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'White-embroidered costume accessories from the 1790s to 1840s' by Heather Toomer, with drawings and patterns by Elspeth Reed' |
When I read the title, to say that I was excited was an understatement. My favourite period, AND my favourite subject- whitework!! I was dreaming about gorgeous fichus, pelerines, chemisettes, hopefully aprons.....
Now, I have got really excited about books in the past, which have sadly turned out to be major disappointments. Few colour photographs, poor reproductions etc, so I was also trying to pepper my enthusiasm with the thought that it may not prove to be as good as I had hoped.
I was, thankfully, MASSIVELY, massively wrong. It arrived today, and I am in seventh heaven. I even let my dinner get cold at lunchtime, as I couldn't stop flicking through and exclaiming "this woman is a genius", every so often.
This book has everything that I was hoping for:
*Superb quality photographs with fabulous detail shots of hundreds of antique accessories. Her personal collection of these items (which she has based this book around), is extensive.
*The accessories cover:
Chemisettes
Aprons
Habit Shirts
Cuffs (after my last post, I now know a lot more about them!)
Stoles
Pelerines
Collars
Shawls
Ruffs
*Beautiful fashion plates which show the context of these items so well.
*There are also drawings and patterns by her colleague Elspeth Reed (having these in this book exceeded my expectations- I hadn't even thought that they might be included).
Heather Toomer has written other books prior to this one:
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'Embroidered with White: the 18th century fashion for Dresden lace and other whiteworked accessories.' 2008 |
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'Baby wore white: robes for special occasions, 1800-1910' 2005. |
Heather has also written two books on identifying lace and European lace. Fingers crossed for Christmas!
I was really interested to see that Heather has published these herself. You can order these from her direct through her website here.
From one deliriously happy historical dress lover:
THANK YOU HEATHER!!
If you are thinking of purchasing this book, don't think, just do it!! I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed.
with love,
naomi