I've been meaning to post about this stitchery book for awhile. I originally got it from my library and had it in the car for my down-time reading. We had the puppy with us and she was left in the car for a minute or two by herself and, bored to death, decided to tear up and destroy anything that she could get her razor sharp little teeth on. Luckily she only got to the spine of the book but I felt like I should replace it so I found the same one on Amazon (in better condition) and explained it to the library. So, long story short, that's how I ended up with my permanent copy! I'm glad I did because it is a wonderful book with inspiring images from the 70s and lots of ideas on how to use the different embroidery stitches in a free form way.
The title is Stitchery: Free Expression by Ann Woelders (ISBN 0 422 29973 7; copyright 1973) It's out of print but there are a lot of used copies available at Amazon.
I love the organic shapes of these trees and the one on the left shows a beautiful use of chain stitch. I'm putting more images into my Flickr account if your interested in seeing the rest and I linked to it under My Favorite Crafting Books on the left.
Thanks for posting this. This reminds me a of the stitching of the English embroiderer Constance Howard. As part of my Embroidery City and Guilds we are encouraged to use stiches in a free form way. Thanks for putting up the great pictures.
Posted by: Anne | 10/23/2005 at 03:01 PM
these are great, inspiring images!
Posted by: laura r. | 10/22/2005 at 02:17 PM
I love the organic designs too....these are awesome!
Posted by: joy madison | 10/21/2005 at 12:31 AM
I find the most amazing inspiration in those older embroidery books...and those images are wonderful, I especially like the bell pepper lookign design, Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: KimC | 10/18/2005 at 09:46 AM
That is a gorgeous book! Thanks so much for sharing the photos. And, your new little sock kitties are gorgeous! Well done!
Posted by: kelly | 10/17/2005 at 09:09 AM
OH MY GOD. thank you for sharing this book. I HAVE TO FIND ONE. love love love, cassi. thank you!
Posted by: Lisa | 10/13/2005 at 09:59 AM
that looks like a winner! i agree with jenn, it definitely reminds of me jean ray laury's applique stitchery book. i have a couple of other 70s stitchery favourites: the stitchery book by irene preston miller and winifred lubell, the young embroiderer by jan beaney, and stitchery for children by jacqueline enthoven -- all "for children", and beverly rush's stitchery idea book is fun as well.
your sock kittens are adorable!
Posted by: mrspilkington | 10/13/2005 at 03:56 AM
Wow! I love those designs. Those are my kind of images. I love the overall simplicity, color...I'm going to have to search my library...
speaking of damaged lib books. I just spilled water all over my borrowed knitting book. the pages are stuck together...and i think i'm probably the only one who's been checking it out, since this is the third time i've had it...can't slip it back in the drop box and hope they don't notice. might be shopping on amazon tonight for a replacement, too!!!
Posted by: molly | 10/12/2005 at 08:25 PM
That looks like a very interesting book. I'll look for it at my library.
Posted by: jackie | 10/12/2005 at 01:42 PM
wow cool book. I love those images.
Have to keep my eye out for it, dutch or english.
Posted by: Karin | 10/12/2005 at 01:25 AM
this book is just beautiful. what fantastic gorgeous designs
Posted by: kath | 10/11/2005 at 10:21 PM
Thanks for sharing. I love images and art from the 70's. This book is on my "wish list".
Posted by: tweety | 10/11/2005 at 09:48 PM
Thank you so much for posting these images. I think i may just have to get myself a copy of that book!
Posted by: Laurie | 10/11/2005 at 05:32 PM
I love the trees in the black and white picture at the bottom. Lovely!
Posted by: abbyjane | 10/11/2005 at 04:07 PM
How wonderful !
Posted by: lyn | 10/11/2005 at 03:29 PM
It's funny how the forms and colours come back and are modern now again. I love to look at these, I have one of my own too. :-)
Posted by: Hanna | 10/11/2005 at 09:23 AM
Oh wow! I remember this book! I actually made a crewel yarn picture on burlap for a school home-ec project that was similar to the cover photo. I remember it so well because I got an "A" and the teacher made a big deal of showing it off. Guess I was a craft-nerd even way back then. (gush)
Posted by: ~Vicki | 10/11/2005 at 09:22 AM
wow cassi! i checked out a similiar book from the library and had it forever, i just couldn't stop looking, and renewing it. i love these old books.
Posted by: jenny vorwaller | 10/11/2005 at 07:19 AM
great book. It reminds me of Jean Ray Laury (I think that is how you spell her name...) I love that style, the "art" feel to it.
Posted by: jenn | 10/11/2005 at 06:40 AM
Schweet! That's exactly the sort of thing I was looking for to design the flowers for a background I just painted.
Posted by: Marg | 10/11/2005 at 05:15 AM
What a cool book!! I love the trees very 70's and soooo cool! Thanks for sharing it! I'm gunna have a browse in my library for it!
Posted by: mandy | 10/11/2005 at 03:00 AM