New Old RSN Needlework book

[Anne Gomes]

Hey, Y'all, I was wondering if anybody, especially the ladies in the UK have seen the new edition of the 1880 Handbook of Embroidery. What's in it? Is it enough better than other similar books that it is worth adding to my collection. Thanks for any of your thoughts. AnneG in NC

[Sarah J]

It's a facsimilie or the original 1880 book and is on pink paper! It has a section at the beginning on embroidery and design (don't expect beautiful colour photographs in this bit, they didn't have those in 1880! They come later) then a nice section of photographs of some pieces from the RSN collection with a new essay about the history of the school. Things have moved on a lot in the embroidery world since this was written so it is more of an embroidery social history book than one you can learn from, although some things stand the test of time! There certainly isn't another book like it.

I had a quick look at the book a few weeks ago when it came out but I will be there next week and will try and get a better look at it! I will report back....

[Anne Gomes]

Thanks, Sarah, Looking forward to it. While at the RNC you could tell them that if they posted some pages and maybe the table of contents, it would be enticing to invest. Thanks, Have a good trip, AnneG

[Sarah J]

Hi Anne,

Despite a busy day I mnaged to get a better look at the book as promised!

Practically: Looks good, feels weighty and is quite thick. Definately a good price.

The front section is all new and is contains history about the Royal School of Needlework as well as a social history of embroidery at the time and it's colaboration with the Arts and crafts masters of the time including Morris, Burne Jones and Walter Crane. Interesting if you are interested in embroidery history and the arts and crafts movement (no photos in this section).

There is a glossy section in the middle with photographs of pieces from the collection and images of the School from the past. There are some amazing pieces at the school ( I have seen them!) and who doesn't like looking at pictures of equisite embroidery?

The last section is the pink (ish) facsimilie copy if the original book and is about the basics of embroidery (as it was in 1880!). This is more of a historical interest bit as it's pretty out of date now, and it's written in a way that we wouldn't speak anymore although it's easy to understand and I very much enjoyed reading these parts! They put a smile on my face.

At the end there is a selection of embroidery designs from the school (in colour). They are lovely designs and indicative of the embroidery designs of the school at the time but they are very complex so if you did want to have a go at any, allow alot of time (i.e. years...)!

There are a few pages at the back on the services that the school provided at the time and how much ithey cost. A womens lawn tennis apron started at £1 6s!. The original book cover is in the back of the new book
cover.

Hope this is helpful. It's not for me to say whether you should buy it or not but if you are interested in embroidery and social history (English) of this time and you are interested in the Royal School of Needlework and the work they did then I think you will like this book. You won't find other similar books as the school and it's history is unique.

[Anne Gomes]

Excellent review, Sarah. Thank you so much. I think I'll put it on the list. I've found that some late Victorian needlework instructions and patterns were very challenging. Thanks again. BTW, jealous you get to go take classes there!

[Sarah J]

Unfotunately I don't get the pleasure of taking classes there...I have to teach them! Not a bad job though!

The designs in the book aren't really patterns you would stitch unless you had a fully staffed embroidery studio! If you get the book you will see what I mean...:)

[Elmsley Rose]

From the RSN page http://79.170.40.32/royal-needlework.org.uk//Collection.html

" We are currently working on a reproduction of the 1880 Handbook of Embroidery which will be in CD Rom format and a book on the RSN's early history.   More details to follow."