Asian Embroidery Book & Why?

Greetings to all,
I haven't been around most of this year due to being overwhelmed with
too many deadlines, working on several projects at once, as well as
reconfiguring my latest Mac....upgraded to a G-5 iMac desk unit this
past April, my first one as I've been a laptop user from the very first
Mac 100 series laptop all the way to the G4 version.
It's a lot better reading off a large screen monitor than the constant
scrolling on laptop screens.
Through these months I've acquired quite a pile of new books including
some excellent needlework volumes.
I'd like to share one of the best ones I've seen.....
Title: Silken Threads - a history of Embroidery in China, Korea, Japan
&Vietnam
Author: Young Yang Chung
Publisher: Harry N Abrams, NY 2005
Price:US $75.00
ISBN: 0-8109-4330-1
This is one hefty, artistic volume filled with easy to read informative
text and many beautiful close up pictures of Asian embroideries from
the past to modern day including fine examples of the author's own
needle.
This beautifully done book is worth every penny (one can get this at
discount too).
A copy of this book makes a perfect partner with the author's previous
volume, Painting with a Needle 2002 that showed the "how-to's" of Asian
stitches.
Between these two books one can learn quite a lot about Asian design,
culture and needlework. Even for someone like myself who grew up
surrounded by Chinese needleworks has learned something about other
Asian cultures, the different clothing styles, types of needlework and
history behind it.
Having this book is similar to being given a private guided tour of
Asian arts & embroideries.....a real treat to see the pics many of
which have never been seen before along with a continuing commentary on
what one is seeing.
One picture shows the author standing with the director of the Chinese
Suzhou Embroidery Institute holding a side stretcher bar that's
probably almost as high as the first story of an average house!
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I've been wondering why many of us in the US using frames stitch
upright with the needlework frame parallel to one's body compared to
the professional Asian stitchers that will stitch downwards into the
fabric stretched across the frame similar to a table.
I've also noticed the same way of stitching downwards in the Lessage
embroidery house where they make those famous beaded appliques and
trims.
to be useful in laying flat stitches instead of the usual up in the air
stitching.....I stitch both ways depending what I'm doing.

Nice to see you again Lula. The book certainly does sound amazing. I'm not too into embroidery but this particular book sounds like a very interesting trip thru history. Not quite sure I understand what the downward method of stitching is ... I sit with my scroll bars across my lap - no floor stand - rather than having my needlework in a \\\ position. Is that as clear as mud? :-))
Sharon (N.B.) ............................................................................ ...

Hi Sharon,
I think you "got" it....most of us stitch on an angled frame facing us as we're sitting upright while these professional embroiderers stitch with the frame parallel to the floor......as if eating dinner on top of the frame to use a drastic example.
Made me wonder why many professional stitchers in needlework studios work this way? For myself, I did notice doing flat stitches was more comfortable in this position.........but like everything, each to their own comfy method.

Sitting upright? No, I prefer sprawled on the couch with the frame balanced on a raised knee.

You've described me perfectly. Not very elegant, but comfortable for me. Lucille/

Well good, I guess I did 'get' it - that's what I do - and it's what I find most comfortable. I've had a floor stand of sorts for years (bought it at a yard sale) but it's just not for me - it seems like work and that's not much fun - I'm sure we all have enough of that in our lives as it is. :-)) When I'm stitching, I remind myself of a man who used to be on a tv show here many moons ago - it was called the Bunkhouse Boys - one of the guitar players was blind and he laid his guitar across his knees and played away. One of his favourite songs was 'Ask A Stupid Question' - gee, my memory is pretty good for an old girl. :-)) Maybe his influence stuck in my head till I started stitching - who knows?
Sharon (N.B.) ............................................................................ .

I lean back in my recliner, and stitch in Q-snaps. Usually with a dog draped across my ankles. -- Jere

My first thought is ouch that would hurt, then I remember that you have dachshunds.
Cheryl On 9/10/05 8:08 PM, in article mAKUe.3749$ snipped-for-privacy@tornado.texas.rr.com,

Would that have been Fred McKenna? He also played on Sing Along Jubile with Bill Langstroth and Catherine McKinnon etc. Good east coast music!
Mavia

I believe that's the same guy - I loved that silly song he sang - silly but so true of silly questions people ask too.
Sharon (N.B.) ............................................................................ ......