We were impressed with this book the minute we saw it. It has everything you could hope for in an instructional dye book! Max Hamrick is the weaving specialist and dyer for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. He has been dyeing professionally for over 34 years. This is a must have book for your textile library.

• HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by Silent Stitches

• Full of Historical Information! Enjoyable reading!

• Non-toxic,Organic Botanical Dye Recipes for Wool, Cotton, or Linen fabrics, Textiles and Yarns!

• 9 Natural Color Sources are blended to create 14+colors!

• Informative, Educational, Instructive & BEAUTIFUL!

• From the American Quilters Society (c) 2013

• by Max Hamrick

• Spectacular color photography by Barbara Temple Lombardi

• Soft Cover 95 pages  8.5" x 11"

$24.95

Wool Applique ~folk art by Rebekah L. Smith

96 pages with patterns & pullouts

8.5" x 11" Soft Cover

Traditional Projects Inspired by 19th Century American Life

14 Projects! Bed covers, wallhangings,table runners!

Suitable for beginners to expert crafters!

$28.95

A Day at Sunny Brook

(Click to enlarge.)

by Maggie Bonanomi (c) 2012

~Projects to Recall Home Life in the 1800's~

• Primitive craft projects include: Dolls, Mending Baskets, Chatelaine, Pincushions,Bedding,Fireplace Screen...and more!

• If you love antiques & primitives...you will adore this book!

• Soft cover 96 pages 8.5" x 11"

$24.95

With these hands

(Click to enlarge.)

by Maggie Bonanomi (c) 2008

• 19th Century Primitive Craft projects

• Primitive Hand Appliqué

• Rug Hooking

• Cross Stitch

• Using: Natural Fibers, Wool, Velvets, Linen

• Soft cover 128 pages 8.5" x 11"

$24.95

Book of Days

(Click to enlarge.)

by Maggie Bonanomi (c) 2011

• Create your own primitive book full of days!

• Design a calendar, scrapbook, journal etc.

• Make a book for yourself or as a gift!

• Instructions & ideas for creating your "book of days" !

• Soft cover 32 pages 8.5" x11"

$14.95

• Detailed instructions, tips and secrets to assist you in designing  your own reproduction antique quilt!

• Focus on Quilts from 1800's to 1930.

• Soft cover 8.5" x 11" ~ 80 pages

• Highly recommended by Silent Stitches...you will love this book!

$24.95

• Fabulous Quilt book!

• Quilts & Sewing Accessories by the Era

• Over a dozen quilt patterns...including 6 doll quilts & a soldiers cot quilt!

• Tokens of Affection: Pillow Pincushion, Civil War Letter Pocket & Needle Case

• Appliqué Sewing Box

• Patterns & Instructions

• Full of wonderful antique photographs & historical information!

• Beautiful color photographs throughout!

• Soft Cover; 8.5" x 11"; 79 pages

• Highly Recommended by Silent Stitches!...you will love this book!

$24.95

*Designs Include: Alexander's Bean Pot, Stars to Freedom, Edward's Quest, Papa's Birds, Michael's Victory, Hooker's Hat Patch, Lincoln's Logs, Brass Buttons, Miss Mary's Pinwheels, Mo's Suspenders, Mary Smith's Dishrag, Tomorrow Scarlet, Grandpap's Cards, Minnie's Moustache, Martin's Pennies.

(Out of print issues may be available. Click here.)

If you are a thimble collector, this is a "must-have" book!  10 years of research and dedication went in to the creation of this fabulous book. You will find color photos of hundreds of gold thimbles, historical information, vintage ads, manufacturers, maker's marks...and more!

                     $22.95 While supply lasts.

(A special thank you to our dear friend Gale for telling us about this wonderful book!)

Miller's Sewing Accessories

~A Collector's Guide~

by Elaine Gaussen © Octopus Publishing Group Ltd. 2001.

Soft cover 64 pages. 8 1/4" x 5 3/4".  Invaluable guide to collecting sewing accessories. Advice, hints, materials, & origins of sewing tools. Packed with information. Wonderful color photographs. Prices ranges included at the end of each description.

$9.95

This book was written to accompany a sampler exhibit which was held at the Saco Museum in Maine in early 2013. The book contains photos, descriptions, and history of more than 100 Maine samplers.

Copies of this book may still be available for purchase directly from the museum. Click on the book cover above to go directly to the Saco Museum website to purchase this book. (You will leave our web site.) All proceeds benefit the Saco Museum.

Sampler Exhibit Catalog

Wrought by Her Hand

New England Samplers 1749-1884

presented by The Beverly Historical Society & Museum, Beverly Massachusetts

• Cardstock Cover

• 24 pages/color photos

• 8.5" x 7"

*$6.95

*Price includes a $2.00 donation to the museum. All proceeds benefit TBHS&M

Tokens of Love
Quaker Pin Balls

by Erica Uten

Patterns for small knitted decorative balls as once made by Quaker School girls as gifts. These were always decorated with patterns and words of sentiment.

$37.95 (Email your interest.)

The Borris Lace Collection 

A Unique Irish Needlelace

©Marie Laurie & Annette Meldrum 2010

Marie & Annette visited Borris House in 2006. The Lace collection had never been cataloged or published & was unknown in Ireland.

The ladies took on the monumental task of researching & cataloging the collection.

The book is divided into three chapters:

• Part I ~The Untold Story: Historical aspects, modern Irish laces, types of lace, Origins of lace, The Borris Lace Industry, The Ballantrae Lace Industry, Who were the Borris Lace makers?, The ICA revival of Irish Lace, Why is Borris Lace so little known?

• Part II~ The Borris Lace Collection: Household Linen, Clothing, Family Lace, Stock Samplers, Business records & stationery, Unused materials, Patterns, The lace, Designs & motifs, Stitch Techniques, Designs elements, Outline of stitches.

• Part III~ Projects: Round shamrock coaster, Square shamrock pincushion, Cushion with square shamrock insertions, Square shamrock handkerchief corner, Bookmark, Square trademark d'oyley, Round floral d'oyley, Round floral d'oyley, Handkerchief with fir tree edging, Round crag d'oyley, Small d'oyley, Crag-edged hand towel, Shamrock placemat, Complex shamrock placemat, Fir Tree Collar, Pomegranate and tree of life table centre

• Also: Stitch Glossary, Borris Lace Collection Catalogue, Bibliography, Suppliers list, Endnotes, Index, Author profiles!

Wonderful photographs! A fascinating book, well researched & extremely enjoyable! Highly recommended by Silent Stitches!

Soft Cover; 8.5" x 11"; 128 pages

Special Price: $15.95

CROCHET DESIGNS Book

Lucet Braiding

Variations on Renaissance Cord

by Claire Fuller

• Spiral Bound 8.5" x 11"

• Illustrations & Instructions

• 32 pages

$11.95

Lucets available here:

Patterns of Childhood

by Rebecca Quinton

Samplers from the Glasgow Museums' Collection,

Soft-cover

$22.95

Tambour Work by Yusai Fukuyama

Tambour embroidery is done using a chain stitch technique. Many forms are explored in this book. Includes basic techniques for thread, bead & net embroidery. The author also includes a wonderful collection of designs in both traditional & contemporary designs. 120 pages, 99 photographs,194 diagrams and pattern drawings. Books on Tambour embroidery are difficult to find. This one is a fabulous.

(Click on the photos below to view some pages from the book.)

(c) 1987 Yusai Fukuyama   Reprinted 2007

Soft Cover  9 1/2'' x 6 3/4"

$24.95

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You may also be interested in:

Click here to view embroidery Stands

Visit our Needlework Tool page for Tambour Hook sets

Red Book of Sampler Stitches  

©2003 Eileen J. Bennett/The Sampler House

This is an amazing informative guide of 17th Century sampler stitches. Diagrams and historical information. Includes various ways of working the stitches as well. This book is a must-have.  Spiral Bound. 62 pages

Highly recommended by Silent Stitches.

 $28.95

The Evolution of Samplers

 ©2000  Eileen J. Bennett/The Sampler House

...Embroidery and Sampler Time Line...

263 Entries with Annotations covering a Four-Hundred Year History of Sampler Making

An amazing look into the evolution of samplers from Early Civilization, 2000 BC  to 20th Century

Soft Cover, Spiral Bound; 8 ½" x 11"  50 pages

$17.95

From The Archives....

Compiled by Eileen J. Bennett © 2002/The Sampler House

  A collection of 18 out-of-print articles on Old Embroideries & Samplers dating from 1925 to 2002.

8 ½" x 11"; Soft Cover, Spiral bound  55 pages

Interesting reading!

     $24.95

 CROSS STITCH

Antique Style

SAMPLERS

Jane Greenoff

$24.95

 Sampler Motifs and Symbolism

by Patrica Andrle & Lesley Rudnicki © 2003; Published by Hillside Samplings

  If you ever wondered what the symbolic meanings of the motifs meant then this book will answer those questions.  A wonderful "dictionary" of motifs. A detailed list of 135 motifs. Also contains: A reproduction Scottish sampler and four new traditional samplers with complete graphs & instructions for each: I. Elenora Ainslie c.1825; II. Adam & Eve Sampler; III. Dutch Windmill Sampler; IV. 19th Century Mourning Sampler; V. 17th Century Honeysuckle Sampler.  Forward written by Merry Cox. 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Hardcover 95 pages; 8½ x 11"

 $34.95

Painted With Thread: The Art of American Embroidery

  (c) 2001 Peabody Essex Museum/ Paula Bradstreet Richter.   

 "A publication that is a joyous celebration of extraordinary richness of needlework treasures" Betty Ring, American needlework historian and author. Soft cover: 11 1/2" x 9" 157 pages.
Glorious color photographs. 

$29.95  ~ Limited Quantity Available!!!~

Samplers A to Z

by Pamela A. Parmal

Published in connection with an exhibit organized at the Museum of Fine Art, Boston. (c) 2000. 

Soft Cover; 9 1/2" x 8 3/4"; 64 pages; Beautiful Color Photographs.

Regular $17.95~Limited Quantity Available !!!~ SALE $5.95

Samplers.. How To Compare & Value

Written by two of America's leading sampler dealers & experts, authors Stephen & Carol Huber (c) 2002 Octopus Publishing Group Ltd.

Unique compare & contrast format. Professional appraisal secrets. Full color photographs of more than 120 samplers.  Price ranges for every item. Detailed instructions on how to assess style, condition, authenticity, and value. Expert advice on how to collect, display, and care for samplers.  We highly recommend this book.

Hardcover; 8" x 10½"; 176 pages

$27.50   SALE $19.95  (2 left in stock)

A Stitcher's Guide To Silk Threads by Kreinik

A very informative book on every aspect of using silk threads. 

Features:

• Needlework History

• Stitching Tips

• Stitch Library

• Stitch Glossary

• Full Color Photography of every Kreinik Silk Thread Color

• Mini Silk Garden project by Betsy Foster             

(Soft cover booklet)

$9.95 

©2011 by the DMC Corporation

Emma Broidery's Embroidery Stitch Tool ~ Book

• Learn basic embroidery skills

• How to select the right fabric, colors, threads, needles etc.

• Tips on threading needles & so much more!

• Wonderful color photos & illustrations!

• Starting & stopping

• Transferring Designs

• Compact size: 7" x 4.5"

• 48 pages! Heavy cardboard stock! Spiral Bound

Great gift idea for someone learning embroidery!

$9.95

Tatting Shuttles of American Collectors

by Heidi Nakayama © 2002

Illustrated book showing hundreds of tatting shuttles & accessories found in America. The book includes a chapter on U.S. Patents, as well as tips on identifying the materials that shuttles were made of. This book is a  "must have" for tatting shuttle and/sewing tool collectors! Very informative. We highly recommend this book.

Click to view contents:

First Edition/Soft Cover/115 pages 8 1/2'' x 6''

$34.95

Little Girl's Fancy Work

Edited by Flora Klickmann

© 2002

A wonderful reproduction of a book originally published in the early 20th Century under the same title by The Office of the "Girls Own Paper & Woman's Magazine", London.

This book would make a thoughtful gift for a special young lady interested in needlework crafts. Adorable projects such as: A Violet (tea) Cosy Cover, A Knitted Bonnet for Dolly, How to make a Pom-Pon, Making a Needlebook. An Apron for Mother (click photo below for a view of the index)

Hardcover/90 pages/9'' x 6 1/2''

$19.95

ABBIE IN STITCHES

by Cynthia Cotten

pictures by Beth Peck

© Cynthia Cotten 2006

Abbie Rogers is a little girl living in America in the early 1800's. Abbie is expected to work on her sampler but she would much rather read books than do needlework.

Finally! A book about samplers for young children. A wonderful book for a cross-stitcher or sampler enthusiast to share with a child!

Recommended for ages 6-10

Hardcover/ 28 pages/9" x 11"

$15.95

The Books Below Have Either Sold Out or Are Now Out-of-Print.

We will leave them here as a reference. We feel they are worth adding to your library if you can locate them.

We highly recommend these reference books extensively researched by Norma Spicer.  Unprecedented historical information written about noted English Thimble Makers from 1807- present.  Soft cover 8 1/4" x 5 3/4"; 48 pages; Black & white photographs.

#1. James Swann

#2.James Fenton

#3. Henry Griffith

#4. Iles

(OUT OF PRINT. Check our out-of-print books page to see if we have recently obtained any.)

Making Needlework Accessories Embroidered with Beads

by Carol Andrews ©2004

Create needlework accessories embellished with fine bead embroidery using step-by step instructions and detailed illustrations. Thimble slippers, needle cases, pin wheels & more!

ïClick on the cover photo to enlarge.

Soft Cover;128 pages; 8 1/4" x 9 1/2"

(Sold Out.)

 AMERICA'S PRINTED FABRICS 1770-1890 by Barbara Brackman

Another fabulous book by Barbara Brackman. In this book you will study quilts from 1770-1890.

• 8 projects inspired by antique quilts, made with today's reproduction fabrics.
• Insight into the social, technological, and fashion influences on past generations of quilt makers.
• Learn to identify vintage fabrics & quilts
• Learn to choose reproduction fabrics & patterns

© 2004 Barbara Brackman ; C&T Publishing

$29.95/Soft cover; 128 pages; 8 1/2" x 11"

(Sold Out.)

Tatting Shuttles Related Tools & Accessories

by Pam Palmer © 2003

Gorgeous color photographs throughout the book. Extremely well written & researched. An invaluable guide covering every aspect of tatting shuttles & related tools. We highly recommend this book as well as Pam's other Tatting book.

Soft Cover/ 90 pages/8 1/2'' x 11''

(Sold Out.)

Tatting by Pam Palmer

Tatting is the craft of making lace with a shuttle. This book traces the development of tatting from the eighteenth -century pastime of knotting, through its emergence as a craft in Victorian times, to more recent innovations. The text is illustrated with examples from museums and private collections. A description of the basic technique and elements of construction will assist the reader to recognize and identify tatting. Pam Palmer ©1996/2000

Soft cover/32 pages/ 5 3/4'' x 8 1/4''

(Sold Out.)

Guide to Lace and Linens by Elizabeth M. Kurella

Identification guide and ultimate reference book. Detailed descriptions along with close-up photographs of every type of lace you can imagine. We highly recommend this book. Publisher: Antique Trader Books. Elizabeth M. Kurella ©1998

(Sold Out.)

Virtue Leads & Grace Reveals

 Embroideries and Education in Antebellum South Carolina / Curious Works Press; York County Culture & Heritage Commission. Written by curator Patricia Veasey; Essay by Jaime Robinson.

This book focuses on schoolgirl samplers from the upstate Carolinas, made from the late 18th Century to the middle of the Civil War. Contains stories of the life & times of that period.

8 1/2" x 11"; 56 pages; 39 color plates; 7 black & white illustrations.

The catalog was prepared in conjunction with the exhibit of the same name, being held at the Museum of York County, Rock Hill, South Carolina, from March 8th to July 20th (2003). Visit the website for more information about the exhibit & related activities: www.yorkcounty.org

(Sold Out.)

Antique & Collectible Thimbles and Accessories          

by Averil Mathis (c) 1986 values updated: 1997.

Hardcover 11 1/4" x 8 1/2"; 182 pages. Gorgeous color photographs throughout. Includes: Thimble Collecting, Thimbles of Gold; Thimbles of Silver; Thimbles of Brass; Thimbles of Ivory; Thimbles of Pewter; Thimbles of China; Advertising Thimbles; Collectibles and Novelties; Thimble Cases & Holders; Mending Kits; Sewing Accessories; Hallmarks; Value Guide.  A *must have* for thimble collectors! One of our favorite books!

  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED/ Out of Print.

(Look for used copies on the out-of-print book page)   

Thimbles and Thimble Cases by Eleanor Johnson  40 pages, 39 color and 29 b/w illustrations

This book shows the charm of the humble thimble in all its variety, from simple workaday types to rarer and more exquisite examples that gave scope for artists and craftsmen, and indeed still do. It shows possibilities that exist for the collector, including the parallel subject of thimble holders. Previously published as a Shire Album, this new edition has been updated and illustrated throughout with new color and black and white photographs. 

(Sold Out.)

(Look for used copies on the out-of-print book page) 

Needlework and Embroidery Tools by Eleanor Johnson (c) 1999. Published in 2001 by Shire Publications.  Soft cover 8 1/4" x 5 3/4"; 40 pages. Contents include: Introduction; Needlework and related activities; Thimbles and Thimble Cases; Needlecases; Pincushions and emery cushions; Tape measures; Thread Holders, winders, waxers, and reel stands; Scissors; Miscellaneous accessories; Further reading; Places to visit.  

(Sold Out.)

(Look for used copies on the out-of-print book page) 

Thread Winders- A Collector's Guide by Diane Pelham Burn

The definitive guide to collecting thread winders.  Diane has one of the largest and most varied thread winder collections in the world. Color photographs of over 350 thread winders made of an astounding number of different materials. Diane has researched & compiled a wealth of information in this book. We highly recommend this book.

(Sold Out.)

(Look for used copies on the out-of-print book page) 

Sewing Tools & Trinkets- Volume 2  Collector's Identification & Value Guide by Helen Lester Thompson © 2002.  Hardcover: 11 1/4 x 8 3/4". Highly recommend. Over 230 beautiful color photographs throughout. 160 pages. Contents include: Sewing Stands, Kits, & Baskets; Darners & Clamps; Needles & Pins, Holders & Cushions; Thimbles & Holders; Thread: Holders, Winders, Spools & Stands; Assorted Tools & Toys; Scissors, Knives & Cutters, Tape Measures,Rulers & Gauges; Mauchline, Tartan & Tunbridge Ware; Chatelaines & Accessories; Sewing Tools: Representative Items of Collections...& more! No repeats from Volume 1...more Historical information, material dates or origin & many rare historical pieces.

    HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 

(Sold Out.)

(Look for used copies on the out-of-print book page)   

Sewing Tools & Trinkets /Volume 1- Collector's Identification & Value Guide by Helen Lester Thompson (c) 1997.  Hardcover: 11 1/4 x 8 3/4". Highly recommend. Beautiful color photographs throughout. 160 pages. Contents include: 1)Pins & Needles; 2) Thimbles; 3) Chatelaines & Accessories; 4)Sewing Kits, Boxes, and Baskets; 5)Scissors; 6) Tape Measures, Gauges, and Rulers; 7)Darners; 8)Lacemaking Tools and Accessories; 9) Thread Holders and Sewing Clamps; 10) Sewing Machines.  Be sure to order Volume 2 also! (see below)

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

(Sold Out.)

(Look for used copies on the out-of-print book page)   

Discovering Old Buttons  by Primrose Peacock © 1978

 Shire Publications. Soft Cover: 7" x 4 1/2"; 80 pages. Black & White photographs. Contents: 1.The History of Buttons 2. Metal Buttons 3.Enamelled Metal Buttons 4.Glass Buttons 5.Fabric Buttons 6.Ceramic Buttons 7.Horn, Bone & Wooden Buttons 8. Shell Buttons 9. Buttons made from other materials. 10. Synthetic buttons  11. Button backs 12. Where to see old buttons; Glossary; Bibliography; The British Button Society; Index.

(Sold Out.)

(Look for used copies on the out-of-print book page)   

Buttons  by Alan and Gillian Meredith © 2000

A Shire Publication. Soft Cover: 8 1/2" x 5 3/4"; 40 pages.  Contents: Introduction, Dating Buttons, Button History, Materials-metals, Materials-metals; decorations & finishes, Materials-non metals, Collecting and display, Further reading. Wonderful color and Black & white photographs.

(Sold Out.)

(Look for used copies on the out-of-print book page)   

Samplers by Pamela Clabburn  ©1998 

Soft Cover : 8 1/2" x 5 3/4"; 39 pages. Shire Publications. Color and Black & White photographs. From the back cover:  " This book traces the history of samplers in Britain from the late sixteenth century onwards and includes examples of long, darning, map, school, stitch & plain sewing samplers. 

(Sold Out.)

(Look for used copies on the out-of-print book page)   

 Ohio Is My Dwelling Place Schoolgirl Embroideries, 1800-1850 

by Sue Studebaker

A must have for your sampler library! Destined to become a much sought after & valuable book. 320 pages; 8 1/2" x 11"; 216 photos, 120 in color! Sue's amazing book documents the samplers created in Ohio before 1850, the girls who made them, their families, and their teachers.  Lavishly illustrated. Contents include: List of Maps; Foreword by Kimberly Smith Ivey; Preface; Acknowledgements; Introduction. PART 1 Southern Ohio; PART 2 Central Ohio; PART 3 Northern Ohio; PART 4 Victorian Impulses.    

(Sold Out.)

(Look for used copies on the out-of-print book page)