especially Amulets: a world of secret powers, charms and magic Thames & Hudson, 2004
• Beadwork, a world guide by Caroline Crabtree. Thames & Hudson, 2002

Symbols & Imagery

• The illustrated book of signs and symbols by Miranda Bruce Mitford. Dorling Kindersley 1996
• Nature and its symbols by Lucia Impelluso. USA, J.Paul Getty Museum, 2004
  

Stitch Encyclopedias

• Stitch dictionary by Lucinda Ganderton. Dorling Kindersley, 2006
• Encyclopedia of needlework by Therese De Dillmont. France, DMC
• The dictionary of needlework by Sophia Caulfield. Blaketon Hall, 1989 (Reprint of 1885 ed.)
  

Recommended authors / designers

• Embroidery: Helen M. Stevens, Thomasina Beck, Jane Lemon, Jan Beaney, Beryl Dean
• Cross Stitch: Jo Verso, Donna Kooler, Julie Hasler
  

To buy

• The Embroiderers' Guild has a comprehensive and inspirational selection of embroidery, textile, costume and fashion books
• The Embroiderers' Guild bookshop is open at the Embroiderers’ Guild, Hampton Court Palace, weekdays 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Telephone: 020 8943 1229 for a  catalogue or order online 

With thanks...

• The embroidery samples images and the information on which the embroidery pages are based were provided by avid stitcher Frances Wortley, contact for the Bedford Branch of The Embroiderers' Guild, e-mail bedsembroidery@aol.com