Embroidery and Sacred Text: New Designs in Judaic Needlework Volume 1

Embroidery and Sacred Text introduces nineteen new designs in Judaic and Biblical embroidery, in stunning photographs of Rachel Braun's original and colorful needlework. The author has embellished sacred texts from liturgy, piyyut (prayerful poetry) and Bible in creating her designs, in embroidery canvasses stitched in 'blackwork' embroidery technique. Erudite and insightful commentary accompanying each piece adds a spiritual dimension for appreciating the designs and for understanding the associations of sacred text and art. In addition, Rachel shares forty embroidery motifs for fellow needle artists to incorporate in their own projects, along with ten new embroidery alphabets for Hebrew and English lettering. A chapter explaining the mathematical considerations in embroidery design provides clear, accessible explanations of how geometric and algebraic factors underlie the shape of the embroidery patterns.