I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch remember the '80s? Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on All Rights Reserved. The folks behind Antique Pattern Library do a fantastic job scanning and cataloging a whole variety of needlework books, and many of them are excellent old embroidery books.
Browsing can be a bit like falling into the Black Hole of Oblivion, only to emerge to a day half-gone. All the books are free for downloading, although you can support APL by donating, if you wish — there are buttons on the site. The books are in PDF format, which means you should have the latest version of Adobe Reader on your computer to successfully download and view the books.
Your best bet — the easiest way — to view the PDFs successfully every time is to use Chrome. Collectors club books free download might consider installing Chrome to use as an alternative browser when visiting APL, if you plan to visit there often.
The links below will take you directly to the PDFs on Antique Pattern Library, so if you have difficulties opening them, check your software and your browser.
Le Dessinateur de Broderies — PDF — This one, in French, is mostly a lace-related book lots of lace designs for embroidered lacesthe designs and drawings can be used or manipulated for surface embroidery as well.
The book is mostly design. Motifs pour Broderies Part 1 and Part 2 — Part 2 has a great collection of line drawings of the embroidery motifs in the collectors club books free download. Many of them would make a great springboard for further design ideas.
The designs in this book are perfectly suited to hand embroidery. Some are quite charming and would adapt well into redwork and other surface techniques. Therese Dillmont — catalog list — Any of her books are worth browsing! I collectors club books free download this little list provides you with some stitching inspiration, or at least with a pleasant weekend diversion. Your email address will not be published. Notify me of replies via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.
Each time I click on one of the links you have above, I am asked for a password. No, no membership is required. And not just books for embroiderers — there are loads of crochet and tatting patterns, for example.
The enthusiastic people who run it rely on our donations to keep the site going, so if you find something wonderful on there, please give something if you can and support them. Perfect for inspiration and my skim-browsing has already given me ideas and there were at least two designs I think I can utilize. The weekend hopefully will provide time for more thorough browsing. The search tip was appreciated also.
Thanks again! I collectors club books free download browse the list of books you have recommended above. Thanks so much for sharing this information I think you can add computer whizz to your many talants.
I hope you have a great weekend. Love, love, love APL! APL runs on donations, and it is a tremendously useful resource; definitely worth dropping a buck or ten into the bucket. What a fantastic resource. I have two of the D. Motifs Pour Broderies books that I picked up decades ago, and have always wondered whether others were still available.
Well, here they are, along with so many other fantastic resources. Thanks so much for sharing! Dear Marie, Danke, the deutch book is beautifull. Thank you for the links, french book are write in english! Never mind, I looooove Antique Pattern Library. Thanks Mary for sharing this website. Also, I love your stitch tutorials. They have really helped the quality of my work. Dear Mary, Thank you very much for these tips!
The goldwork book is a real collectors club books free download. Have a nice day, Jessica. APL is a great resource but I get bogged down sometimes with the volume of amazing old books there are to browse. Thanks for the links to these gems! Oh collectors club books free download goodness, Mary.
I have spent sooo much time looking for needle lace designs, and here I have them handed to me in one great big collection le dessinateur de broderies.
Thank you! I love in Anands sewing book the little Chinese boy flying his butterfly kite. I am very tempted to stitch himso sweet! Thankyou for sharing :. For people looking at this on an iPad, you will not be able to look at anything that requires Flash Player. Try downloading the Puffin app free from the App Store. Thank you for all the ideas! My head is swimming. The link to the Antique Pattern Library was wonderful.
Just spent over a half hour willingly lost in all the possibilities before me. So glad I found your site. I am searching for two books that are no longer in print: by Jennifer Rochester. Mary Corbet writer and founder. Daily Email Newsletter. Connect with Mary. Types of Hand Embroidery. Pictures of Hand Embroidery. Archives Tags pictures embroidery tips and tricks needlework pictures Embroidery Projects See All Tags.
Ad 9: Search Press. Ad 7: Haystack. Ad 3: Thistle Threads. Ad 2: Tres Chic Stitchery. Ad 6: Inspirations Collectors club books free download. Try a different browser Your best bet — the easiest way — to view the PDFs successfully every time is to use Chrome. If you get lost in the Black Hole of Oblivion, give a holler! Enjoy the weekend! Tags embroidery resources free embroidery patterns online needlework books.
Leave A Comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Regards Anita Simmance. Curse you Mary! I was collectors club books free download to get some work done. What a treasure you are. Thank you for always keeping us busy! Again, Mary, a collectors club books free download Thank you. You make the homework for us lazy girls like me…. Thank you, Mary. Another reason to stay up way too late.
Oh, Mary, Mary! I did get lost for about six hours. It was lovely. Thank you, Lolita. Previous Previous post: Stitch Fun! Fully Beaded Drizzle Stitch.