Contrast in Crewel Embroidery

Discover a wealth of innovative and inspiring ideas for using colour in crewelwork, from one of the world's leading embroiderers, Tatiana Popova.

Explore the interplay of light and dark, and experiment with colour and stitch in this stunning, practical guide to crewelwork. Through her innovative stitch designs and inimitable eye for colour, Tatiana explores how the traditional technique of crewel embroidery can be reimagined for stunning, contemporary results. Inside you’ll find:

• A complete guide to the tools and materials needed.
• A guide to planning successful colour, thread and stitch choices all explained with invaluable personal insights.
• 4 'smart doodles’, which allow you to produce an accomplished finished piece while you practice your stitches.
• 4 paired 'light and night' embroideries: each pair uses one design but varies the colours of the threads, fabric colour and stitches used, to give two distinctly different results. Each project contains a complete thread and stitch list, which corresponds to detailed photography of the finished embroidery, to make it as accessible as possible.
• All templates included.
• A full stitch directory with more than 130 crewelwork stitches explained step by step, from back stitch to woven wheel.

Whether you are new to embroidery or an experienced embroiderer looking for new ideas and expert guidance, this inspiring, practical book is one you will turn to again and again.

Book Contents

Introduction6
Materials, tools and tips8
DMC to Appleton conversion chart9
The knotty problem10

Called-for stitches14
Key to instructions62
Instructions64
Smart doodles64
Happy birthday66
Tiny the snail72
Goldfish76
Columbine80

Day & night designs84
Pattern one86
Queen rose light88
Queen rose night94

Pattern two100
Captured by flora102
Green brougham110

Pattern three118
Jewel the unicorn120
Jewels of november132

Pattern four142
Have a nice day144
Good night154

Templates164
Stitch index172