Embroidered with white-Heather Toomer

Published by Heather Toomer Antique Lace  ISBN 978-0-9542730-2-6

180 pages with over 300  colour and black and white illustrations of original 18th century whiteworked accessories, portraits and costume plates showing how they were worn, and 20 accurate patterns to facilitate reproduction of many examples.

The sheer beauty of Dresden lace, the virtuosity of its stitching and intricacy of its designs, have always found it a place in books on lace and embroideries but little has been written on how this lace, or embroidery as it should more properly be called, fitted into the general fashion scene in the 18th century. This fully-illustrated book places Dresden lace in context, examining how it was used, how it related to other whitework embroideries of

the period and how designs and stitches changed from about 1710 to 1800. Kerchiefs, aprons, sleeve ruffles and waistcoats are all included together with a sprinkling of allied articles, such as bags, pockets and stomachers. Photographs show a wide range of original items including details of the embroidery stitches, together with portraits and costume illustrations. It is hoped these will provide inspiration for embroiderers and fashion designers alike, while measurements and patterns will be helpful to those involved in accurate reproductions for stage, screen etc.

Tips are given on washing and conservation. There is also information on where original items may be studied in public collections.

This book will be of interest to anyone concerned with the care and cataloguing of a costume or embroidery collection, embroiderers and other designers seeking inspiration, costume and general social historians and anyone with a love of fine craftmanship.