BOOK REVIEW: KAREN ELDER, NEEDLEPOINT COLLECTION - IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM- ANYA PUBLISHERS ( MANCHESTER) 1992

This is not the first book reviewed in this blog that is themed in the historical background and value of needlepoint household items on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum , however you will notice that it is the first published by the Rowan Stitching Company ( https://www.rowandean.com/ ) .

Fine stitchery, kits of all sizes with complete accessories ( needle, threads, backing fabric and card for mounting) and the advantage that is made in Britain and Cov-19 free , are few of the attributives you will find to visit and purchase kits directly from the site https://www.rowandean.com/

You will find that KAREN ELDER,  NEEDLEPOINT COLLECTION - IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM is now an antiquarian relic, and is out of stock in shops like Waterstones https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/VA-Needlepoint-Collection-by-Karen-Elder-Victoria-and-Albert-Museum/9781854701244  , however you can contact the company above or Victoria and Albert Museum if you want to purchase vintage kits.

The publisher Rowan-Anaya summarised the book in the following manner,

" The Victorian and Albert Museum is renowned throughout the world for its collection of treasures and design archive material, dating from man's earliest contributions to the decorative arts. Now it provides inspiration for the exciting and unusual needlepoint collection by talented new designer Karen Elder of the Rowan Stitching Company. (...) The 23 original projects include some re-workings of historical pieces, such as the famous Oxburgh hangings, originally stitched by Mary Queen of Scots, and details from the exuberant and charming Bradford table carpet. There are also colourful floral designs, inspired by the V&A's fine collection of 18th century silks. Inspiration for the other patterns comes from such varied sources as stained glass, Moghul architecture, antique Japanese stencils, wallpapers and the lavish richness of high Victorian style. (...) Each design is accompanied by a full colour photograph of the embroidered canvas and full instructions. allowing the design to be copied stitch by stitch. (...) Rowan-Anaya Originals combine outstanding colour and design with the range and quality of Rowan yarns. "

The projects in this book are as follows,

COPTIC BIRD, taken from an Egyptian textile of the fourth-fifth centuries

THE OXBURGH HANGINGS,  Embroidered by Mary Queen of Scots and Bess of Hardwick

CROCODIL

A. FROGGE

THE BRADFORD TABLE CARPET, Stitched between 1605 and 1615

LITTLE NUT TREE

MALAKOFF CASTLE

LONG STITCH CHAIR SEAT, Colours from the stained-glass gallery

INDIAN TRELLIS, Inspired by the Indian Collection

INDIAN TRELLIS CHAIR SEAT

INDIAN TRELLIS STOOL

EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY SILK DESIGNS, Designs by James Leman and Anna Maria Garthwaite, adapted for Candle Fire screen, Fantasia Chair, Fantasia Cushion, Antique Bolster, Little Pink Flower and Anna Maria Cushion

CANDLE FIRESCREEN

FANTASIA CHAIR

FANTASIA CUSHION

ANTIQUE BOLSTER

LITTLE PINK FLOWER

ANNA MARIA CUSHION

PRINCE ALBERT, Inspired by the nineteenth-century textile designs from Mulhouse -a chair seat and cushion, a check panel, and a chair panel

DRIED FLOWER BASKET, created by combining elements of bookbinders' papers

JAPANESE STENCIL DESIGNS, The Collection of Japanese textile stencils - the basis for haiku Birds and Japanese Petals

HAIKU BIRDS

JAPANESE PETALS

THE WALLPAPER COLLECTION, Wallpaper designs converted into needlepoint

DOUBLE DAMASK

DAMASK ROSE

QUEEN VICTORIA, A design inspired by nineteenth-century cotton prints

Though this book is out of print, the collections which served as source and inspiration for these designs are available for viewing at the Victoria and Albert Museum.  For an accurate search of the items mentioned above, please make use of the Victoria and Albert Museum search device for Collections and Items.

More than history combined with needlepoint, this is an informative guide with charted designs of all the stitches used and designs featured  in the author's selection. 

Beginners can benefit with guided explanations on suitable needles, frames, yarn, executing the work with the correct tension, left-handed stitches, stretching the canvas, using the needlepoint in the home, covering chair seats and cleaning the tapestry.

 The conversion tables in case Rowan yarns are not available during the execution of the projects, feature colour codes for Anchor and Paterna.

Best wishes,

Ariane Crafts