Frisian Whitework: Dutch Embroidery from Friesland by Yvette Stanton

Frisian Whitework: Dutch Embroidery from Friesland

By Yvette Stanton

Delve into elegant Frisian whitework with historical whitework specialist, Yvette Stanton. From Friesland in the Netherlands, this is a style of counted embroidery dating from the 1600s. It was traditionally used on men’s shirt collars, on household linen, and on samplers.

Whitework is usually stitched in white thread on white fabric and most Frisian whitework is worked this way. However, this technique also can have touches of colour, and some samplers are worked entirely in coloured thread. Alphabets, figurative motifs and geometric shapes are common, and they are interpreted in a wide variety of stitches, such as satin stitch, eyelets, whipped back stitch, and chain stitch; some also with cutwork and drawn thread work.

This style does look quite similar to Hardanger embroidery, however it predates it by about 100 years. And whereas Hardanger is usually based on a four by four thread block of fabric threads, Frisian whitework is based on multiples of three threads. There is a much wider variety of stitches used in Frisian whitework than in Hardanger.
 

Inside 'Frisian Whitework'

Frisian Whitework has 168 full colour pages and three pattern sheets.

• Introductory information explains what Frisian whitework is, and how it is used on various items of clothing and textiles. There are many photographs of historical examples, and information about the equipment and materials used.

• The Projects chapter has 10 beautiful projects including small projects through to larger projects. Included are the following projects:

  • long pendant

  • runner

  • silk sampler

  • square cushion

  • needlecase

  • biscornu

  • monogram cushion

  • whitework sampler

  • strawberries

  • round pendant

Whether you're an absolute beginner or are wanting more of a challenge, there is something here for you.

• The Stitches and techniques chapter is packed with detailed stitch instructions. Each stitch is taught in fully diagrammed, step-by-step format, with instructions for both left- and right-handed embroiderers. Clear diagrams and or photographs to help you see exactly how to work the stitch or technique, and concise written instructions explain each step.

• A full index completes the book.