Frisian Whitework: Dutch Embroidery from Friesland

by Yvette Stanton

Overview

Delve into elegant Frisian whitework with historical whitework with 11 varied projects and expert instruction for left and right handed stitchers alike.


From Friesland in the Netherlands, this is a style of counted embroidery dating from the 1600s, traditionally used on men’s shirt collars, on household linen, and on samplers. The style is known as Frisian whitework, but there can be touches of color, and some samplers are worked fully in color. 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.

Explore this beautiful style of embroidery using whitework specialist, Yvette Stanton’s clear instructions. The book features:

A detailed introduction to Frisian whitework with historical and cultural information, including many photos of historical examples of Frisian whitework from the collection of the Fries Museum, helps to place the embroidery within its cultural context.

Materials and equipment

11 varied projects with a range of contemporary applications, including two samplers, soft furnishings for the home, table linen, and small articles suitable to give as gifts.

The left- and right-handed step-by-step stitch and technique instructions are easy to follow, making it easy to learn.

Yvette Stanton’s expert instructions will help you on your way to making beautiful Frisian whitework embroidery.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781800920248
Publisher:	Search Press
Publication date:	07/06/2021
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	7.70(w) x 10.70(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Yvette Stanton is the publisher and designer behind Vetty Creations. She has a passion for whitework embroidery, and a passion for sharing it with others. Yvette has written three books on whitework, one of them with her twin sister, Prue Scott. Yvette is an accredited tutor with the Embroiderers Guild of NSW, and teaches embroidery classes, specialising in whitework at shops and guild groups around Australia. Yvette Stanton and Prue Scott are award-winning embroiderers with over 15 years' experience of producing beautiful intricate embroideries. Both Prue and Yvette have a particular love for whitework embroidery. Prue is also a trained botanist and botanical artist, and her beautiful designs are a feature of this book. Yvette's previous book, Elegant Hardanger Embroidery was published in 2002 by Simon & Schuster (Kangaroo Press). Both authors live in Sydney. Visit Yvette's blogspot at www.vettycreations.com.au/white-threads/.

Table of Contents

What is Frisian whitework? 5

The historical record 6

Stitches 6

Motifs 7

Alphabets 7

Sample bands 8

Historical examples 9

Samplers 10

Shirts 22

Cloths 24

Large letters and other motifs 26

Projects 30

Materials and equipment 31

Where to start 34

Long pendant 35

Runner 36

Silk sampler 38

Square cushion 40

Needlecase 42

Biscornu 44

Monogram cushion 46

Whitework sampler 48

Strawberries 53

Round pendant 56

Stitches and techniques 57

Pattern index 167

Index 168

Editorial Reviews

Inspirations - All Stitched Up - July 2021


If you’re looking for a new technique to try, then Yvette Stanton’s latest book is just what you need. Yvette, who is a whitework specialist, has produced a book introducing everyone to the fine art of Frisian whitework. This is a counted technique deriving from Friesland in the Netherlands that has echoes of Hardanger to it, but arguably offers more variety in terms of stitches and patterns.
Frisian Whitework is usually worked in white thread on white linen, however the technique often uses hints of colour for highlight with some projects worked entirely in bold coloured thread. Unlike Hardanger, this technique is worked over multiples of three rather than four threads, and it also includes a much wider variety of stitches.

There are clear step by step instructions so you can master all of the stitches required, and ten gorgeous projects ranging from the very small, just perfect to start out, through to large projects that you can really get your teeth into. The book also has three pattern sheets and a detailed index.
It’s time to take your counted embroidery to new heights with Frisian whitework.

From the Publisher