What is smøyg? 5
Where is smøyg found? 6
History 7
Smøyg basics 8
Items featuring smøyg embroidery 9
Motifs 22
Same design, different colours 3
Fabric 24
Thread 25
Needles 26
Projects 27
Stitches and techniques 65
Appendix: fabric and thread compatibility 100
Image credits 103
Index 104
Yvette Stanton is the publisher and designer behind Vetty Creations, and an award-winning embroiderer with over 15 years' experience of producing beautiful intricate embroideries. She has a passion for whitework embroidery, and a passion for sharing it with others. Yvette has written three books on whitework, one of them with her twin sister, Prue Scott. Yvette is an accredited tutor with the Embroiderers Guild of NSW, and teaches embroidery classes, specialising in whitework at shops and guild groups around Australia. Yvette lives in Sydney, Australia.
Visit Yvette's blogspot at http://vettycreations.com.au/white-threads/
Yvette’s books are always excellent. They’re intelligently and
thoroughly written, beautifully illustrated, full of clear and
easy-to-grasp instruction and wonderful finished projects. Smøyg:
Pattern Darning from Norway is no exception! I think the book will
appeal to surface and counted embroiderers alike. There’s something
so mesmerising and satisfying about working darning patterns with
the simple running stitch, and producing things that are striking
and complex! And what stitch could possibly be more accessible than
the humble running stitch? The book will certainly also appeal to
needleworkers who have a specific interest in costuming, in
regional embroidery, in embroidery history, and in Norwegian and
Scandinavian techniques. It’s definitely worth adding to your
bookshelf! Click here to read Mary Corbet's full
review.
*Needle 'n Thread*
When one of Yvette Stanton's books drops into my letter box, I know
that I am in expert hands. She is my number one world embroidery
lady. We are all in for a treat. Yvette's guides to traditional
embroidery are superb. Discover the colourful world of Norwegian
pattern darning - Smoyg. Find historical photos, learn the stitches
and techniques and 13 original projects to hone your skills. In her
third book on Norwegian embroidery, Yvette shines a light on the
subject of folk embroidery. This educational book offers clear and
concise step-by-step instructions, inviting you into the charming
world of this traditional technique. Yvette simply gives the best
charted designs I have ever seen in any book. See the variations of
Smoyg, where it hails from, its history and forms. Learn the motifs
and fabrics to use for authentic Smoyg. See how to use them in
useful and practical projects - a jewellery bag, needlecase, table
runner, pendants, band sampler, bookmarks, hanging ornament, table
centre, cushion, shirt collar, framed square and scissor keep. An
exciting array of projects to appeal to everyone. I think I will
start by making the colourful band sampler - it is my favourite
project. I am quite tempted by the thought of hanging ornaments
too. There is also a guide to thread and fabric compatibility and a
pattern sheet. Highly recommended - this year's must buy embroidery
book.
*www.karenplatt.co.uk*
Folk Art is a new passion of mine and I love embroidered
pieces.
13 projects are beautifully worked and demonstrated in this
wonderful craft book.
Hailed from Norway, Smoyg is a darning technique that not only
is used as decoration, but is a way of telling which region you are
from. This is a unique form of expression and men and women's
clothing are both 'Smoyg'ed'
Belts, collars and hats are darned, using this method. Everyone can
achieve this look, even if you have never picked up a sewing
needle.
Smoyg is a running stitch, small stitches form incredible
designs and what I really loved are the colours chosen to showcase
the designs.
The projects include a needlecase and bookmarks, which are small,
but the larger project of the shirt is just amazing. This is
the perfect craft to upcycle any garment or to add pizzazz. It is
truly beautiful and so eye catching.
There is a pattern sheet included in this book, and there is a very
good guide to stitches and techniques. It is a very educational
book and there is no reason why you would need need any other
help.
I highly recommend this book for the complete beginner or the
advanced Smoyg'er, it is well presented and the craft is
photographed in stunning colour.
The historical references are well worth a read, it is very
interesting. This is a fun craft and one that is worth
mastering.
*Postcard Reviews*
This is another well written book by Yvette Stanton.
A traditional counted thread technique.
Full of background information on the history of Smoyg which is
said to date back to Viking times ( late 700’s – 100s).
There are over 20 pages of detailed photographs tracking the
history and pattern designs and their variations from region to
Region. In some areas the designs are stitched using only black
thread in others the designs are stitched mainly in green and red.
Yvette’s attention to detail is evident throughout the book.
Projects vary from a jewellery bag in Black and white suitable for
a beginner in this technique to a beautiful smoyg collar for the
more experienced stitcher.
The Stitches and techniques used are in excellent detail at the
back of the book with detailed photographs.
If you like counted thread work then this book is a must for your
bookshelf.
*Embroiderers Guild*
Smoyg - I'd never heard of it, and on first glance it looks madly
complicated, but in fact with the clear, concise instructions and
great illustrations.
This is a very detailed book, but is easy to follow, and very
readable. It has a beautiful layout and some great suggestions for
use of the patterns. My one critique is that some of the pattern
charts are rather small, but I suppose you could easily photocopy
them.
*Amazon*
Loved this book, the stitch itself is simple and the patterns easy
to follow. The results are both beautiful and useful. The book is
well laid out, informative with plenty of photos.
*Amazon*
This is a fascinating book. It is an informative introduction to
Norwegian sewing. It covers the history and uses of the creative
process involved. Anyone interested in hand sewing will find new
projects to make. The different patterns covered by the book can be
added to the readers own sewing projects. I am looking forward to
learning more about Smoyg and thank the author for such an
informative book.
*Amazon*
Ok so to be honest I had never heard of Smoyg, but I am always
looking for new ways of darning and embroidery, so I was thrilled
to receive this book. I spent ages just reading about the history
of Norwegian darning and looking at the various patterns and guides
to stitches and techniques. There are 13 beautiful embroidered
projects using bright colours and various designs. The step by step
instructions make it so easy to follow and there are even
informative parts telling you what problems you may have along the
way. I am not experienced and did initially find it all a bit
daunting, but I must say I have just completed my first project and
it is perfect. I would highly recommend.
*Amazon*
This is a gorgeous book, and I'm thrilled to have a copy. The book
opens with several pages describing the history and style of this
stitching technique across several different regions of Norway. The
differing styles and traditional colours are clearly described and
are accompanied by lots of photos - a real treat for anyone who
loves embroidery! This is followed by 13 projects covering a range
of items such as jewellery, clothing, sewing accessories, and home
decor. The projects are well thought out and clearly described - as
another reviewer noted the pattern charts are quite fine and you'll
need to work in good light (maybe with a magnifier). However, many
of the projects are worked on a fine even weave fabric, and so
you'll need the light to work with :-) I particularly liked the
fact that the section describing how different stitches are worked
is repeated - once for left-handed and once for right-handed
stitchers. It's a nice thought, and good to see the author
including this detail. Another nice touch is the inclusion of a
series of images showing the same section of stitches worked with
different brands/weights of thread on the various counts of fabric
used for the projects (ranging from 28 to 50 count fabrics). We've
all had the experience of trying to figure out the equivalent
threads between brands, when the author's recommended choice isn't
available, and this clear guide shows how well different threads
will cover the fabric. Overall a lovely book, and a great buy for
any stitch enthusiast.
*Amazon*
This book is a little gem! It has a bit of everything, from history
to projects you can actually do (and some small ones for instant
gratification or last-minute gifts, to very detailed tutorials. But
those are elements that I would expect from a great craft book
Where I think this one goes one step further is the fabric and
thread compatibility guide at the end of the book. With all crafts
it takes time trial and error to discover those things and the
guide saves you from a lot of frustration!
*Amazon*
I didn’t know what to expect with this book as I had never heard of
Smoyg. However, it turned out to be a fascinating and informative
book.
A detailed history of pattern darning is explained and how it was
developed and used over the centuries. The colour photography of
the patterns is beautiful and got me engrossed immediately.
Clear instructions are given on the stitching techniques for both
the left and right-handed sewer. It also gives tips on how to
finish your work and hints on any problems you may face. I think
that it would be a fantastic hobby for someone to get into. It made
me want to pick my needle up immediately! As the stitches are
simple running stitch most people would be able to approach this
craft. The patterns only develop from carefully copying a grid.
Small projects to get you started, include a small jewellery bag
and a bookmark. The book also contains a full-sized pattern for a
ladies shirt with a smoyg collar for those who become more
accomplished.
If there is one criticism I could make, the patterns are very small
and would benefit from being enlarged so that each row was better
defined. Obviously, this could be rectified by enlarging the grids
on a computer or photocopier.
It was a lovely book, a pleasure to read and a new hobby to try
out.
*Amazon*
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