Encyclopedia of Needlework - By Th De Dillmont

This wonderful book covers all aspects of needlework. It has about 800 pages, 1107 very clear engravings and 13 coloured plates.  There are different editions and naturally, the contents vary from edition to edition.

There are atleast 4 different editions that I personally know of. Here's the table of contents in the book I have.

1. Plain Sewing - The sewing and embroidering machine 
2. Machine sewing and embroidering
3. Mending
4. Embroidery upon white materials
5. Linen Embroidery
6. Embroidery upon silk and Velvet
7. Gold Embroidery
8. Applique work
9. Tapestry
10. Knitting
11. Crochet
12. Tatting
13. Macrame
14. Netting
15. Openwork on Linen
16. Embroidered laces
17. Needle-made laces
18. Pillow laces
19. Needlework trimmings
20. Miscellaneous directions
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

The book takes you through the basics of all the different crafts. This is something like a stitch dictionary with plenty of projects for all levels of craft lovers. 

What I like best about this book is, it endeavors to teach the basics and the engravings or images are so clear that it is impossible not to learn from them. It's truly a treasure house created over a 100 years ago. All the designer has to do is, use this as a crutch and give free rein to the imagination.

This is not the edition I own. This book have fewer pages. This book was published in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.