---
title: "Whitework"
description: "Whitework is any embroidery worked in white thread on white fabric, including openwork, cutwork and drawn-thread techniques."
type: Glossary
url: https://teazle.art/glossary/whitework
published: 2026-10-14
updated: 2026-10-14
author: "The Teazle editors"
---

# Whitework

*Whitework is any embroidery worked in white thread on white fabric, including openwork, cutwork and drawn-thread techniques.*

Whitework covers a family of techniques in which the design comes from texture, not colour: padded satin stitch, eyelets, drawn-thread work, [cutwork](https://teazle.art/glossary/cutwork.md) and [broderie anglaise](https://teazle.art/glossary/broderie-anglaise.md). It decorated linens, christening robes, collars and underwear for centuries.


## Sources

1. [Whitework (AAT 300227940)](http://vocab.getty.edu/page/aat/300227940). Getty Art & Architecture Thesaurus
2. [Whitework (Q4822350)](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4822350). Wikidata

Canonical: https://teazle.art/glossary/whitework