Asian Embroidery - Painting With a Needle
Lula
the needlework of Korea, Japan and China.......I recently purchased a
very well illustrated book on this subject at Borders.
The author is an expert stitcher and designer of what can only be
described as art needlework "painting", breathtaking museum quality
textile art.
The volume is filled with samples of unique embroideries, old to modern,
along with beautiful projects to do.....all are shown in detailed color
photographs with clear explanations on the background history and how to
stitch the needlework samples.
There are clear line drawings of the projects with directional stitch
lines, explanations to guide the stitcher. The instructions are step by
step and easy to understand.
The author is a well known Korean expert art embroiderer, writes
everything clearly......even though the background of the book is
Korean, the overall tone is based on classic Chinese artistic origins.
This is one of the best books I've ever seen on the subject of Asian
silk embroidery......the chapter on the history of Asian needlework
comes with many color pictures of gorgeous samples......the chapters on
materials and stitches is very thorough.
The most fascinating part of the book are the seventeen fine
projects....nothing pseudo-Asian in this book......all are authentic
examples of fine Asian art done in silk embroidery.......these are the
best "projects" I've ever seen in a "needlework" book.
I grew up surrounded by exquisite floral and fauna Chinese silk art
needlework and textiles in my home.......some of the floral embroideries
in this book are equal those beautiful Chinese embroideries.
A sample of the projects:
Morning Glories
Rose of Sharon
White Peacock with Peonies
Three Fish
Magnolia 1 & 2 (two versions)
Title: Painting With a Needle
Author: Young Yang Chang
Publisher: Abrams - ISBN 0-8109-4570-3
Price: $32.50
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply
>For those of you interested in fine (Asian) silk embroidery, based on
>the needlework of Korea, Japan and China.......I recently purchased a
>very well illustrated book on this subject at Borders. ....... >The most
fascinating part of the book are the seventeen fine
>projects....nothing pseudo-Asian in this book......all are authentic
>examples of fine Asian art done in silk embroidery.......these are the
>best "projects" I've ever seen in a "needlework" book. ........
OOO -- sounds absolutely exquisite! I have several pieces of Asian silk
embroidery in my home and they are unbelievably lovely. My most precious
example is a shimmery pink & white uchikake that I purchased while on holiday
in Japan ten years ago. It has large white cranes embroidered all over it in
silk floss and the feathers on many are outlined with rows of crystals. There
are also large ruffly peonies (I think) done in white and pastel metallics with
some silver at the center.
I so love the Asian embroideries that I go to e-Bay daily and search for
kimono and uchikake just to look at the wonderful examples of weaving and
embroidery. I finally bid on one uchikake and got lucky! I was high bidder
and should have this treasure in a month or so! Here's the link to take a
look...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3230897486&category=4003
... It wasn't my first choice but it *was* within the bugdet I had set myself
:-))). The one I *really* wanted is here...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3229954133&category=294
52&rd=1 ..... Take a look at any of the kimono or uchikake up for auction at
e-Bay and you will be absolutely enthralled at the exquisite beauty & skill of
the weaving and the embroidery they display.
So -- I might just have to let Santa know about the book Lula recommended
....
>Title: Painting With a Needle
>Author: Young Yang Chang
>Publisher: Abrams - ISBN 0-8109-4570-3
>Price: $32.50
I think it would make a wonderful anniversary or Christmas gift!!!
CiaoMeow >^;;^<
.
PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^<
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their
WHISKERS!!
Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs!
MaryR
by her. I have her "The Art of Oriental Embroidery -
History Aesthetics, and Techniques" which was published in
1979 (paperback edition 1983). I wonder if this is a
reprint of the same text, illustrations, etc., with the
projects added?
Could you check the intro and/or preface and let me know?
MaryR
MaryR
MaryR
Dianne Lewandowski
weeks. So very glad Lula posted about this. So many needlework books
aren't true "working" books that help us expand our skill. This sounds
amazing. Can't wait. If Lula gets busy, I'll post when it arrives.
Dianne
Lula
else is wondering.......
Yes, this is a new book, publication date 2003.
There are references to the older book you mention by the author, who
also mentions being invited by Abrams to write this current book which
she now can write about and show samples of embroideries she was not
able to include in her previous book.
The foreward is by Maria Campbel, EGA president dated 2002
and preface by the author dated 2002.
>From looking through the first book, the author focuses on embroidered
dress robes compared to this new book which focuses on decorative
pictorial embroideries.
This second book is worth buying as a companion piece to the first.
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
Mary M. Riedel wrote:
>
> That's great. I didn't think I'd ever see another book out
> by her. I have her "The Art of Oriental Embroidery -
> History Aesthetics, and Techniques" which was published in
> 1979 (paperback edition 1983). I wonder if this is a
> reprint of the same text, illustrations, etc., with the
> projects added?
>
> Could you check the intro and/or preface and let me know?
>
> Mary M. Riedel (MaryR on ANG)
Lula
name......confusing Asian names from Chung to Chang.....sorry for the
confusion.
An interesting FYI........as I don't read many Chinese characters except
for simple ones and my own maiden (Family) names I can't vouch for this
but, according to my husband, Chang and Chung may be the same family
name as many Korean family names have Chinese origins.....easily seen if
the Chinese characters are the same despite the spelling difference
caused by the westernization of Asian names.
Korea does have its own national writing, language and customs that are
totally different from China as overall, Korea is a whole different
culture but there are large Korean family names descended from Chinese
origins.
In some applications such as art, classic Chinese characters,
calligraphy and style are sometimes used.
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
Lula
Those are beautiful embroidered kimono brocades......I can see why you
wanted that second example, too bad you didn't "win".....it's a gorgeous
piece of textile art.
So, I'm curious.......what are you planning for the lovely textile you
bought....are you going to leave as is to display or incorporating it
into some other creation?
How about the wonderful sounding crane embroidery you were so fortunate
to get in Japan, did you put that on display?
My late parents gave me a large gorgeous silk embroidery stitched on a
silk satin fabric......depicts a hundred birds with a large phoenix
couple as well as a peacock couple being the central
motifs......included with the birds are embroidered sections of flowers
and trees......in our family home, there are other large flora and fauna
motif embroideries but my favorite is a huge panel, embroidered in fine
detail showing a popular folk "God" figure, an Old Man holding a large
Peach on a staff with a mythical animal and children, all symbolic
motifs of longevity.
You'll definitely love this new Asian embroidery book......the project
patterns shown are equal to the fine textiles you have!
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply
>....... So, I'm curious.......what are you planning for the lovely textile you
>bought....are you going to leave as is to display or incorporating it
>into some other creation?
>How about the wonderful sounding crane embroidery you were so fortunate
>to get in Japan, did you put that on display? ....... a popular folk "God"
figure, an Old Man holding a large
>Peach on a staff with a mythical animal and children, all symbolic
>motifs of longevity .................
I am very fortunate that the two-story home I now have has an open foyer
and I have the pink uchikake hanging on one of the upper walls. I plan to
hang the other uchikake on the opposite wall as the whole area is fairly wide
and the garments can be nicely displayed. When you stand on the upstairs
landing, you can reach out and touch the pink uchikake and get "up close &
personal".
I am familiar with the folk "God" you have the embroidery of. I also have
him only he is carved out of rosewood and is fairly old. I found him in an
Asian "curiosities" shop years ago back in Lizard Land. The owners would go to
China and Japan several times a year on buying trips to acquire their stock.
My statuette is about 18" tall and has the same motifs you describe -- the old
man holding a peach on a staff, a deer and a small child. What is even more
fascinating about the piece is that it is all inlaid with brass wire in lovely
intricate designs.
As for my other Asian embroideries, I have several made into pillows and the
rest have been mounted framed. I have Asian style furniture in my formal
living room, dining room and the master bedroom so I have lots of room :-))).
Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply
>........ I figured you probably turned some of
>collection of lovely fabrics into decorative cushions. .........
The thought has crossed my ming but I just couldn't do it -- cut up
that lovely stuff :-)). I have quite a few separate pieces of kimono fabrics
that I have gotten from eBay and don't even want to cut them up! I will
stitch them all together and make a wallhanging for the foyer. I suppose if
the fabrics were tattered or worn, I could easily cut them up if they were
tattered but all of the fabrics I have are in great shape.
I have gotten quite a few fabric panels at eBay that are from disassembled
uchikake and kimono. I can't even bring myself to cut these up and possibly
destroy the lovely design. I shall sew them all together with some sashing and
borders and make a large wall hanging for the stair rail in the foyer.
Looking at the embroideries, it is almost unbelievable that they are done by
hand. They are *the* most exquisite things I have seen! One of these days, I
want to visit to the Japanese Embroidery school that is here in the Atlanta
area -- wouldn't *that* be a treat for the senses!!! CiaoMeow >^;;^<
Lula
No, I didn't think you cut up anything in good condition but imagined
you might have used some odds and ends to create the cushions the same
way you're planning to create wall hangings.
It would be a shame to cut such beautiful textiles or emboideries if you
don't have to.
As you mention the Japanese Embroidery School and what a treat to the
visual and tactile senses that would be.......
I remember there was a group from an Asian embroidery center that had an
exhibit & demo in one of the past Charlotte trade shows.
Gosh, just the hanks or skeins of shiny colorful silks and glittery
metallics piled on a table was beautiful enough to look like a planned
still life display.
I thought what a pleasure it would be to have a collection of those
glorious threads......skeins of beautiful colors hanging on a wall or
piled into shelves in my studio just for inspiration!
The embroiders were stitching beautiful samples with fabrics stretched
flat across facing downward on table floor frames......it was
fascinating to watch them stitch......be worth a visit to the center to
see more.
---
Lula
http://www.woolydream.com
Needlework Adventures
Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply wrote:
>
> >From: Lula wooly...@earthlink.net
>
> >........ I figured you probably turned some of
> >collection of lovely fabrics into decorative cushions. .........
>
> The thought has crossed my ming but I just couldn't do it -- cut up
> that lovely stuff :-)). I have quite a few separate pieces of kimono fabrics
> that I have gotten from eBay and don't even want to cut them up! I will
> stitch them all together and make a wallhanging for the foyer. I suppose if
> the fabrics were tattered or worn, I could easily cut them up if they were
> tattered but all of the fabrics I have are in great shape.
Sorceress
> Tia Mary,
>
> No, I didn't think you cut up anything in good condition but
> imagined you might have used some odds and ends to create the
> cushions the same way you're planning to create wall hangings. It
> would be a shame to cut such beautiful textiles or emboideries if
> you don't have to.
>
> As you mention the Japanese Embroidery School and what a treat to
> the visual and tactile senses that would be.......
>
> I remember there was a group from an Asian embroidery center that
> had an exhibit & demo in one of the past Charlotte trade shows.
>
> Gosh, just the hanks or skeins of shiny colorful silks and glittery
> metallics piled on a table was beautiful enough to look like a
> planned still life display. I thought what a pleasure it would be to
> have a collection of those glorious threads......skeins of beautiful
> colors hanging on a wall or piled into shelves in my studio just for
> inspiration!
>
> The embroiders were stitching beautiful samples with fabrics
> stretched flat across facing downward on table floor frames......it
> was fascinating to watch them stitch......be worth a visit to the
> center to see more. --- Lula http://www.woolydream.com Needlework
> Adventures
A number of years ago I attended a demonstration of Japanese double
sided embroidery. A tiny little old man was needlepainting on gauze.
The piece was mounted in a frame that stood upright on a table and
swiveled 360 degrees. At the same time he was embroidering flowers on
one side of the piece, and a tiger's face on the other. I stood there
for an hour watching enviously.
Regards
--Anne
Momjws1
Is Dr. Freud around here somewhere?
Jane in WV
FKBABB
Author: Young Yang Chang
>>
I broke down and ordered this from Amazon. While there, I stumbled across
"Embroidery Illusions" by Gary Clarke, which seems to be about three
dimensional from the gorgous insect and berries on the cover. There were no
reviews. So, does anyone here have this book and care to tell us about it?
Annie
Dianne Lewandowski
think? From the cover, it looks very much like Australian
"contemporary" stumpwork. The berries are similar to ones found in a
recent "Inspirations" mag - only the coloration looks better on this
book cover.
I'd be anxious to also hear from anyone who has or has seen this book.
You will LOVE the Chung book . . . no matter what type of embroidery you do.
Dianne
Scottish Quilter
<dia...@heritageshoppe.com> wrote:
>Well, Annie, ya made me look. Sally Milner publishes in Australia, I
>think? From the cover, it looks very much like Australian
>"contemporary" stumpwork. The berries are similar to ones found in a
>recent "Inspirations" mag - only the coloration looks better on this
>book cover.
>
>I'd be anxious to also hear from anyone who has or has seen this book.
>You will LOVE the Chung book . . . no matter what type of embroidery you do.
>
>Dianne
>
Well Diane, I hold you entirely responsible for my dwindling bank
balance <very big grin>
I looked up the UK amazon site hoping Painting with a Needle was only
on sale in the USA and not here yet-----------but there it was , so
now a copy should be thudding on my doorstep!
The last thing I need is a new book as we move house at the end of
next month <g> Still it will keep me happy for a wee while as the
sewing stuff will have to be packed away soon til after the move!
I absolutely refuse to look at the other one ( for now at any rate )
Elma
Elma in Glasgow, Scotland, UK
(Remove spex to reply by email)
Dianne Lewandowski
looking for - particularly one by a mentor of Stefania's in Italy.
If you're a "determined" embroiderer, the Chung book is a definite "must
have". It opens your eyes, and gets you away from Western thought.
I'm already experimenting with the techniques in a stumpwork leaf. I'm
sick of the ridge on those leaves (due to buttonholing) and trying to
see if I can get away from it. I'll have to pull out my first few rows
of stitches (incorrect angle), but I think it will work. We'll see.
Dianne
Pat Porter
too much on Ebay this week, already! Thanks a LOT!!!
Pat P.
"Scottish Quilter" <rathgael...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:3f182734...@News.CIS.DFN.DE...
Scottish Quilter
<pat.porte...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>Oh B****r you, Elma - why did you have to tell us THAT! I`ve just spent far
>too much on Ebay this week, already! Thanks a LOT!!!
>
>Pat P.
>
>
OOps!! Sorry < grin>
Now you do know, Pat ,,it is not compulsory to buy it ?
LOL
Pat Porter
Well, my poor DH is having a bad spell of insomnia, and won`t take his
sleeping pills as they keep him dopey all day, so I`ve been stocking up with
Kavanagh QC and Inspector Morse tapes so he has something to watch during
the night. It`s not stash, as I expect you thought!
At least he hides them away now (the sleeping pills) since the pup stole
them from his night table! That meant a very urgent and expensive callout
for the vet as the pup`s legs started to refuse to go round corners! What a
scare it gave us.
Pat P.