casalguidi embroidery

That pretty much describes it - it used to be white on white (think Hardanger) but now I have seen it done with all colours. I still think white on white is very lovely as well as traditional, something like B/W as opposed to colour photography, you need a lot of form to stand out in monochrome.

I think lumping it in with stumpwork is a bit of a misnomer. It is raised, but it also incorporates counted work, trailings. And it uses a few techniques to create baubles which hang free. I was fascinated by the work and did my first piece quite a few years ago. It is time consuming, but the results are gorgeous.

Unlike stumpwork, you can actually *use* the pieces. They are sturdy. There's a great book on Casalguidi: "Casalguidi Style Linen Embroidery" by Effie Mitrofanis which I picked up at Lacis (who also publishes it). I purchased it because it was authentic. It's worth learning for some "fiber art" techniques which can be used in your own creations. I'd do at least one project.

Dianne

Thanks for the reference which looks interesting.

Online searches found copies for around $30. After a few disappointing online purchases, I need to be able to leaf through a tome before buying it. A quick search of my library system didn't turn up anything by 'Effie'; I'll see if they can get any of her works via interlibrary loan.

If anyone's got a copy that they want to part with, contact me off list.