White Work: Embroidery

Organized alphabetically, this is a guide to the different techniques used in white work embroidery. Drawn and pulled thread work are covered, as well as Ayrshire, broderie anglaise, cut work, hollie point, reticella, shadow work and many others. The text provides instructions for working techniques, and the history of each type of embroidery is also given, together with information on identification. In the entry on fibres Dawson discusses the characteristics of the various materials used in white work, and gives advice on presentation and conservation. She refers to the surviving articles from the past which collectors might expect to find, but also looks to the future considering the possible directions a contemporary embroiderer might take. The author has also written "The Technique of Metal Thread Embroidery".