Italian Needlework Treasures: A guide and history to the many types of needlework techniques found in Italy.

Although, I live in Italy, I have never found such a guide to the traditional needle crafts of the regions. This book is lovely; well researched and visually delightful. I have shared its images with local friends here in Piemonte, needleworkers themselves, who had never seen the beautiful embroidery of other regions. Mille grazie!

Italian Needlework Treasures is a beautiful book about needlework in all its forms – embroidery, lace, tassels, weaving, etc. – and the unique forms developed by needleworkers in different regions of Italy over the centuries. The history of each style is explored and each style is clearly shown in closeup photographs.And the pieces shown throughout its pages truly are treasures. If you are a needleworker, you will be inspired to pick up a needle. If you are a collector, your eye will be keener. If you have inherited a beautiful piece of lace or handwork from an Italian relative, this book will give you the background to appreciate it even more.It begins with an introduction to the various regions of Italy and a general history of needlework materials and inspirations from the Etruscans to the current era. It is generally organized by the type of needlework (for instance, embroidery, lace, tassels) and then into chapters exploring the history and unique style of each region. For instance, under embroidery, the styles associated with the regions of Emilia-Romagna, Florence and Tuscany, Assisi, Piedmont, Ravenna, Palestrina, and more, are covered. Under Lace, reticello, filet, and bobbin lace are covered. There is a large and very interesting chapter on the history development of lace. Spectacular tassels, weaving and regional costumes are also included.Each style is richly explored through the use of closeup photographs. Every piece is a visual feast—many are from the author’s collection, either handed down through family or collected over a lifetime of travel and research. Other pieces are from private collections.Other features are a calendar that listing major Italian festivals, a list of museums and shops to visit, and vocabulary unique to Italian needlework, clothing, stitches and materials with translations to English.The book stands alone as a history book but is also a very personal book with stories of the author’s encounters with knowledgeable and gracious experts in the field.Italian Needlework Treasures should be on the shelf of anyone who appreciates the beauty of Italian needlework.

It has been such a pleasure and an honor to be taught Italian needlelace by Vima and to have gone on two of her trips way back in 1989 and 1995. I ceased to do any kind of hand stitching due to my extensive around the world travel and focusing on photography, but now that I have bought Italian Needlework Treasures, I have come to renew my appreciation for the pieces of lace and linens that I had acquired on these trips. Through Italian Needlework Treasures, I have come to identify these pieces, as well as Deruta hand-painted ceramic beads that I had forgotten their origin. A purchase also included a lovable Orvieto doll with lace attached to her clothing and now I am able to identify one of the pieces, Embroidery on Tulle. The book has fulfilled my love for what handwork I did so many years ago. My appreciation for needlelace I see has never left me, as I couldn’t leave a piece of very fine bobbin lace behind on my trip to Sicily this year. Thank you, Vima, for sharing your extensive knowledge in print. I now don’t need to keep the process and unfinished pieces that were taught to me; I just need to refer to this valuable book.Lee HaradaHonolulu, HI Nov 2015

Really interesting reading and beautiful, inspirational photos! Highly recommended!