Overview of Whitework Embroidery

Whitework is a simple yet complex embroidery style. It can describe any embroidery worked in white thread on white fabric, but it's so much more than that.

In the early 1800s the embroidery industry exploded, and whitework developed into many unique and varied styles that overlap with lace making. In this course, I explore the origins of these regional styles and pinpoint the details that set them apart. Each style is illustrated with photos or links to original sources, so you can clearly see the differences.

At the end of this course, you should understand how to identify different styles of whitework, where they originated, and whether they were commonly used on women's clothing, children's clothing, or household goods.