Australian book about Hardanger
When Yvette Stanton worked with research for her book, she visited the Norwegian Folk Museum and the Hardanger Folk Museum to study ancient folk costume garments where the technique has been used.
Yvette Stanton is from Australia and the book is published there. It goes without saying that it contains patterns on the technique used in anything but national costumes. I would still recommend it as a technique book because it shows the different stitches in a very informative and easily understandable way, step by step, with plain and clear illustrations. It even has left-handed explanations.
She also shows error correction and how to best avoid problems and errors. It is supplied with 3 large pattern sheets
* Bunad *
Yvette Stanton's books are all superbly created - she gives so much more than anyone can expect of her. From the clearest photos and diagrams as well as instructions to the exciting designs, this book is so professional. I wish all creative embroidery books looked like this. I have all Yvette's books and I am ecstatic to add this one to my collection. I love white on white embroidery and no-one does it better than Yvette. She takes us back to the Norwegian fjords where it all began. There is a great intro and short history with lots of images of early motifs; also featuring a comparison between old and new work. You'll find a materials and equipment section too. The projects, stitches and techniques form the largest part of this exciting book and they all look fabulous. Once you have learned the stitches and techniques, you can create your own designs. The 10 projects are suitable for beginner to experienced stitcher. Learn these traditional techniques and make something rarely seen outside Norway. At the very back is a pattern sheet. This is a 12 out of 10, a keeper forever. Buy one for a friend - they will love you forever. Highly recommended for any embroider and stitch fanatic.
* YarnsandFabrics.co.uk *
If you love whitework embroidery, you've probably heard of Yvette - and if you haven't heard of her, you need to!
Yvette writes instructional and project books, mostly for specific whitework techniques. She's published an impressive library of eight books so far, six of which are devoted to whitework. All of Yvette's books are beautifully written and photographed and packed full of clear, accessible instructions that are suitable for beginners and beyond.
This eighth book - Early-Style Hardanger - does not disappoint. It is High Quality Yvette, all over the place. If you know her books, you'll recognize her style, her attention to detail, her thorough instructions and her exquisite projects.
Early-Style Hardanger explores the counted whitework techniques of Hardanger embroidery as they originated from the Hardangerfjord region of western Norway.
For those who are familiar with Hardanger embroidery, Yvette's introduction sets the stage for this book:
Forget everything you know or think you know about Hardanger embroidery. Early-style Hardanger embroidery is very different to what most of us recognise as Hardanger today...
The book begins with a very readable introduction that delves into the history of Hardanger embroidery and explores it in its social context in Norway.
There are plenty of photos to enchant and delight!
In fact, there are heaps of photos! I especially love the close-up pictures of examples of early-style Hardanger.
It's amazing to think that, during a time when lighting wasn't as convenient and ready as it is today, when magnification wasn't really an option, ladies faithfully plied their needles, working over their precious linen to create a much finer, more intricate style of Hardanger than we see today.
After the introduction, we jump straight into the Projects section of the book.
Wow!! If you want projects, you've got 'em! There are ten projects in the book, with detailed instructions on how to create them.
Full review here: http://www.needlenthread.com/2016/08/early-style-hardanger-by-yvette-stanton.html
* Mary Corbett's Needle 'n Thread *
