Book Review-Encyclopedia of Needlework
September 21, 2009 by Noreen Crone-Findlay
Filed under book review
Here’s one of my ‘Desert Island books’: The Complete Encyclopedia of Needlework by Therese de Dillmont.
photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
I have had this wonderful
book since my student days.
Long ago and far away,
a friend said to me:
“I just bought a book
that I think you’ll like
but I don’t much.
Wanna trade?’
I took one look, snatched it from
her hands and clutched it to
my heart.
Books have come and gone from my book shelves, but this one is not going to be leaving my collection.
photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
I can’t find the original
date of publication for
this wonderful compendium
of needlework techniques,
but it looks to me like
it was published first
in the late 19th C or early
20th C.
If you enjoy investigating
historical needlework
techniques, then you will
love this book.
When I am researching an obscure or unusual needlework technique, this book is my first choice to dive into. It’s a delicious collection of ‘what is’ and ‘how to’s. ‘
Want to learn about Wallachian Borders? Assisi work? Damask Darning? You guessed it…. check out The Complete Encyclopedia of Needlework. The only problem is, you’ll end up spending hours reading and reading, as one fascinating nugget of needlework history unfolds after another…..
I also love that book, although mine has a different cover. When my daughter Andrea was married six years ago, my mom was walking through the local hardware/craft/general store. Mom found a copy with yet another cover. I wonder how many times it has be reprinted? I would recommend it to anyone!
Oh I would love to get my hands on a copy of this! According to this:http://www.annatextiles.ch/biograph/dillmont/dillmo.htm – published around 1886 – if that is the same book. I have collected a number of needlework manuals and encyclopedias, such as facsimile copies of Victorian Needlework by Caulfield and Beeton’s Book of Needlework, but I also have Anchor Manuel of Needlework, Batsford Encyclopedia of Needlework and Vol. 5 of Weldon’s Practical Needlework, which was a gift – can’t afford the rest of the volumes. I’ve picked up old needlework magazines, catalogs, etc. – they are wonderful to look at and use. Maybe one of these days I’ll find a copy of Dillmont’s book.
XO
It was published in 1884, I just looked it up on Google.
Hi Elizabeth
It’s interesting, how often you’ll be speaking about a book that you would really like to have come into your life, and suddenly, it will appear!
I was just mentioning Anne Morrow Lindburgh’s book: Gift from the Sea to a friend, and then within a week or two, there it was at a garage sale. Needless to say, I bought it for her!
So, hopefully, a copy of this lovely book will suddenly appear for you! It sounds like you have an awesome collection! Lucky you!
Hi Karen
Thank you and Doh! I usually do a web search right away- thank you so much for doing that. I blame my muzziheadedness on dental woes! erk!
I love it so much I have two copies, acquired in second hand bookshops over the years, but for those not so lucky, it’s on line here.
http://encyclopediaofneedlework.com/
Oh, Celia! you’re a genius! thank you thank you!
Hurrah!