We now distribute for Vetty Creations from Australia

Books currently in print:

Elegant Hardanger Embroidery

Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery

and Mountmellick Embroidery

The Left-Handed Embroiderer's Companion  

The Right-Handed Embroiderer's Companion 

Portuguese Whitework Embriodery - AVAILABLE NOW!

 

Portuguese Whitework: Bullion Embroidery from Guimarães

By Yvette Stanton

Portuguese Whitework is an exquisite style of needlework from Guimarães in northern Portugal, which will inspire and delight you. In this historical style of whitework, drawn thread work and bullion embroidery combine to to create needlework of exquisite beauty.

The benefits of 'Portuguese Whitework'

You will learn

how to stitch beautiful drawn thread work with the assistance of clear, thorough instructions
how to create perfect bullions and eyelets with detailed step-by-step instructions, and lots of hints and tips
about the history and background of Guimarães embroidery
how to make ten attractive projects ranging from small to large, for beginners through to experienced stitchers.

 

 

The Right-Handed Embroiderer's Companion: a step-by-step stitch dictionary will help you to learn and master over 170 embroidery stitches including their variations. With clear step-by-step instructions, accompanied by diagrams showing you what to do, it is very hard to go wrong. Examples of each stitch will inspire you to use them creatively and experimentally in your embroidery. Counted thread, needlepoint and surface embroidery stitches are carefully explained, with many helpful diagrams and photos.

Because The Right-Handed Embroiderer's Companion is so easy to use and understand, you will gain the confidence you need to create beautiful works of embroidery

 

The Left-Handed Embroiderer's Companion

AVAILABLE NOW!

Are you frustrated by right-handed embroidery instructions and having to mentally flip them, use a mirror, or substitute right for left and vice versa? Be frustrated no more! Written by a left-hander, this stitch dictionary shows you the LEFT way to do embroidery.

Written in Yvette Stanton's clear, step-by-step style, this book will be your constant embroidery companion as it shows how to do over 170 stitches comfortably and sensibly, for you as a left-handed embroiderer. Counted thread, needlepoint and surface embroidery stitches are carefully explained, with many helpful diagrams and photos.

The Left-Handed Embroiderer's Companion: A step-by-step stitch dictionary has 160 information-packed pages, containing the instructions for over 170 embroidery stitches including variations.
Each stitch is taught in fully diagrammed, step-by-step format
Clear diagrams to help you see exactly how to work the stitch, and concise written instructions explain each step
Photos of each finished stitch so you can see exactly what it should look like
Vibrant inspiration photos for each stitch to show you creative ways to use them
Diagrams showing how right-handers work each stitch, to compare the right- and left-handed methods. This is very useful for right-handed teachers of left-handed students
Hints and tips to help you with tricky steps and techniques
A comprehensive range of surface stitches, counted thread stitches and needlepoint stitches including: antwerp edging, armenian edging, back, basque, braid edging, breton, bonnet stitch, bullion knot, buttonhole, cable, cable chain, cable plait, cast on, ceylon, chain, chevron, chinese knot, colonial knot, coral knot, couching, cretan, cross, diamond, diamond upright, drizzle, eyelets, feather, florentine, fly, four-sided, french knot, glove, gobelin, hedebo, hem, herringbone, hollie, jessica, long and short, loop, montenegrin, mountmellick, mountmellick thorn, needleweaving bars, norwich, nun, palestrina knot, parma, pearl, pin, plaited braid, queen, raised fishbone, rhodes, rope, rosette, running, satin, scottish, scroll, seed, sheaf filling, shisha, smockers' knot, split, spider web, stem, tent, thorn, trellis, turkey work, vandyke, wheat ear, woven picots... and many variations of these embroidery stitches!
 The Left-Handed Embroiderer's Companion sample pages
Sample pages from The Left-Handed Embroiderer's Companion by Yvette Stanton

Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature (2nd edition)
by Yvette Stanton and Prue Scott

 

104 pages
2 full size pattern sheets
Paperback
7 3/4 x 10 3/4 inches (195 x 275 mm)
600+ full color illustrations and photos
17 beautiful Mountmellick projects
Fully revised and expanded 2nd edition published Feb 2008
ISBN 978-0-9757677-2-6

Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature

By Yvette Stanton and Prue Scott

Fully revised and expanded 2nd edition

Mountmellick Embroidery is highly textured floral whitework embroidery that was first developed around 1825. While it is sometimes referred to as Montmellick, Mt Mellick, Mountmellic, or even Montmellic, Mountmellick is the correct spelling as it is taken from the name of the town Mountmellick in County Laois (pronounced leash) in Ireland. It employs highly textured stitching to depict the plants and flowers that grew around the town. It uses white thread on white fabic, and has a characteristic knitted fringe that edges the work.

This fully revised and expanded, full color, step-by-step guide with over 600 clear diagrams and photos, will lead you from beginner to advanced Mountmellick stitcher.

 Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature

The benefits of 'Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature'

Discover what it is like to study as if these wonderful teachers were at your side, as you learn with this comprehensive Mountmellick book:
what Mountmellick embroidery is
how to create the stitches of Mountmellick embroidery
how to knit the characteristic fringes to edge your Mountmellick embroidery
hints and tips that you normally only learn in classes
the history of Mountmellick embroidery
how to use your skills to work 17 beautiful Mountmellick projects

Inside 'Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature'

"Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature" has 104 full color pages, and two pattern sheets. It is greatly expanded from the first edition and is packed with useful information:

 Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature sample pages
Introductory information explains what Mountmellick embroidery is, its rich history, and has examples of historical Mountmellick embroidery.
Chapter 1 contains step-by-step instructions (with diagrams and photos) for the embroidery stitches of Mountmellick. The supplies needed to make your own Mountmellick embroidery are explained. This edition contains additional instructions for tricky techniques such as turning corners with difficult stitches. There are photographs of each finished stitch.
Chapter 2 contains step-by-step instructions (with diagrams and photos) for authentic knitted fringes that are characteristic of Mountmellick embroidery. The supplies needed are explained. This edition contains an addtional knitted fringe technique, and each method is detailed with step-by-step instructions.
Chapter 3 has seventeen gorgeous Mountmellick projects, two of which have been created especially for this new edition (see below). There is a wide range of of projects to suit all tastes, applications and levels of expertise. Each project has a color photograph, and there are close-up photos of each motif.
lily and forget-me-not nightdress case
Lily and forget-me-not nightdress case		 Mountmellick blackberry doily
Blackberry doily

With so much easy to follow information, beautiful Irish whitework embroidery has never been so easy to master. You will save so much time and effort in your quest to discover and master Mountmellick embroidery because "Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature" has all this information in one place. This book makes it easy to learn all you need to know, and shows you exactly how to do it. You will need no other Mountmellick embroidery book.

"It's the complete package, no classes required: clear, precise instructions, beautiful patterns and a fascinating history. This book is truly a gem." JF, Australia

Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature by Yvette Stanton and Prue Scott, provides a thorough course in the beautiful, historical technique of Mountmellick embroidery, and you will refer to it again and again.

Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery: Merezhka Poltavska Elegant Hardanger Embroidery: A step-by-step manual for beginners to advanced by Yvette Stanton

Hardanger embroidery is a whitework counted thread embroidery originating from Norway.

64 pages  Paperback 195 x 275 mm 170+ step-by-step illustrations 15 elegant Hardanger projects 1st edition published 2002, 2nd edition   
     published 2005 ISBN 978-0-9757677-0-2 or 0-9757677-0-4
Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery book cover Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery: Merezhka Poltavska by Yvette Stanton

Merezhka Poltavska is a whitework counted thread embroidery originating from Poltava in Ukraine. 

48 pages  Paperback 195 x 275 mm 300+ full color illustrations and photos 2 learning samplers and 7 beautiful projects Published 2007 ISBN 978-0-9757677-1-9

For more information, please read on

Dinky Dyes main page

About Yvette Stanton and Vetty Creations

Vetty Creations are publishers of quality step-by-step needlework books. They specialize in teaching and thereby preserving historical forms of whitework embroidery.

Yvette Stanton is a respected Australian embroidery teacher and award-winning needlewoman. She particularly loves whitework embroidery. Yvette has written three books, covering Hardanger embroidery, Ukrainian drawn thread work (merezhka), and Mountmellick embroidery.

Yvette first learned Hardanger embroidery in secondary school, and immediately loved it. In 2000 she entered the Nordic Needle Annual Hardanger Design Contest and was fortunate to win! As a result of her success she wrote "Elegant Hardanger Embroidery".

After writing "Elegant Hardanger Embroidery", Yvette learned of Mountmellick embroidery, a floral whitework embroidery from Ireland. She realized that there was very little information available about it, so decided to write a book on it. With her twin sister Prue Scott, who is an accomplished botanical artist, she wrote "Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature".

After completing the Mountmellick book, Yvette looked for another form of embroidery to explore, and heading back to counted embroidery, she found Merezhka Poltavska, which is drawn thread work from the Ukrainian city of Poltava. "Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery" was the product of her research.

Yvette's books are written for absolute beginners and advanced stitchers alike. She presents information in a clear and concise manner, with many, many diagrams and photos. Stitchers love Yvette's books because they are so easy to understand and follow. There is also a range of beautiful projects in each book that you can make for yourself, or as a gift for someone special.

Yvette teaches Hardanger, Mountmellick and Merezhka embroidery at shops and guild groups around Australia, and is an accredited tutor with the NSW Embroiderers Guild (Australia).

Elegant Hardanger Embroidery: a step-by-step manual for beginners to advanced

By Yvette Stanton

You can do Hardanger embroidery!

Hardanger embroidery is a counted thread embroidery, originating from Norway. It is often thought of as the next step on from counted cross stitch, for those who want a new challenge.

Have you always wanted to try Hardanger embroidery but thought it looked too difficult? Or have you mastered the basics and want new challenges? This manual will take you step by step from novice to advanced stitcher, with helpful diagrams and hints and tips at every stage. There are stunning Hardanger projects, graded beginner, intermediate and advanced, to guide you to your next level of expertise. "Elegant Hardanger Embroidery" is a book you will refer to again and again.

 Elegant Hardanger Embroidery book covers
Covers of 1st and 2nd editions
The benefits of 'Elegant Hardanger Embroidery'

Discover what it is like to study as if this wonderful teacher were at your side, as you learn:

   -
 how to easily create the stitches of Hardanger embroidery
   -
 how to work those harder stitches that are not explained in beginners books
   -
 that there is no need to be afraid of cutting the fabric threads
   -
 hints and tips that you normally only learn in classes
   -
 how to fix mistakes
   -
 how to use your skills to work elegant Hardanger projects
Inside 'Elegant Hardanger Embroidery'

"Elegant Hardanger Embroidery: a step-by-step manual for beginners to advanced" has 64 pages, containing three information packed chapters.
 

 
 Chapter 1: Before you begin details all the materials used to create Hardanger, many of which you will probably already have in your stash! It explains how to read a Hardanger chart, and about the order of the stitching. There are tips for left-handed stitchers and on caring for your embroidery.
 
 Chapter 2: Stitch instructions and techniques works step-by-step through each stitch and technique required for learning Hardanger embroidery. The steps have text instructions and a clear diagram to show you what you should be doing. There are many helpful hints and tips to enable you to get the best results.
 
 Chapter 3: Hardanger projects has fifteen beautiful projects to practice your skills. The projects, ranging from large to small have varying applications, including a table runner, hand towel, cushions, gift cards, sampler, and a scissors case. With gorgeous photographs, you won't be able to resist them. Each project has a clear chart with step-by-step instructions detailing preparation, embroidery, construction and finishing.
Elegant Hardanger Embroidery sample spreads

With so much easy to follow information, beautiful embroidery has never been so easy to master. You will save so much time and effort in your quest to discover Hardanger embroidery because "Elegant Hardanger Embroidery" has all this information in one place. This Hardanger embroidery book makes it easy to learn all you need to know, and shows you exactly how to do it.

Elegant Hardanger Embroidery: a step-by-step manual for beginners to advanced by Yvette Stanton, provides a thorough course in a beautiful, historical  embroidery technique. You will refer to this comprehensive Hardanger book again and again.

 


Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery: Merezhka Poltavska

By Yvette Stanton

Allow leading Australian embroidery designer and needlework teacher, Yvette Stanton, to be your personal tutor as she teaches you the basics and beyond of this historic Ukrainian embroidery technique. This full color, step-by-step guide with over 300 clear diagrams and photos, will lead you from beginner to advanced merezhka stitcher.

What is merezhka?
Merezhka is the Ukrainian word for drawn thread work. It is a general term that includes many drawn thread techniques from different regions. Merezhka Poltavska is from the Ukrainian city of Poltava. It uses a unique stitching technique called "layerings", combined with hemstitching. 

merezhka (in Cyrillic characters) is how the word merezhka is written in Cyrillic characters. It is also sometimes transliterated as "myreshka" or "myreschka". 

"How do you pronounce it?" is a question that many people ask, so you're not alone in wondering! Mer (as in mermaid) - ezh (as in pleasure) - ka (as in cut).

 Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery
The benefits of 'Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery'

Discover what it is like to study as if this wonderful teacher were at your side, as you learn:

 
 how to create the two main Merezhka Poltavska Ukrainian embroidery techniques
 
 how to easily work advanced techniques
 
 hints and tips normally only available in hands-on classes
 
 how to fix mistakes and improve your stitching
 
 about historical merezhka from Poltava, Ukraine
 
 how to use your skills to create a variety of projects in this elegant form of Ukrainian embroidery
Inside 'Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery'

“Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery: Merezhka Poltavska” has 48 full color pages, containing five information packed chapters:
 

 
 Chapter 1 helps you learn about the rich heritage of Merezhka Poltavska from historical examples of Ukrainian embroidery. It explains all the materials used to create merezhka, many of which you will probably already have in your stash!
 
 Chapter 2 is a step-by-step learning sampler, teaching the basic technique of Merezhka Poltavska. Most steps have text instructions, a clear diagram to show you what you should be doing, and a full color photograph to show you exactly what it looks like. As a special bonus, there is information specifically for left-handed stitchers.
 
 Chapter 3 is another step-by-step learning sampler, teaching a variation on the basic technique. It too includes our three-fold method of instructions (text, diagram and photo), with the helpful hints and tips that you have come to expect from Vetty Creations’ books.
 
 Chapter 4 uses the three-fold method for you to learn extra techniques, such as how to turn corners and how to make traditional Ukrainian embroidery hems.
 
 Chapter 5 has seven beautiful projects to practice your skills. The projects, ranging from large to small have varying applications, including a table runner, bookmark, bag, and a scissors case. With gorgeous full color photographs, you won’t be able to resist them. Each project has a large, clear chart with step-by-step instructions detailing preparation, embroidery, construction and finishing.
Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery sample pages

With so much easy to follow information, beautiful embroidery has never been so easy to master. You will save so much time and effort in your quest to discover Ukrainian embroidery because “Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery: Merezhka Poltavska” has all this information in one place. This book makes it easy to learn all you need to know, and shows you exactly how to do it.

Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery: Merezhka Poltavska by Yvette Stanton, provides a thorough course in a beautiful, historical Ukrainian embroidery technique, and you will refer to it again and again.

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