Rissa Peace Root © 2002, 2007
Background Information
- "Stumpwork embroidery is a raised form of embroidery created on one background and transferred to another, ground fabric, and is three-dimensional through the use of padding, beads, wire and/or needle lace stitches. " - Jeanmarie Bruccia, from Jenny June's Fancy Work.
I love raised embroidery and nothing is more dimensional than Stumpwork. When I began this journey, I was struck by the very different designs that all fell under the umbrella of Stumpwork. The term Stumpwork is a 19th Century invention that describes raised work and stuffed work. In period, it was most often referred to as raised work, "embost" or even "brodees en relief". [1] I had seen these marvelous embroideries on padded chests and wall hangings in museums and books and marveled at their soft sculpture design and heavy use of needle lace. Then much later, I ran across Jane Nicholas' series of books and although Ms. Nicholas gives wonderful histories of the art form, I was most impressed by her adaptation of the traditional to something more modern. Then I read with great interest the debate on what really is and is not authentic on the Embroiderers Guild of America's (EGA) mailing list and among members of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). It would seem that there is a schism among the purists, but the end result is a greater awareness of raised embroidery and its design potential.
First, there is very traditional raised work and padded embroidery and needle-lace that is firmly rooted in the designs of 17th century England (reaching its peak in 1650.) This is represented by authentic reproductions and newer renditions of traditional designs as seen in publications like that of Barbara and Roy Hirst. Some people refer to this as English Stumpwork, even though Susan O'Connor, an Australian who publishes in Inspirations, would fall into this category. The second is a more modern style typified by Jane Nicholas. This is sometimes referred to as Australian Stumpwork. Both types of Stumpwork are very dimensional designs, and they employ many of the same techniques for achieving this effect.
Regardless of the style you select, there are ample resources to get you started on your journey!
On-line Resources:
Stumpwork information and examples:
- Antiques Online Late 18th/Early 19th Century Stumpwork
- Antique Samplers Stumpwork and Related Needlework
- Cedar Valley Stumpwork Apple Blossom Petit Project
- Caron-Net Designer Spotlight on Karen Buell
- HGTV Stumpwork
- Jean Fletcher's Stumpwork Cabinet
- SCA Elizabethan Raised Embroidery by Branwen Wallis
- Scarlet Letter Stumpwork Picture 17th Century Reproduction Sampler
- Sealed Knot 17th Century Stumpwork by Anne Rhodes
- Stitch 17th Century Raised Work Box
- Whiteworks Stumpwork Embroidery
Stumpwork designers and retail kits:
- Gerry Buckley Cross-Stitch Design Stumpwork Kits
- Hanging by a Thread Liz Turn Diehl Stumpwork
- JDR Brazilian Elegance Karen Buell Designs
- JDR Brazilian Elegance Loretta Holtzberger's Designs
- Jennifer Bee Embroidery and Stumpwork Designs
- Julie Ann's Stumpwork
- Kay Dennis' Gallery
- Mary Jane Collection Stumpwork Online Catalog
- Needlearts Studio Project Stumpwork Scissor Case and Needlebook
- Nostalgic Needle Stumpwork Etui
- Nostalgic Needle Stumpwork Whimsy Box
- WR Murray Julie Ann Designs
Free Stumpwork patterns:
- Caron-Net Holly & Berries by Karen Buell Design
- Jean Fletcher Buttercup Pattern
- Jean Fletcher Little Fillers Patterns
- Jean Fletcher Nodding Lily Pattern
- Kreinik Crimson Chat Stumpwork
- Kreinik Starry Night Pin
Print Resources:
Stumpwork specific books and leaflets:
- Ashby, Daphne & Woolsey, Jackie. Stumpwork, Why Not?
- Best, Muriel. Stumpwork: Historical & Contemporary Raised Embroidery. Hardcover. 136 Pages. ISBN 0-71345-5721.
- Dennis, Kay. A Beginner's Guide to Stumpwork. Search Press. Soft cover. 80 Pages. ISBN 0-85532-8703.
- Hinde, Annette . Australian Wildflowers in Stumpwork. Soft cover. 104 pages.
- Hirst, Babarba. Raised Embroidery: A Practical Guide to Decorative Stumpwork. Merehurst. Soft cover. 80 Pages. ISBN 1-85391-2034
- Holzberger, Loretta. Needlelace & Stumpwork: Contemporary Designs & Techniques for Dimensional Embroidery. Self Published. 100 Pages. ISBN 0-96794-5402.
- Nicholas, Jane. Stumpwork Dragonflies. Milner. Hardcover. 96 pages. ISBN: 1-86351-2624.
- Nicholas, Jane. Stumpwork Embroidery: A Collection of Fruits Flowers and Insects for Contemporary Raised Embroidery. Milner. Hardcover. 216 pages. ISBN: 1-86351-1830.
- Nicholas, Jane. Stumpwork Embroidery: Design and Projects. Milner. Hardcover. 160 pages. ISBN: 186351208X.
- Remmington, Preston. English Domestic Needlework of the XVI, XVII, and XVIII Centuries. Dated 1945. There is a nice historical article that precedes the dozens of black and white photos of the exhibit. The author was the Curator of Renaissance and Modern Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Wislon, Erica. The Craft of Silk and Gold Thread Embroidery and Stump Work. Scribner's Sons. Soft cover. 96 pages. ISBN: 0-684-15067-0.
- Victoria and Albert Museum. Flowers in English Embroidery. Curator notes and guide, with black and white photographs, for an exhibit. Printed 1947.
Stumpwork specific projects in magazines:
- Inspirations
- Issue 14 "In Prayse of the Needle" pp. 24
- Issue 22 "Scottish Thistle" pp. 42
- Issue 26 "Papillon" Butterfly Box. pp. 32
- Issue 27 "Summer Fruit" Drawstring work bag. pp. 28
- Issue 29 "Damselfly" by Jane Nicholas. pp. 24
- Issue 31 "Liberty" a Stumpwork Cricket in gold. pp. 26
- Issue 32 "Elizabethan Dragonfly" pp. 22
- Issue 36 "Elizabethan Sweet Bag" (cover)
- Embroidery and Cross Stitch
- Volume 3, Number 2. "Gardener's Delight" pp. 48
- Volume 3, Number 3. "Goldwork Heartsease & Strawberries" pp. 72
- Volume 3, Number 6. "Pansy Parade" cover and pp. 26
- Volume 4, Number 1. "La Petite Pooch" pp. 54
- Volume 4, Number 6. "Raised Embroidery" pp. 20, "The Language of Flowers" pp. 22 and "Elizabethan Rose" pp. 28
- Volume 5, Number 1. "Golden Whistlers" by Jean Fletcher pp. 58
- Volume 5, Number 3. "Heartsease and Strawberries" pp. 22
- Volume 5, Number 4. "Grazing and Lazing"
- Volume 5, Number 5. "Violets" pp. 62
- Volume 5, Number 6. "Golden Gum Blossoms" pp. 33
- Volume 6, Number 3. "Flemish Still Life" pp. 36 and "Stumpwork Grapes" pp. 68
- Volume 6, Number 4. "Violets from Windsor" pp. 58 and "Champagne Rose" pp. 64
- Volume 6, Number 5. "Bursting Red Gum Blossoms" pp. 66
- Volume 6, Number 8. "Four Sheep Grazing" pp. 44
- Volume 6, Number 9. "Strelitzia Stumpwork" Bird of Paradise pp. 44
- Volume 6, Number 10. "Scarlet Honeyeater and Wattle"
- Volume 7, Number 10. "Native Flowers of Australia"
- Volume 7, Number 11. "Merry Christmas Robin"
- Volume 8, Number 2. "Laugh Kookaburra, Laugh"
- Sampler & Antique Quarterly. Spring 2002. Volume 26. "The Lady's Dogwood".
[1] Wallis, Branwen Madyn. Elizabethan Raised Embroidery.
