Pulled Thread Embroidery

by Moyra McNeill

Pulled thread embroidery transforms a piece of ordinary fabric into delicate "lace" by compressing threads of loosely woven background material with tightly pulled stitches. Focusing on this age-old craft, Moyra McNeill's clearly written, profusely illustrated how-to book shows embroiderers what attractive effects can be achieved by using relatively simple techniques. For needlecrafters desiring greater challenges, more complex ideas are presented as well.
Following a brief introductory history of the craft, easy-to-follow instructions are provided for creating dozens of decorative stitches, among then the diagonal cross, open trellis and checker fillings; the ripple, Finnish, cushion, diamond, triangle, and braid stitches; as well as composite stitches displaying a reeded stitch and mosaic filling.
Concluding sections describe procedures for a variety of edgings (simple-faced, hern-stitched picot, and fringed) and for creating inspired designs of your own, while a final chapter exhibits decorative examples of pulled work embroidery from the past.

208 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1976

Reviews

[~Anita~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in two sittings nearly a year apart. It's considered a classic for pulled thread work. The age of the book shows in strictly black and white photos. There's only a few examples that would benefit from colour anyway because most pulled thread work is done as white on white. I'm probably only going to use some of the simplest stitches in my current work because I'm using multiple technique types.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

good examples in modern design section
good section on edgings