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.
By:
Tatiana Popova
Imprint: Search Press Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 280mm,
Width: 216mm,
Spine: 19mm
Weight: 1.160kg
ISBN: 9781800922716
ISBN 10: 180092271X
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 11 February 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction 6 Materials, tools and tips 8 DMC to Appleton conversion chart 9 The knotty problem 10 Called-for stitches 14 Key to instructions 62 Instructions 64 Smart doodles 64 Happy birthday 66 Tiny the snail 72 Goldfish 76 Columbine 80 Day & night designs 84 Pattern one 86 Queen rose light 88 Queen rose night 94 Pattern two 100 Captured by flora 102 Green brougham 110 Pattern three 118 Jewel the unicorn 120 Jewels of november 132 Pattern four 142 Have a nice day 144 Good night 154 Templates 164 Stitch index 172
Tatiana Popova is a Ukrainian embroiderer. She learnt to stitch at an early age and for a time pursued her passion for stitching by studying a huge variety of embroidery styles and techniques, both at school and in her own time. Flowers have always had a special appeal to her. Having trained as a floristry designer, Tatiana continues making flower arrangements, now worked in silk ribbon and thread. She started her own business, Owl Crafts Company, producing kits for silk ribbon and crewel embroidery. Tatiana teaches at a number of craft shows and Embroidery Guilds all around the world, including the UK, USA, Japan, and Australia. This is her third book for Search Press, with her previous two titles selling over 12,500 copies to date. You can find out more about Tatiana and her work on her website www.owl-crafts.com
Reviews for Contrast in Crewel Embroidery: Modern Designs on Light and Dark
Ukrainian author Popova brings a new vision to crewelwork. Rather than using traditional crewel wools, she creates patterns with the varied stitches and techniques of crewelwork but updates them with cotton floss, perle, and specialty threads. This book uses these threads in contrasting color palettes, and both light and dark fabrics as a base, to show how the same pattern can look startlingly different depending on color choices. There are eight patterns included: four simple “doodles” to practice on, and four complete night and day designs, all with stitch guides. From simple to advanced, each pattern shows how to adapt color choices to create the desired effect. The book includes clear photographs of both process and finished products, as well as an illustrated stitch guide for all the crewel stitches used in the projects. The style is conversational and engaging, with the author’s individual voice coming through. VERDICT: Sharing crewelwork designs with a focus on fresh colorways, and using threads that many stitchers are already familiar with, this book gives an updated look at the potential of traditional patterns. Popova offers practical crewel inspiration and fun ideas for contemporary embroidery. -- Melanie Kindrachuk * Library Journal *