Embroidery crafts Books

Book SynopsisThis concealed spiralbound paperback features more than 50 designs adapted from the colouring book, 'Woodland Creatures'.

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Book SynopsisThis guide is a must-have title for any hand stitcher''s library. It''s a beginner-friendly to advanced embroidery primer, with a stitch dictionary, instructions for successfully embroidering on footwear, and vibrant ideas for turning ordinary canvas shoes or espadrilles into personalized, eye-catching embroidered shoes. Includes introductory information on what you will need: shoes, tools, and thread followed by instructions for how to prepare the shoes you want to embroider, transfer the design, and stitch. Alternatively design and make your own custom espadrilles with the multi-sized pattern. Designs range from densely stitched mountain ranges to wispy florals and everything in between. Stitchers can also scan the QR codes for further video instructions.

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Book SynopsisCelebrate the frosty Winter with this festive collection of 100% wool hand dyed felt, linen, yarn and fabric creations. In this book you will find Woodland felt brooches, sleeping felt Mouse tucked up in her peapod bed, felt Badger all dressed, ready for some frosty winter walks, decorative Rabbit with velvet ruffled collar and many more.

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Book SynopsisLet your embroidery skills blossom with these 15fun, floral designs featuring Rebekah's love forbright, blooming colour palettes. Learn about allof the basic techniques and supplies you'll needfor hand embroidery, then dive into the delightfuldesigns featured within the book. All pieces arestitched with DMC threads and include the colournumbers for your convenience. From wildflowerbouquets to birds and butterflies, these originalembroidery patterns are perfect for stitchers atany level, and are sure to brighten up your space.

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Book SynopsisThis book contains more than 30 designs on the theme of plants and flowers. A wide range of subjects are included, such as classic roses, bright red poppies, colourful sunflowers, delicate floral bouquets and bolder, more contemporary tropical flowers and foliage. The designs display a rich variety of colours and shading and Susan's love of detail. There are simple designs for the beginner and more challenging projects for the more experienced stitcher.

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Book SynopsisThread Folk: A Modern Makers Book of Embroidery Projects and Artist Collaborations is a modern refresh of an age-old craft. Author Libby Moore teaches basic stitches and how to choose materials, and shares original patterns with easy-to-remove perforated pages. Thread Folk also features Artist Collaborations, a series of projects based on the curated artwork of several distinctive, talented artists, including clothing designer Audrey Smit, and illustrators Alli Koch and Lauren Merrick.Trade Review"Thread Folk will inspire new and seasoned artists alike to explore embroidery in ways they have not considered before. Libby Moore does a beautiful job of reintroducing this ancient craft as a contemporary medium with easy to follow projects." --Ekaterina Popova, founder and editor of Create! Magazine

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Book SynopsisCraft your very own Pusheen masterpieces with Pusheen: A Cross-Stitch Kit. A perfect gift for the crafty cat lover in your life!   Pusheen is the Internet's adorable chubby tabby who has warmed the hearts of millions with her animated GIFs and comics. For fans of I Am Pusheen the Cat; Pusheen: A Magnetic Kit; and the Pusheen coloring books, this craft kit includes everything you need to create cute embroidered designs of everyone's favorite lazy, lovable feline: A 32-page mini book with cross-stitching instructions and two easy patterns (perfect for beginners and advanced stitchers alike) Two 5' x 5' pieces of 14-count cotton Aida cloth A 3-inch embroidery hoop Two tapestry needles Four skeins of embroidery thread  

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Book SynopsisBlackwork is a traditional form of embroidery, usually worked in black thread on a white background. Here, author Melanie Couffe takes the technique and gives it a burst of colour by introducing delicate shades of pink, blue, green, red, yellow, orange and purple. Her book begins with an introduction to the fabrics and threads she uses, and the basic stitches you need to produce the beautiful designs featured in the book. There are 16 gorgeous projects to create, including a pinkeep, mobile phone case, purse and several framed pieces, all accompanied by step-by-step instructions, photographs and charts. Melanie's enchanting designs will inspire you to introduce colour into your blackwork, and create your own modern, stunning embroideries based on this classic technique. The threads used in the book are her own hand-dyed range available to order from her website and Etsy shop.Trade ReviewThis book is so inspiring. As with all Search Press books it has plenty of clear photos and diagrams. This makes the techniques easy to follow. Within minutes of opening the cover I couldn't wait to get started, over the first weekend of reading it I completed the designs pictured here. The book is laid out according to the seasons, there are several projects for each including a tree which is included in all seasons so you could put them all together as a set. I found the blackwork designs so relaxing to stitch as, once you get the hang of it, there's no need to constantly refer to the chart. The designs can easily be used in other projects and I look forward to using them in some of my own. Overall this book is definitely worth reading it is both interesting and inspiring. -- Amanda Seadon * Customer Review *I love this book, it is really beautiful. The introduction shows the enthusiasm and passion that Melanie Couffe wants to share and it is infectious. The background and instructions are clear and informative. I have been stitching for a long time and have felt blackwork becoming more popular and modern recently and this book certainly adds to that movement. I love the layout and seasonal themes in the book. I wanted to do a little bit so I could review the pattern layout. My plan was a jellyfish as I am drawn to all things marine. As soon as I started I was hooked. I painted my own fabric for the first time and before I knew it I had a whole aquatic bookmark which you can see here. The patterns are clear and not too small. I didn't have any of the amazing threads used (although I may invest as they look gorgeous). This wasn't really a problem as part of the ethos and joy of the book is experimenting with your own colour palette. The size of the projects are very variable which is perfect to match to the time you have. Some of the larger patterns have a motif like style which could lend itself to seasonal samplers for example. It's a great book for all levels as the possibilities are endless. Next stop tulips. -- Joanne Riley * Customer Review *It's not surprising that Melanie Couffe should choose to present us with a colourful modern twist on a traditional technique, given that she runs Tom and Lily Creations, a design company centred on hand-dyeing Colour Gems threads in a cornucopia of colours. But blackwork? For Melanie, it is the geometry of the designs that attracts her. The useful 'History of Blackwork' section at the front of the book, very concisely lays out the story of this technique. Henry VIII's first wife, Catherine of Aragon, brought the technique with her from Spain. Originally the designs used black silk thread on white linen and were added to collars, cuffs and sleeves. Today, blackwork, which features the main stitches of back, stem and chain stitch is worked in any colour, usually on aida fabric or evenweave, or on linen. With useful stitch, materials and technique guides, and advice on reading blackwork charts, Melanie provides a plethora of projects. Arranged by season, they range from a tulip-design pin-keep and a bee pendibule (a pendulum-like hanging heart) to a hedgehog autumn purse. Melanie now lives in Perpignan in the south of France, from where she runs her business, which also sends out three types of subscription boxes every month across the world. She says: 'I have an intense relationship with colour and it is an integral part of me and the DNA of my business. Colour makes me feel alive and full of energy and this is what I try to put into my designs, fabrics and threads. My motto is "colour is life".' -- Claire Waring * Embroidery Magazine - July/August Issue *Table of ContentsIntroduction History of Blackwork Tools and Materials Colour Stitch Guide Geometric Patterns Techniques Projects: SPRING - Spring Tree of Life, Tulip Pinkeep, Bee Pendibule, Spring Fob Trio SUMMER - Summer Tree of Life, Flamingo Tote Bag, Marine Jewellery, Mobile Phone Cases AUTUMN - Autumn Tree of Life, Pumpkin Citrolli, Hedgehog Purse, Autumnal Grapes WINTER - Winter Tree of Life, 12 Christmas Tree Decorations, Foliage Trio, Robin Clock The Charts Index

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Book SynopsisExquisitely detailed and worked in silk floss thread with tiny size 12 needles, Victoria Matthewson's embroideries are a masterclass in thread painting, and shine with vibrant colour and life. Many people think of bees as being the only pollinators but, in fact, a wide variety of insects help with the pollination of plants, including butterflies, moths, wasps and beetles – all of which make wonderful subjects for embroidery. Starting with key stitches and techniques, this inspiring and practical book contains nine step-by-step embroidery projects. Choose from nine key plant and pollinator combinations including the dogrose and greenbottle fly, ox-eye daisy and hoverfly, and fennel and seven-spot ladybird. Each stunning project contains fascinating entomological insights about each pollinator and its plant, verified by the experts at the charity Buglife. With a foreword written by TV naturalist Iolo Williams, and a comprehensive design and stitch guide, this gorgeous and informative book will inspire you to observe and capture the beauty of these vital ecosystems. The book will suit people with some previous embroidery knowledge, or ambitious beginners. Trade ReviewIt has been said that if insects were to disappear overnight, the world's eco-system would collapse. Like them or not, the world needs bugs. In particular, the pollinators, on which depends every third mouthful of food we eat. it was learning about the delicate web of inter-dependence that weaves between insect and plant that prompted Victoria Matthewson's new book, Needlepainted Plants and Pollinators. Showcasing her exquisite needlepainting, it also informs us about the importance of pollinating insects, and encourages us to take a closer look at them. [...] With a foreword written by TV naturalist Iolo Williams, and a comprehensive stitch guide, this gorgeous and informative hardback book will inspire people with some previous experience of embroidery, as well as ambitious beginners. -- The Stitcher's Journal * The Stitchers Journal, Issue No. 11 *This is one of the books I’ve been Absolutely Dying to get to, to let you know about! Now that the release date is getting very close, I’m really excited to write a review of it. The book is Needlepainted Plants and Pollinators: An Insect Lover’s Guide to Silk Shading Embroidery by Victoria Matthewson. It is a lovely book from Search Press, and it falls into a very interesting category. It’s pretty much a nature journal in thread, combined with instruction and projects. I knew it was going to be good. I follow Victoria’s Instagram feed and really enjoy seeing her work. So, yep. I was excited to get an advanced copy and see the book in person! Unlike many needlework books, Needlepainted Plants and Pollinators is a hardbound book, which gives it a “coffee table book” feel – and for good reason. Whether interested in embroidery or not, this is the type of book that anyone can pick up and connect to. After all, we all live on a beautiful planet filled with growing things and curious creatures. Whether we “see” them is another question – but we know they are there. Opening the pages of the book is rather magical – there’s almost a Wow! on every page. I love little touches like this, by the way. This is just a lone embroidered bee in the corner of the end sheet when you first open the book. The inside cover page hints at the delights to come. This is the type of book that is very difficult not to photograph page by page, to show you all of it. But if I did that, you wouldn’t have that joy of surprise when your own copy arrives. So I will curtail my inclinations! The book is broken down into two parts: the first half – which is background information – and the second half – which is filled with projects. In the first part of the book, we learn about the author, a bit about nature study, the basics of getting started with embroidering from natural subjects, a bit about materials and threads, and the rudiments of needlepainting. My favorite section in the first part of the book is probably the discussion on inspiration. This is where we learn that not everything that we see in nature may translate easily into an embroidery design. She discusses how to choose the right type of subject for needlepainting, and her advice is excellent. If you have toyed with the idea of needlepainting your favorite aspects of the natural world from your own drawings or photos, but you didn’t know where to start, you’ll appreciate the information here. Of course, there’s thread talk. I love thread talk. The needlepainting instruction walks through different exercises in stitching various types of shapes and elements found in nature – leaves, berries, petals, and the like – so that we understand how needlepainting is meant to flow when working a natural subject. Oh, I almost forgot! You’ll find great information and instruction not only on preparing your project to stitch, but also on how to finish it for display in different ways. I do appreciate good finishing instructions in an embroidery book! Then there are the projects. There are nine. They range from plants to pollinators, as the title promises. You’ll find a some really fabulous close-ups of the embroidery in this book, too, as you go through it. I like close-ups. They give us a good idea of stitch direction, order of stitching, and so forth. With each project, there’s a design template (in the back of the book), a materials list, and instructions on stitching it. We get to see the step-by-step development of the parts of the projects, too, which is very helpful. It’s hard to pick a favorite project in the book, but I think this one might be it for me. I like the way this is photographed here, too. And I love that solid center of French knot glory! Of course there’s a ladybug! In a Nutshell Well, what’s not to like? If you love the idea of needlepainting natural subjects in realistic ways, I think you’ll really love this book. There’s much to learn from it, and it’s a good guide in observation and in building “nature journaling” skills with needle and thread. If you are just fascinated by beautiful embroidery, if you like to browse through embroidery books for inspiration – even if you don’t intend to stitch these particular subjects – it’s a lovely book and it’s got good instruction in it that applies to needlepainting in general, that can be applied to stylized embroidery designs as well. If you like nature journaling, photography, and the like, it’s a different approach that will add variety and beauty to your library. There’s nothing I don’t like about this book. All my little pleasure molecules in my brain start buzzing when I open it. It makes me happy. -- Mary Corbet * Mary Corbet's Needle 'n' Thread *I was ecstatic when Needlepainted Plants and Pollinators was finally published. The first section of the book goes into Victoria’s inspiration, why insects? She talks about the importance of pollinators and how to encourage them into your garden. I love that! She then goes on to talk about the materials she uses, from backing fabric to ground fabric, needles, pins, scissors, etc. Victoria also explains why to use a stand, use stretcher bars or hoops and how to mount up properly. There’s a section showing the correct way to mount a piece, once finished, and perfect its presentation. In my favourite section of the book Victoria talks about how to find inspiration, working from a photo, choosing a design, and then planning the design. She mentions stitch direction, shading guidelines, order of stitching, light direction, and discusses colour. All very important steps. Victoria explains how she chooses threads and both she and I have a serious love of DeVere Yarns silk threads. Then there’s a section showing the basics of long and short stitch. How to work directional long and short and information about parking your threads properly. Again, super important. She goes into a bit more detail on other stitches, including threading a needle, a waste knots, finishing threads, split, satin, French knots, seed, and lazy daisy stitches. A section that talks about shading a berry or spherical shape, and shading leaves properly. Then there is a tonne of projects. My personal favourite is either the Dog Rose and Greenbottle Fly, the Fennel and Seven-Spot Ladybird, or the Blackthorn and Buff-Tailed Bumblebee. I love stitching bees, and Victoria’s are beyond perfect! The last part of the book is almost like a portfolio of her past works, with beautiful descriptions of each piece. I love that the templates for working each of the many projects are included. I can’t recommend this book enough. It’s gorgeous, and so well written. Whether you’re starting out in your stitching career, or you’re a professional, I guarantee there’s something in this book for you. It’s a work of art. -- Jessica Devin * Embroidery Artist *This is a beautifully printed book with some lovely photographs of insects. Why insects? As Victoria Matthewson says - "Our insect pollinators are in trouble. At the time of writing more than 40% are in decline." In the first part of the book, Victoria Matthewson takes us through the usual paraphernalia of equipment - setting up, design, colour etc. But miss this at your peril, for it is full of excellent tips. These include how to design taking into consideration the direction of the light. How to use light and shade to give a three-dimensional effect and "needle parking!" (Keeping the needle threaded when not in use and anchored in the edge of the work, out of the way) Then there are the projects! Every one is complete with a full set of instructions with explicit photographs and drawings. They are arranged to represent the main groups of pollinators. Each insect depicted is shown alongside the plant that it is attracted to. The projects have a template to facilitate the transfer of the design. This book might be a little difficult for the novice to understand without guidance but I would recommend it for an embroiderer with some experience of needlepainting. -- Lizie Painter * Book Threads *Victoria does so much than deliver a stunning guide to painting with thread. She gives her stitched subjects context. She makes seemingly little creatures important. She encourages readers to take a moment, to reflect on the insect or plant, and to consider the incredible role they play in our fragile eco-system. This raised awareness can only make for a richer, more connected embroidery experience. * Stitch Magazine *Table of ContentsContents 5, Introduction 6, Foreword 8, All about pollinators 10, Materials and tools 12, Techniques 20, Stitch gallery 26, Small stitched elements 34, Inspiration 38, Choosing colours 40, Order of work 42 The Projects 44 Dogrose and greenbottle fly 46, Lords and Ladies and owl midge 56, Ox-eye daisy and hoverfly 64, Fennel and seven-spot ladybird 72, Meadow buttercup and thick-legged flower beetle 80, Bramble and gatekeeper butterfly 88, Common knapweed and six-spot burnet moth 96, Blackthorn and buff-tailed bumblebee 106, Gooseberry and common wasp 114 Templates 122

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Book SynopsisAn exquisite collection of over 40 different florals: anemone, iceland poppy, wild fruit, pansies, more. All designs color keyed to American threads. Illustrated instructions. Full-color designs on covers.

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Book SynopsisThis practical guide covers a wide range of whitework stitches and techniques, and provides inspiration for all embroiderers, whatever their level of experience. Along with explaining the many stitches included under the definition of whitework, it goes further and demonstrates how to combine the stitches to make intricate and stunning pieces of embroidery. Packed with practical advice and instruction, it is the essential handbook that embroiderers need to enjoy and discover one of the oldest and most beautiful forms of embroidery techniques. Introduction to fabric, threads and equipment, as well as framing up . A detailed guide to individual whitework techniques, including stitch patterns Practical advice on how to combine techniques and to design pieces of your own. Two complete projects with step-by-step instructions . Instruction on washing, mounting and caring for your pieces

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Book SynopsisThis practical book is packed with instruction and ideas for the textile artist wanting to learn free-motion machine embroidery to create a seascape with fabric and stitch. As well as essential information and practical advice, it features three original step-by-step guides to coastal-inspired projects, which explain how to build a scene and capture the mood of the sea. Stunning finished examples show how you can develop your skills and confidence to create works in your own individual style.

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Book SynopsisThe beauty of embroidery by machine, explored in practical projects and inspirational designs - the book outlines all the techniques and materials you need to get started, with the help of 250 gorgeous photographs.

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Book SynopsisCreate lovely new "once upon a time" keepsakes with a blend of traditional and contemporary cross stitch.

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Book Synopsis500 unusual cross-stitch patterns blend gorgeous French vintage with a charming contemporary simplicity.

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Book SynopsisEnjoy cross-stitching your favorite people and create high-quality, fun, personal works of art!

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Book SynopsisLearn to make embroidery a way to treasure your life as you create three personal projects supported by the guidance, stories, and advice of 14 modern crafters. Modern society has put a premium on producing, and sometimes that hustle culture (Instagram likes! Etsy sales!) can drain some joy from crafting. This book helps embroidery fans abandon that notion and, instead, realize that life is about treasuring what''s important. Interviews with 14 creative stitchersfrom business owners to accomplished artistsmake readers feel embraced by community. Each artist shares photos of their creations, encouraging readers to incorporate empowering concepts into their stitching. Three step-by-step projects, personalized to the reader''s own preferences, teach how to: 1. use your threads to treasure and display your life's meaningful special objects. For instance, a special token of a favorite moment like

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Book SynopsisUnleash your creativity and learn a whole variety of hand embroidery techniques with Clare Albans from Hello! Hooray!. The Modern Embroidery Handbook is a perfect guide for stitchers of all levels, and is something you'll want to pick up from your bookshelf to refer to time and again. Inspired by vintage sewing companions, the follow up to Colourful Fun Embroidery contains step-by-step instructions for 72 different hand embroidery stitches, plus a large-scale sampler, alongside 20 brand new projects. Start with the basic ones most commonly found in embroidery designs, before experimenting with stitches for borders and edging, decorative stitches and motifs, as well as textural stitches and knots. The 20 modern projects give you an opportunity to try out all the stitches, and each one includes full step-by-step instructions, beautiful photos, and templates for you to create them yourself at home. The Modern Embroidery Handbook will encourage and inspire you to go beyond the embroidery h

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Book SynopsisStitch a kinder world with this collection of heartfelt designs from cross stitch designer Emma Congdon. This celebration of love in all its forms will heal your heart, one stitch at a time. Featuring stunning 20 patterns, with easy-to-read full-colour charts and step-by-step guidance, even beginner stitchers will fall in love with cross stitch!

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Book SynopsisA collection of designs and instructions for 20 cute and cuddly punch needle toys. They are part toy, part cushion, due to the simple outline shapes. Punch needle is a cross between weaving and embroidery and lends itself to really impactful designs but is still simple and fun to do.

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Book SynopsisThis guide explains how to stitch your own stories in fabric and thread to create a stitched journal. Author, Jessie Chorley, explains how to combine treasured items of fabric, threads and notions with techniques including simple patchwork, hand embroidery and applique, to create a unique, hand stitched book to treasure forever.

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Book SynopsisTake time out to be creative and de-stress with these colourful, fun embroidery projects from Hello! Hooray! Ranging from things you could complete in an afternoon to others that you can take your time over, enjoy every step of the making process as you focus on feeling good through being creative. The finished makes will bring colour and joy to your home, workspace and wardrobe. The projects in this book allow you to craft your creative time by selecting makes according to timescale. Choose one of the crafternoon makes' if you want that sense of joy at finishing something, a medium makes' project for the days where you have a little more time for crafting, or for something to really take your time over you could stitch one of the longer pick me up' projects. Each project includes step-by-step instructions, beautiful photos and inspirational ideas for how to make each project your own. So take time to be creative with this colourful, feel-good craft book!

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Book SynopsisThis book is a masterpiece of quilting. The 24th in the series--includes a range of quilts for all skill levels. Artist Kaffe Fassett is a name every quilter knows. His work has been commissioned by the British monarchy, American fashion designers, and the Royal Shakespeare Company. With his unerring eye, Kaffe has found the perfect location for his exquisite new collection of quilts, featuring both his scintillating new fabric designs and his classics, all in his unique colour palette. This time he has chosen the iconic 13th-century Powis Castle in north Wales, where the 20 quilts in this book are set off against the storybook castle and stunning grounds. Photographed brilliantly by Debbie Patterson, they are displayed in all their glory in a sumptuous eye-catching quilt gallery. The new designs include: Saturated red quilt consisting of rich deep hues Cold Frames quilt, with its dramatic black-and-white sashing framing fussy-cut flower prints The cool geometry of his Marble Tiles quilt takes its inspiration from the painted panelling in the Long Gallery Vintage Library quilt echoes the warm tones of the hundreds of leather-bound books in the Castle's collection. As usual, this book--the 24th in the series--includes a range of quilts for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced, and features an eclectic mix of patterns and colours ranging from Philip Jacobs' eye-catching bold floral prints to Brandon Mably's smaller-scale quirky patterns. In addition, flat shots, a practical know-how section, and a glossary back up the fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions for each quilt. This stunning book with impressive designs and eye-watering photography is as much of a keepsake as it is a beautiful gift for a loved one.

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Book SynopsisInvite light, warmth, and the freshness of spring into your home in time for Easter! Designer Thea Rytter, a fan favorite for her beautifully subtle color palettes and undeniable creativity, is back with a brand-new selection of decorations, ornaments, and more—including both well-known Easter classics such as colorful eggs and fluffy hares, and fun, festive springtime designs for flowers, feathers, and a sweet, soft friend or two. Welcome the season in style, with cozy, charming, characteristically Norwegian Easter knits. - Start small and work your way up: quick single-color patterns keep it simple for beginners, and wrapped-yarn projects like birds and feathers are perfect for kids - Once you've mastered the basic patterns for eggs, flowers, and miniature birds—shake things up with color changes, beads, embroidery, and more! - Step-by-step instructions, full-color photographs, and additional guidance for techniques like short-row shaping, to guide knitters who've never tackled them before.

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Book SynopsisKirsten Glasbrook demonstrates the ancient art of tapestry weaving using wool yarn, fine linen and cotton on simple rectangular frames with notches, or purpose-built looms for larger tapestries. She shows step by step how to weave gorgeous tapestries, from choosing colours and winding warps through to creating images and finishing off with tassels and beads. Readers will learn how to create horizontal and diagonal lines, curves, motifs, shading, outlines, borders and more. There is a gallery of beautiful finished works to inspire everyone from beginners to experienced weavers. This best-selling title has been re-issued to inspire a whole new generation.Trade ReviewWhen modern crafters think of tapestry weaving, they often think of the large-scale medieval tapestries that hang in museums or historical landmarks, but the history of tapestry stretches back much further, to ancient Egypt and other world cultures. In her introduction to tapestry weaving, Glasbrook provides an overview of basic loom setup, weaving techniques, and tapestry design in the form of a sampler project featuring abstract designs. Unlike other forms of weaving, tapestry weaving does not require an expensive loom—one can be made from a simple frame or even stiff cardboard. Glasbrook covers loom preparation, including winding the warp and warping the loom, selection of warp and weft yarn, and techniques for weaving a variety of patterns via a small sampler project. A gallery of Glasbrook’s work, along with tips and techniques for weaving similar projects, follows. VERDICT Tapestry isn’t generally covered in beginner weaving books, and there’s plenty of information here to get novices started with this fascinating and ancient craft. * Library Journal USA *Tapestry Weaving by Kirsten Glasbrook provides a logical and systematic approach to the craft. The book explains the weaving of woolen cloths, linen and cotton on simple rectangular frames with notches, or specially built looms for bigger work. The book explains many techniques, which are accompanied by step by step photographs such as such as deformation of weft lines, vertical appertures, diagonal shapes and curves. The book is suitable for beginners, but will also inspire experienced weavers too. * Textiel Plus *

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Book SynopsisExperiment with stitch, fabric and thread to create your own unique textiles. This inventive book is a treasure trove of over 40 inspiring practical exercises, a rich and creative exploration of fabric and stitch, and a fascinating all-round read. Elizabeth Healey's approach to sewing is that it should be fun, and not like a chore or an exam we need to excel in. Her aim is to simply encourage you to pick up a needle and thread and get sewing! The exercises draw inspiration from around the world: create corded works of art inspired by Milton Glaser's iconic Bob Dylan poster; create bold embroidered African masks; layer up and cut away to create Mola applique; use bleach and fabric paint to create Aboriginal dreamtime lizards; create knotted works of art inspired by ancient Mayan counting systems; embroider varsity cross-stitch letters or try out decorative Japanese book binding. Alternatively, try a host of other techniques such as quilting, printing, dyeing, couching tumbled crockery, creating pleats and puckers and needlelace. Packed with stitch galleries and bursting with slow sewing ideas, the book also contains 'behind the stitches' features: illuminating insights into sewing movements such as Boro textiles, Gee's Bend quilting and Dorset buttons.Trade ReviewAt first glance I thought this book is not for me. How wrong could I be. Its exciting, informative and fun. It has a theme of humour throughout the book. It looks at traditional basic stitches and explores different ways of using them. It asks what is thread? The short answer is anything can be used as thread as long as the material you are sewing into has an open enough weave to accommodate it. If you are looking to take stitching to the next level but don’t know how to this is the book for you. It is full of ideas and tips. Using everyday objects as a source it explores ways of using them in stitch. This book is packed full of detail from the history behind some of the stitches to Aboriginal Culture. There is so much in this book it’s practical, informative full of fun and the photography is superb. A book that has something for everyone with page after page of ideas. -- Muriel Campbell, Board Chair * Embroiderers Guild *Received my copy on Friday, it contains a great range of techniques that I've never seen before. I mainly do cross stitch and make soft toys, but your book has opened my eyes to maybe trying new things .Im especially keen to try patchwork and dying and pleating. Book is very informative and I look forward to moving on to some new ventures ,thanks for giving me the chance . :) -- Mary Strickland * Customer Review *In this guide, crafter Healey explores embroidery supplies and techniques, drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, including vintage textiles, street art, textile arts from around the world, nature, and modern art. A variety of stitches and fabrics are used, and her exploration of non-Western embroidery, such as Japanese boro textiles, Indian shisha, and South Asian kantha, will introduce these traditional techniques to a broader audience. The projects serve as an excellent jumping-off point for creative stitchers; Healey’s willingness to stitch with just about anything will inspire embroiderers to see the potential in everyday materials. VERDICT Embroiderers are a natural audience for this guide; however, crafters interested in crazy quilting will also find some interesting ideas. * Library Journal USA *For an abundance of drool worthy creative sewing inspiration, look no further than Elizabeth Healey's STITCH, FABRIC & THREAD (Search Press 2017). This 160-page book has over 40 inspirational techniques to learn, from decorative stitches to raised textures like knots, trapunto, cords, pleats, and pinches, drawn threadwork, mola applique, and more. Comprehensive information on threads, colors, and fabrics rounds out the contents, and makes for an easy leap to your own embellished garment and accessory projects. But whether or not you've got an itch to embellish, the photos alone will make this book a treasured resource. - in the Must Haves section of Vogue Patterns. * Vogue Patterns (Aug/Sept 2017) *July 2017 Pretty Patches contributor Elizabeth Healey brings her passion for textiles to Stitch, Fabric & Thread an exploration of stitched work including over 400 practical exercises. The projects draw inspiration from around the world, from embroidered African Masks to Aboriginal dreamtime lizards and Japanese Bookbinding. * Pretty Patches *This new book by Elizabeth Healey headlines as ‘an inspirational guide for creative stitchers’ and is an experimental book for those – perhaps fairly new to stitching – who wish to develop and play with their creative ideas. The book is not strictly a project book but it does include templates for some of the ideas for you to have a go. The book’s aim is to allow you to develop your own ideas from the wealth of techniques mentioned in the book, with the focus on different stitch types, both hand and machine. It begins with a back-to-basics look at tools, threads and material types that you can choose for stitching. It really assumes limited knowledge and is a very comprehensive introduction before you start creating. Then it leads into different stitch-based sections, starting with straight stitches. The first four pages of the section are a beautifully photographed visual exploration of different straight stitch techniques to whet your appetite before it focuses on more detailed techniques and ideas such as pojagi patchwork, kantha and creative darning. The book continues in a similar format with well-illustrated sections on chain and blanket stitches, textural raised stitches, fabric manipulation and embellishments. As before there is a quick visual overview followed by more detailed ideas.The author explores stitch ideas from around the World and the book is an interesting read too! It finishes with a very useful visual dictionary of stitches at the rear of the book and templates (not all at full-size) for some of the ideas to kick-start your creativity. You will enjoy this book if you want to stitch your own designs, but get ‘stuck’ coming up with ways to achieve your ideas. It is packed full of inspiring images that will help set you off on your creative journey. - See more at: http://www.thesewingdirectory.co.uk/stitch-fabric-and-thread/#sthash.H5eAb2gw.dpuf * The Sewing Directory *Wow! What a truly inspirational book. As soon as I opened the front cover I fund my self-itching to get started on another project inspired by this book. Elizabeth Healey has done an amazing job of drawing together ideas and inspiration from all over the world. Each chapter is based on one type of Stitch and shows you how you can expand on that type to create wonderful works of embroidery and textile art. All in all this book is definitely worth buying as I believe it is one you will go back to time and time again, for both reference and inspiration! -- Sian Lawton * Customer Review *Yes, I know this is a papercraft blog – but the source of my inspiration is frequently needlecraft and this new title by Elizabeth Healey is an appreciation of many of the fabric manipulation techniques that kindle my creative fire.This lively new title covers many wonderful needlecraft specialities, including shisha mirror embroidery, Suffolk puffs, penny rugs, mola (reverse appliqué) and so much more. All interspersed with a dash of cultural and/or historical background and super how-to tips. This book provides exactly what is says on the tin, delivering on the promise of the title's strap line. The projects are delightful and the author successfully updates many techniques with time-saving tweaks (such as the cheat’s molas worked with felt cut-outs – no edges to turn under). The fact that many (probably all) creative endeavours are underpinned by mathematical principles strikes fear in the heart of many crafters – Elizabeth Healey proudly revels in this knowledge, and shares her wondrous discoveries. She says , “I was once told that sewing is basically applied mathematics. If maths was your most hated subject at school, don’t panic”. Another gem is citing that creating a seemingly random pattern is not as easy as it sounds. Yay. A weekend browse of this book could send your crafting off in splendid new directions. Would also make a fab Mother’s Day gift. http://thepapercraftpost.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/stitch-fabric-thread-by-elizabeth.html * Papercraft Post *I bet that gorgeous cover grabbed your attention. It gives you some idea of the inspiration this book provides through practical exercises. The many techniques explored in this book are quilting, shisha embroidery, printing, mola, dyeing, couching, Japanese bookbinding and needlelace. You'll discover stitch galleries and features on sewing movements such as Boro textiles. Subtitled 'An Inspirational Guide For Creative Stitchers' this book includes : Before The Stitches - all about research and preparation; Running Stitches explores straight stitches; Chain and Blanket Stitches is another exploration of stitches and includes creating penny mats, one of my favourite projects in the book as well as stitched memories; Raised Stitches has some nice experimental ideas including Dorset buttons and More Than Stitches including Shibori techniques and mola and gathered circles and stitches at the very back of the book. The book is a basic introduction to stitch with projects that you can follow. Since it covers a lot of things, it should have broad appeal. With over 40 exercises there is bound to be many things you will love. I felt that even if you encountered nothing new, you would still find value in the projects and expression in this creative book. So much to love for stitchers here. * yarnsandfabrics.co.uk *Elizabeth Healey's book is an inspirational book indeed. As an embroiderer who takes a very playful approach to her craft, looking at spontaneity and improvisation rather than following patterns or rules, what we have in Stitch, Fabric and Thread is a book full of new and exciting approaches within a framework of what most people would feel comfortable with. Particular stitches are explored but go off on tangents. So with the running stitch, you look at the basics, then at a gallery of over 25 different ways of using straight stitch in your work. You then move onto a series of wildly different exercises or projects, all using running stitch. Chain and blanket stitches and later textured stitches are approached in the same way and you are moved far away from a pedestrian approach but taken on a roller coaster ride of stitching, stories and 'Behind the Stitches' which look more deeply into subjects ranging from Dorset Buttons to Boro Textiles or Mola Reverse Appliqué. It is an exciting book that feels like someone with a brain full of stitches and ideas has exploded onto the page. It is taken beyond the traditional book of stitches and goes one step further, moving from the stitch to all the different ways you could use it and making it a treasure trove of ideas. From making simple stitched forms to mini art forms, you have a really good book about making stitching fun and thinking outside the box. * Workshop on the web *Elizabeth takes a slightly unconventional approach with her first book by presenting a range of creative and inspirational projects based around stitch types. The projects are of a somewhat random nature, but explanations are given for each, allowing flexibility for the reader to expand the idea in her own way. A charming ideas book perfect for anyone wishing to experiment with fabric and thread. * East Kent Embroiderers Guild *I am an artist and do a bit of sewing in some of my artwork. I found this book inspiring. Lots of beautiful photos throughout the book. It is so creative and is definitely a book I will pick up time and again -- Heather Graham * Customer Review *The title of this book says it all - Stitch Fabric & Thread 'An Inspirational Guide for Creative Stitchers' - and it certainly is just that 'inspirational'. This lovely book is packed full of techniques, ideas and instruction for the avid stitcher that are beautifully illustrated and clearly explained - including embroidery, quilting, fabric painting, dyeing and much much more. It introduced me to many techniques that I had never seen before, and I will look to this book for a wealth of ideas and for practical stitch reference for many years to come -- Gaynor Lewis * Customer Review *We love this book, packed with stitch galleries and bursting with slow sewing ideas, the book also contains 'behind the scenes stitches' features; illuminating insights into sewing movements such as Boro textiles, Gee's bend quilting and Dorset Buttons. It is an absolute inspiration! * Hot Brands Cool Places *You only have to look at the cover of this book to feel inspired. With 160 pages of well illustrated information that can be difficult to find elsewhere this book is a must for every textile student, sewing enthusiast and mixed media artist. The book contained a wide range of textile techniques that have been explained well along with projects to try. Also included are answers to questions about how things work....for example...how a sewing machine works. This book contains more than the title suggests and is a joy to own. -- Gaye Parker * Customer Review *An excellent, inspiring book that gives lots of photos to easily explain ideas , that covers lots of techniques. I felt like a child in a sweet shop, that got me straight in my craft room trying ideas out . I can recommend the book to anyone that is trying and playing with new inspiring techniques. -- Karen Meakin * Customer Review *The illustrations in this book are really good and there are clear instructions to help you create some wonderful stitching projects. The layout of the book makes you want to try all the different techniques and overall, it's given me some new inspiration. -- Joanne Crosby * Customer Review *This is a lovely inspiring sewing book to relax with and absorb ideas from. The author has a particular style emulating nature and using soft subtle natural shades and ethnic inspiration, using traditional stitching techniques which becomes apparent throughout the book. It all makes for a very soothing and restful style which is nevertheless exciting and innovative. As well as lots of tips and techniques there are specific projects to try with step by step guidelines and templates. Techniques covered which I had not come across before include Boro stitching and Mola applique and there are some great ideas for making and using Dorset buttons which I've already begun and find them fascinating. A must read for imaginative stitchers and would be textile artists, to add to your sewing library and gain insight and creativity from. -- Jan Lambert * Customer Review *I so wish there were a higher star rating that I could give as this book is PHENOMENAL! Elizabeth Healey has absolutely jam-packed this book with ideas, exercises, prompts and knowledge for stitching in a range of contexts and inspirations. You can see from the contents page at how detailed this book is, but it isn’t ever overwhelming! The book’s layout and the structure have been expertly thought through and crafted so that you, as the reader and maker, are taken on a textile journey. Even the subtle page decorations are inspirational as you go through the book… Before starting the stitches, Elizabeth talks about the importance of preparation in terms of tools, sketchbooks and recording, threads, fabrics, colour, image inspiration and more. What I really love is how Elizabeth really brings it back to basics in exploring these factors. For example, Elizabeth talks about the different fabrics in such detail (their weave, their formation, their weight) and, even if you thought you know lots about fabric, it is so informative and inspiring. I adore how Elizabeth also encourages you to think ethically about your fabrics too with a specific section on ethical textiles and textile recycling. Once the preparation is covered, Elizabeth then begins to explore the stitches with the first section being based on straight stitches. Now, don’t be fooled! Straight stitches are so incredibly versatile, and Elizabeth demonstrates this beautifully with a phenomenal 26 visual prompts for using straight stitch including (but not limited to) chicken scratch, seed stitch, kantha, boro, sashiko and much, much more. I love how each of the 26 prompts is presented visually at the start of that section so that you can see exactly what the stitch idea is. Then the in-action prompts begin and the layout for each activity/prompt is exquisite! The technique/stitch is explained alongside the materials, the instructions and stunning photography. What is also incredibly clever is that a lot of the prompts also contain an ‘elsewhere’ section which is almost like an extension of that prompt and encourages you to look further into that specific technique/inspiration. Continuing this inspirational and flawless layout, the second section explores ‘chain and blanket stitches’ (shisha, felt, mail art, stitching on knit and more), the third section explores ‘raised stitches’ (embellishing prints, scattered french knots, couching) alongside pattern repeats, natural dyes, ink and bleach experimentation with the fourth and final section exploring ‘more than stitches’ (shibori techniques, texture, rag books, applique, drawn thread and more). If you’re new to stitching, or just want a refresher on stitching techniques, then there is also a detailed and easy-to-follow section on the range of stitches used towards the end of the book. I genuinely don’t know how to rave about this book any higher. If there is only one book that you buy this year then I would really, really recommend that you choose this one as it is phenomenal from start to finish! Stunning photography, flawless and accessible structure/layout, inspiration in abundance and so much more! -- Naomi Clarke * naomialice.com *Table of ContentsIntroduction 6 Before the stitches 8 Tools: everything or nothing 10 How a sewing machine works 12 The importance of sketchbooks 13 What is thread? 14 What is fabric? 16 Colour 20 Behind the stitches: The quilters of Gee’s Bend 22 Altered images 24 Toning it down 26 Humble stitches 28 Straight ahead: running stitches 30 Exploring straight stitches 32 Lovely jubbly 36 Pojagi patchwork 38 Intentionally random 40 Kantha fishes 42 Behind the stitches: Boro textiles 44 Visible mending 46 A leaf out of my book 48 Type matters 50 Varsity letters 52 African mask 54 Colourful cords 56 String theory 58 In the loop: chain and blanket stitches 60 Exploring blanket and chain stitches 62 Japanese binding 66 Behind the stitches: Saving your pennies 70 Penny wall hanging 72 Fluxus & mail art 74 Stitched memories 76 Silhouette-a-hula 78 Stitching on knits 80 Texture: introduction to raised stitches 82 Exploring raised stitches 84 Mini quilt 88 Drawing with Stitch 90 Dreamtime lizard 92 Seamless repetition 94 Talking knots 96 Natural dyes 98 Behind the stitches: The rise and fall of Buttony 100 Making buttons 102 More than stitches 104 Shibori 106 Pleats, folds and pinches 108 Texture and illusion 112 Worn and loved 114 Behind the stitches: Mola reverse appliqué 116 Mola: chicken or egg? 118 Chunky rouleaux 122 Drawn thread 124 Behind the stitches: Marriage quilts 126 Trapunto Graffiti 128 Gathered Circles of Joy 130 Behind the stitches: Not to be sniffed at 132 A Christening gift 134 Mirror, mirror 136 Mudlarking 138 Fibonacci flower 140 The poor sewer’s embellisher 142 Paisley Park 144 The stitches 146 Templates 152 Glossary 158 Further Reading 159 Index 160

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Book SynopsisHand-stitched Landscapes and Flowers is a beautiful exploration of the potential of embroidery in depicting the natural world. Katrina Witten, who is a regular on crafts channel Hochanda, uses no more than six simple stitches for each embroidery, plus delicate embellishments and an array of techniques and fabrics to portray pastoral scenes of fields, flowers and creatures with eye-catching three-dimensional effects. There are ten detailed projects to try, depicting, among others, a hedgerow, a bluebell-emblazoned woodland, sunflowers, a poppy field and a summer scene of buddleia, butterflies and bees.Trade ReviewThis book was made for me. I love it. There are 10 detailed projects that include some beautiful flowers and wildlife. The results are stunning with all the embellishments you can use as well. The explanations are simple and easy to understand and you only use 6 simple stitches. The illustrations are plentiful and give you the inspiration you need as you have a perfect idea of what the finished result will look like. I have nearly finished my first project and intend to complete them all. A great book for anyone who loves hand stitching. -- Andrea Tinkler * Customer review *I love the simplicity and uniqueness of the simple handstitched embroidery technique shown in the book. It's easy to follow and the results are amazing. A sure shot book for collection by those keen on handstitched embroidery. -- Harneet Farmahan * Customer review *This book was bigger than i had thought and it covers everything you will need to know to recreate the beautiful projects. It starts by explaining the different fabrics, threads and yarns, useful equipment, etc. then carries on to give detailed instructions on the stitches you will need to use. Each project is fully explained and easy to follow and I cant wait to work my way through them. Five stars. -- Jayne Hinks * Customer review *I've done a little basic embroidery and cross stitch and am looking for something a little more taxing. I am so pleased to have found Katrina Witten's book. Her philosophy of only using a few of the basic embroidery stitches, with photographic directions to each, to such great effect is less daunting than other books that include more. She introduces us to incorporating texture, making 3-D art and includes all the templates needed as well as teaching us how to make our own embroidery projects. This is a beautiful book in its own right. Photography and projects are stunning. I am not disappointed. -- Louise Blackah * Customer review *The book is perfect for beginners, great clear images and step-by-step instructions makes it really easy to follow. Lots of reference at the beginning showing different methods. I cant wait to make my first hand-stitched landscape. -- Debbie Prince * Customer review *This book would suit any level of embroiderer wishing to delve into a riot of colour and add some mixed media to their projects together with taking a more simple approach with the use of only six stitches! -- Teresa Phillips * SEW Region Magazine (June 2019) *Exploring the natural world through stitch is something that many of us do, so I am sure this book will prove popular. It embraces a variety of subjects from flowers to butterflies. A good variety of techniques and stitches are used throughout the 10 embroidery projects included. This is a book full of inspiration and ideas for embroiderers new and old. Learn to use different fabrics and threads. Find equipment, materials and embellishments to enhance projects. There is a short section on design and composition. The stitch section is very good and amply illustrated. The techniques section includes working with organza and three-dimensional effects. The projects included are Hedgerow, Woodland, Cornflowers, Sunflowers, Butterfly, Poppy Field, Poppies, Flower, Buddleja and Hydrangea. Templates and outlines are included at the back of the book. However, if you study the techniques, stitch and equipment sections, you will be able to use them to create many other projects. A lovely introduction to capturing nature in stitch. -- Karen Platt * www.karenplatt.co.uk *This beautiful illustrated guide shows readers how to create landscapes and flowers using hand-stitching and layered organza. TV crafter and designer Katrina Witten uses a range of simple stitches for each project, together with delicate embellishments and a selection of techniques to portray pleasing pastoral scenes. * Craft Focus April/May 2019 *This long-awaited book from Katrina Witten, founder of Rowandean Embroidery, does not disappoint! Her message in this gloriously colourful volume is simply to ‘have a go’ and Katrina’s aim is to inspire all to have fun with fabrics and threads and create a small piece of art using a few simple stitches. After exploring materials, techniques and stitches, there is advice on how to begin a design, with templates provided where required, followed by ten easy projects to work. These delightful projects, with step- by-step instructions are small and achievable and perfect for those new to embroidery. However, the more experienced stitcher can build on the designs, interpreting and being as creative as they wish. Highly recommended. * East Kent Embroiderers’ Guild *The first half of this beautiful book is techniques. stitch guide and everything you will need to know to create these wonderfully realistic 'pictures'. The tuition within the pages is something that people pay good money for, so this book is well worth having if you are a fan of embroidery. Katrina Witten has given us a masterclass in her art, and the projects that are included are absolutely stunning. Even if you are a beginner embroiderer, you will be able to start making something that will have a professional look and a gorgeous finish. The use of organza, beads and other embellishments gives texture and form. Appliqué and other techniques are simply demonstrated and explained, and each project has a picture tutorial to guide you. There are templates included, and what I loved about this book is the array of colour that is used to give the designs a delightful and brilliant look. The flowers include beautiful Cornflowers, Cow Parsley, Poppies and so much more, it really is a walk through a summer field. This is an affordable book that could be a gift for embroidery lovers, and it is one that is well worth the shelf space in your craft room. -- Tracy Shephard * Postcard Reviews *If you are looking for an introduction to creating embroidery pictures, this is a perfect place to start. With a comprehensive introduction to materials, fabrics, stitches and techniques this beautiful book will inspire you to create the most gorgeous projects, including hedgerows, fields and stunning individual flowers. * Hot Brands Cool Places *'I love the hands on approach to embroidery in this book. There are no dreary rules here, only the freedom to express yourself in stitches (and beads). You can see why this method is known as freestyle; this author has her own approach and explains how it is done, together with advice on designing your own work. As well as the various threads and small beads she uses a lot of organza, both for backgrounds, torn up for flowers and in various other ways, all to great effect.' -- Rachel Hyde * myshelf.com *Table of ContentsIntroduction Materials and fabrics: Threads and yarns Equipment: Embellishments Inspiration: Designing an embroidery The stitches Techniques: Mounting fabric in a spring tension hoop Working with organza Applying beads Melting out appliqué motifs Achieving three-dimensional effects: Trees Rocks and pebbles Loose grasses Dry-stone walls Sheep Flower centres The projects: Hedgerow with Cow Parsley Woodland with Bluebells Cornflowers Sunflowers Butterfly pincushion Poppy Field Oriental Poppies Flower Doodles Moving on: Buddleia, Bee and Butterflies Hydrangea Templates Index

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Book SynopsisThis sumptuous and inspiring book, written by needlework expert Trish Burr and created in association with The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is a stunning, contemporary guide to embroidering flowers. All the reusable iron-on transfers needed are kept safely together with the book in an attractive hardback folder. Focusing mainly on long-and-short stitch and Trish's delicate, considered use of silk shading, the book contains all the clearly-illustrated stitches needed, and gives thorough advice on preparation and choosing fabrics and threads – including a handy thread conversion chart. The embroideries are reworkings of botanical artworks from Kew's Art Collection. There is one 'starter' project to encourage readers to try out the techniques, one large sampler containing 18 small elements that can be worked individually or as a group, and nine further projects – including a striking spider chrysanthemum, an elegant waterlily and an opulent magnolia. All the projects are shown step-by-step, with an order of work diagram given where appropriate. The enclosed reusable iron-on transfer papers offer embroiderers a fast and accurate method of transferring the designs - the transfers simply need ironing on to fabric so that the reader can start embroidering straight away. The templates are also included at full size at the back of the book. This stunning yet practical book is a must-have for anyone interested in capturing flowers in thread.Trade ReviewTake inspiration from the natural world with needlework expert Trish Burr's embroidery guide, made in association with The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Learn new stitching methods while creating intricate spider chrysanthemums, striking magnolias and much more. The book also comes with reusable iron-on transfer papers so you can get started straight away. * Sew Magazine *Another fantastic Search Press craft book. The photos are beautiful and detailed and the instructions are clear to follow. The author has given step-by-step instructions for beginners but the projects will appeal to more experienced embroiders too. A gorgeous book with lovely projects to make. -- Louise Coyle * Amazon *This is a beautifully written and illustrated book, very clear instructions for beginners and improvers! Lots of information about threads and stitches before you start on a new project, can’t wait for my new threads to come to start on a simple project, as I have only done a little hand embroidery in the past I look forward to accomplishing some more intricate projects in the future. -- Sandra Wood * Amazon *We have to admit, we will never get enough of Trish’s exquisite needlepainting, and this book doesn’t disappoint. This time, she’s combined her prodigious talent with the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England, to bring you 11 gorgeous floral projects rendered in her easy-to-follow yet photographically perfect way. For the Kew Book of Embroidered Flowers, Trish has chosen a range of unusual designs which can be worked individually or as one spectacular botanical study, packed with colour and life. Trish’s books are known for their uncomplicated instructions and the gentle progression from simple to complex, and this book is no different. You can begin with the starter project – a vivid purple Japanese Anemone, then work, step-by-step through the book, mastering flowers, plants and insects until you reach the magnificent Magnolia and intricate Poppy sampler at the end. Beautifully presented in a hardcover folder, the book also comes with a set of reusable iron-on transfers tucked into the elegant cover slip, so you don’t have to hand draw your patterns on to your fabric. Naturally, if you prefer, all of the patterns are also provided for you in the back of the book so you are really spoilt for choice. It is difficult to decide which of these striking botanical studies is our favourite, so taken are we by each and every piece. This is a must for any Trish Burr lover, as well as any lover of floral and botanical imagery. Make sure to secure your copy now. * Inspirations *The Kew Book of Embroidered Flowers is a beautiful book exploring botanical textile art through needle painting (a form of surface embroidery). The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew have a special place in my heart (after I got engaged there) so I had high expectations of this book to do justice to such a beautiful setting with a vast collection of botanicals and botanical illustrations. The botanical illustrations within Kew’s Library, Art and Archives collection have offered inspiration for many makers, crafters and artists since it was established in the mid-19th century. Trish Burr offers a new and inspiring insight into Kew’s botanical illustrations through her 11 embroidery projects. The book starts off with a beautifully detailed section explaining terminologies, materials, tools, and preparation activities. Trish then begins to explain the different stitches. I found these pages not only visually stunning, but clear and accessible. Each stitch is explained with clear tips, methods, diagrams, and photos both how-to for the stitch and for the finished flower using that stitch. Once all these areas have been covered, Trish then starts to guide you through the projects! These projects are grouped according to their difficulty and range from “simple projects” through to “advanced projects”. Each project is so sumptuously presented with beautiful stitching, a clear information list (about materials, project size), information about the illustration that inspired Trish’s textile interpretation and a step-by-step guide for stitching the botanical for yourself. I love how each project also has an accompanying, reusable transfer sheet (with information about how to use the transfer sheet) so that you don’t have to worry about getting the botanical shape correct… you can just start stitching! This really is a breath-taking book and the photography, the information, the projects, and the overall feel of the book is absolutely flawless! A true 5* book which is going to be a beautiful book for anyone interested in art, making, botanicals, Kew, sewing and creating! -- Naomi Clarke * naomialice.com *As well as sewing and quilting, I am very interested in botanical painting and I often indulge myself in painting flowers and botanical subjects. I also love flowers and gardening, so I was very excited to see Trish's interpretation of the Kew collection of fine art botanical subjects in embroidery. When the book arrived, I was struck by the luxury of it - a sumptuous edition with the book wrapped in a practical hard-backed folder to store all the embroidery transfers you need for the projects in the book. There is an elastic closure on the folder to hold the book and transfers neatly in place. Beautiful it certainly is, but it's also a highly practical source book, packed with techniques for you to re-create Trish's stunning embroideries in stitch. As well as sewing and quilting, I am very interested in botanical painting and I often indulge myself in painting flowers and botanical subjects. I also love flowers and gardening, so I was very excited to see Trish's interpretation of the Kew collection of fine art botanical subjects in embroidery. When the book arrived, I was struck by the luxury of it - a sumptuous edition with the book wrapped in a practical hard-backed folder to store all the embroidery transfers you need for the projects in the book. There is an elastic closure on the folder to hold the book and transfers neatly in place. Beautiful it certainly is, but it's also a highly practical source book, packed with techniques for you to re-create Trish's stunning embroideries in stitch. The book includes eleven wonderful projects for beginners and beyond, including embroideries of a camellia, waterlily, and magnolia. I particularly love the Flower Sampler that consists of eighteen small elements in a stunning completed project, or that can be stitched individually. I decided I'm going to have a go at stitching the blackberry. For a small design, it uses twelve colours of thread to build up a stunning design and richness of colour. The folder edition of the book includes all the iron-on transfers you need plus outlines of each design. The iron-on transfers are on thick paper and can be stored in the cellophane envelope that comes with the book. I used the iron-on transfer to get the blackberry design onto a piece of fabric I had actually dyed with real blackberry juice! I will be using this in a special book about the hedgerows that I am making. The instructions for using the transfers are at the end of the book and were very clear to follow. The iron-on design is useable more than once as I prepared a second blackberry for my project. Each design in the book is photographed in excellent detail with step-by-step images to guide you through each stage. The final project in the book is a poppy sampler in the style of a botanical plate and is exquisite. You can achieve this yourself with the comprehensive instructions in the book. I am in awe of this book - it is stunning to look at in itself for anyone with a love of flowers and gardening, but the designs within are so well illustrated and explained that, with some practice, anyone who loves to embroider will be able to achieve them. -- Julie Briggs * The Sewing Directory *In association with The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, here's the ultimate guide to embroidering flowers. The reusable iron-on transfers are in a hardback folder, ready to use. Full size templates are also included. This stunning, practical book is a must-have for anyone interested in capturing flowers in thread. * Machine Knitting Monthly *Trish Burr reinterprets botanical artworks from the archives at Kew Gardens through her delicate and detailed needle paintings; bringing out their colours and giving them a three dimensional quality. A must-have for anyone interested in capturing flowers in thread. * Stitch *Every once in a while a book arrives that you cannot wait to open – The Kew Book of Embroidered Flowers by Trish Burr is such a book, this is a beautiful book, everything from the actual production and presentation of the book, to the illustrations inside, is truly inspiring. Kew’s Library, Art & Archives was established in the 1850’s and now forms one of the greatest collections of botanical information found anywhere.As well as supporting the work of Kew’s scientists and horticulturalists it is also accessed by thousands of researchers, garden enthusiasts, historians and the general public around the world. It is from this collection that Trish Burr’s beautiful embroideries have taken their inspiration. The illustrations are exquisite and the detailed instructions contain everything to encourage any embroiderer to want to create their own examples. The contents include a Foreword by Kew detailing their work. An Introduction from Trish explaining her own journey and encouraging everyone from beginner to advanced to become involved in creating their own work. Trish uses a technique called needle painting, this is a technique of surface embroidery like painting a picture on fabric with a needle and thread, this is also known as silk shading, long-and-short shading, or thread painting. She also includes very comprehensive details including everything you need to know to enable you to get started; including tools and materials, preparation, stitch instructions, how to practise the stitches, outlines, raised embroidery, anatomy of a flower, and useful advice before you start. The projects are then divided into: Simple projects including: Japanese anemone, Flower sampler, Clematis, Camellia Intermediate projects including: Rhododendron, Waterlily, Iris, Spider chrysanthemum Advanced projects including: Rose, Magnolia, Poppy Finally there are details on thread substitutes, the collection of templates and how to use the iron-on transfers. The detail is so helpful, the step-by-step instructions take you through each stage of creating the pieces and the illustrations themselves are outstanding. Embroidery is such a satisfying and wonderful activity and this gorgeous book is destined to become a beautiful heirloom providing inspiration for many generations to come, we absolutely adored it! Highly Recommended! * Beautiful Heirloom Home *Trish Burr is a needlework designer in South Africa, and she has written many, many books, most notably about needlepainting, which is her specialty. With her vast experience, her ever-developing style and approach, and her exquisite sense of colour combinations for shading, it is no wonder that Trish would be the needle artist to delve into the Kew Archives (from the Royal Botanic Gardens), in order to reproduce some of their botanical illustrations in needle and thread. The resulting book, published by Search Press as part of their 50th Anniversary line-up of stellar art and craft books, is a wonderful collection of floral and garden-related cameos for the embroiderer to stitch. The book is extra-special, thanks to a few nuances and extras that we don’t often find in this type of embroidery book. So, let’s take a look at it! First, let’s talk about what’s different. The physical properties of the folio edition of the book are different. Most of us, if we are getting the book now, are most likely going to go for this folio edition, which is the one that’s available for pre-order. The other edition – it’s a straightforward hardbound edition for libraries – lacks this outer folder that holds both the soft-bound version of the book and a packet of iron-on transfers, to make your journey into the projects much easier! The hard-board folio cover protects the book and the transfers and closes with an elastic band. It’s a lot like a moleskin notebook… a very large moleskin notebook. The folio cover and the presence of iron-on transfers are probably the greatest differences you’ll notice right away with this book, but there are other nuances within the book itself that are slightly different from Trish’s previous books. You might not notice it right off the bat, because many art and craft books these days have morphed into this approach, but some of the photos in here are larger than life. They are big, making it easy to see the details of the embroidery. The little berry element, for example, which is part of the Floral Sampler found under Simple Projects, is about 1.5″ high from the tip of the stem to the base of the berry when transferred at the given size. In the book, the photo of the berry is around 5.5 – 6″ from tip of stem to base of berry. So, it’s super enlarged, and you can’t miss the details! This is a good thing, I think. Seeing details is helpful when it comes to exploring a technique, especially as a beginner. But it can give you a sense of discombobulation when you set about embroidering. You don’t necessarily realize that the item you’re about to embroider is significantly smaller than the image of it, until you transfer it. This is one of the problems I run into with blogging, too. Close-up photos of embroidery shown on a website tend to give the sense that the piece is much larger than it actually is, and when you sit down to stitch it, there’s a period of adjustment while you get used to the difference in the real size versus the perceived size. Still, I’d rather have too much detail than too little, especially when I’m learning something new! Ok, let’s look at what’s in the book! The Kew book is both an instructional book and a project book. The projects range from simple to advanced. If you are a beginner in needlepainting, you can start at the beginning of the book to get your feet wet, and then move into deeper waters. If you are experienced, you can jump in anywhere. At the beginning of the book, you’ll find introductions to Kew, to Trish and the book’s contents, and to needlepainting in general. Before getting into the projects, you’ll find the background information for getting started, from fabrics, threads, tools, and basic techniques. Much of the preliminary instruction is offered via diagrams and via close-up photos that demonstrate the techniques. It’s all very clear, as you would expect. Trish goes into detail demonstrating approaches to shading, to colour combinations, stitch direction, and so forth. There are ‘11 inspiring projects’ within the book… technically. Really, there are 28. There are two projects in the book that really excite me the most, although they are all beautiful in their own way. The first is under ‘Simple Projects’, and it’s called the ‘Flower Sampler’. It encompasses 18 embroidered elements (20, if you count each individual embroidered element), each of which can be taken out of sampler context and used as its own little practice project. I love this sampler. I love the idea of it. I love the beauty of the finished, whole sampler. And I love the fact that each element could really stand on its own as a mini project. For each element in the sampler – some of which are not necessarily flowers – you get a materials list, the design, and step-by-step instructions on how to stitch it. You’ll also get a larger-than-life photo with clear details of the embroidery, which will serve well to help you successfully stitch your version. There’s a magnificent bee, by the way… Now, this is where Trish’s artistry really shines. I mean, it shines everywhere, but I’m especially besotted with the bee. Check out the bee wing. It’s solidly embroidered. There’s no translucent anything there – the threads are solid colours. But it is a wonder to behold. It looks translucent, thanks to her subtle shading, drawing in the colours behind the wing and bringing them to the forefront while stitching it. It’s fabulous! There are many simple projects in the book, then, if you consider the sampler as individual projects, too. Then, there are intermediate projects that build on the knowledge and skills you’ve gleaned from the first section of the book. There are four intermediate projects, including studies of the rhododendron, the waterlily, the iris, and the spider chrysanthemum which graces the cover of the book. For those of you who have followed Trish for years, you’ll probably notice some slight adjustments in her style and approach here and there throughout the book. The rhododendron, for example, has a definite contemporary and somewhat trendy look to it. So, you can expect to see some variation in Trish’s interpretations – they are not necessarily all sketchy-botanical looking. Some pieces are very boldly contemporary. There are three advanced projects: a rose, a magnolia, and a poppy sampler. The poppy sampler is my second favourite in the book! It’s just lovely. And it would be a wonderful study in long and short shading. I think I have A Thing for things called samplers. The poppy sampler can also be broken down into at least two – if not more – projects. In the more advanced projects, you’ll see that Au Ver a Soie silks enter the materials lists. Yay! I’m a huge fan of needlepainting with silk. I know there is a school of thought out there that favours stranded cotton for needlepainting (also called “silk shading”) but I’ve always thought that there’s nothing quite as beautiful as silk shading worked with silk! In the back of the book, Trish offers a list of thread substitutions for those who wish to work some of the projects in silk. This is handy! Thread substitutions are never absolutely exact, but it’s a nice springboard for those who like to adjust their own colour palettes and thread types. Finally, of course, there’s the pattern section. If you have the folio edition of the book, though, thankfully, you won’t have to go through a meticulous transfer process! Wow! Heaven! I’m not going to pro and con this book. If you love needlepainting, if you want to explore needlepainting fully, if you love botanicals, you’re going to love this book. You’re going to want the special folio edition. And you’ll find it a treasure. -- Mary Corbet * Needle 'n' Thread *Sometimes Search Press really goes the whole nine yards and produces a book with extra wow factor. From its larger format, sturdy colourful covers, and elastic to keep it closed like a box you know that something special hides within, and you won’t be disappointed. Inside is a pocket full of transfers for stitching eleven stunning studies of flowers from Kew Garden’s botanical illustration collection. The lush colours and elegant layouts of 18th and 19th century botanical art are just made to be captured in embroidery, especially the thread painting style worked mostly in long and short stitch. The author promises that this is not too difficult for even a beginner to master, and there are not many stitches to learn. Mostly it is a case of practising getting the shading right and there are quite a few staged photographs to show the right way. You won’t need many tools and materials; a slate frame or hoop, six stranded cotton floss and fabric is most of what you will require. You can learn how to work the various stitches as well as prepare a hoop, use transfers, choose materials and care for your finished work. To limber you up for the actual projects there are several simple pieces, all with captioned photographs as well as a diagram showing the order of work, list of threads and anything else you need. All sizes are given in both imperial and metric, and after the first project there is an option of working a sampler featuring another 18 small studies plus two simpler larger projects. Following this are two more chapters containing the intermediate and advanced projects, the latter of which concludes with another sampler. Full projects typically have photographic stages with arrows indicating what colour floss, essential when working on complex, variegated flowers with a lot of different shades. Each finished piece is shown in a large format, often over two pages so you can appreciate its beauty and see what you are working to achieve. At the back is a handy table of thread substitutes so you can opt for DMC instead of the more costly and harder to source (at least in the UK) Au Ver A Soie thread. When your transfers have worn out, or you want to work on a dark background there are also full-sized outlines for tracing, showing that the author has thought of everything! This is one of my top choices for this year and a book to treasure. -- Rachel A Hyde * myshelf.com *I was delighted to be asked to review this book. Having grown up less than seven miles from Kew gardens I have happy memories of family visits to Kew. I have been aware of Trish’s books for a while. I was always a bit daunted by the pictures I had seen. How could I possibly even think about starting one of her projects and achieve such amazing results? With this book think that it might just be possible! The book itself starts with hints and tips for stitching, predominantly using silk shading (also known as needle painting). The most beautiful flower projects are given, all inspired by the library of art and archives at Kew Gardens, the largest collection of its type. Trish begins with good explanation of the types of fabrics you could use for your project, setting out the pros and cons of each. She goes on to explain the threads used and how to use them. Also covered is the types of frames, needles, and other accessories to use as well as tips for when you have finished such as how to wash, block and mount your completed work. There are detailed instructions, photos and line drawings explaining the stitches used, with tips for those perhaps new silk shading – starting with simple leaves and petals, showing direction of stitch and colour changes. This then builds to introduce additional stitches to enhance your embroidery – French knots, satin stitch, padding and outlining. Next on to the set projects – starting with a lovely Japanese anemone. It is so well photographed at every stage, that a flower could otherwise appear daunting, is achievable. The projects then build as you work through the book. There is a sampler with 18 separate elements including some insects as wells as flowers that could be stitched individually or as the intended sampler. Trish then moves onto the intermediate projects which begin to use silks rather than stranded cottons but could be completed with stranded cotton if wished. Finally, we have advanced projects, rose, magnolia, and poppy all with comprehensive shading instructions and photos including very detailed close up pictures. Everything is so clearly illustrated with instructions and pictures, even the advanced projects seem achievable. In the winter when I personally find stitching more difficult with lack of natural light, I can see myself just sitting down and turning its pages. It is beautiful, inspiring, well put together and every purchase supports the work of Kew saving plants and fungi around the world. -- Alison Cross * The SEW Region Magazine - Book Threads *A beautifully illustrated book that will inspire all embroiderers, this book is the result of an invitation to Trish Burr from the Royal Botanic Gardens to examine their extensive collection of botanical illustrations and to reproduce a selection of the illustrations as embroideries. While principally a book on thread painting, the author has used other stitches where appropriate to bring the subjects to life. The details found in the botanical illustrations have been faithfully reproduced in the embroidered works. Rather than being too prescriptive with respect to the materials required to complete the projects, the author provides a good discussion on the pros and cons on background fabric, thread and hoop/frame options. This book has been designed for use by embroiderers of all skill levels. There is an excellent tutorial at the beginning of the book covering the stitches required to complete the projects. The illustrations are excellent and there are examples of petal shapes that can be used to practise shading and colour blending before starting a project. There are 11 projects divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced sections. The photos of the finished projects leap off the page. They are all well presented with easy to follow step-by-step directions and beautiful macro photos of each of the steps, providing excellent guidance on stitch and colour placement. Trish has used the silk threads of Au Ver à Soie in a number of the projects and the subtle colour movement across the embroidered petals gives the smooth, lush appearance of newly unfurled petals just before they are damaged by weathering and insects. The intricate details recorded in the original botanical illustrations have been superbly translated into stitch and the choice of colours and subtle blending of colour throughout the projects is true to nature. There is one particularly good illustration of this in the selection of colours for the bee wings. By selecting a lighter shade of the same tones as the rest of the abdomen of the bee and then outlining the edges and veins of the wings with straight stitch, the wings appear to be transparent. It looks amazing. Each project references the botanical illustration and artist, but I love botanical and zoological drawings as they help you focus on the details in the original subject material and would have loved to see the original illustration beside the embroidered reproduction. (Editor: To see these visit Kew’s website). For anyone who wants to learn or further develop their thread painting skills, this book will help give you the confidence to develop your own projects. -- Sue Swann * Threads *Table of ContentsForeword by Kew 6 Introduction 8 What is needle painting? 10 Tools and materials 10 Preparation 16 Stitch instructions 20 Securing your thread Long-and-short stitch Split stitch Satin stitch French knots Bullion stitch Practise the stitches Outlines 30 Raised embroidery 32 Anatomy of a flower 34 Useful advice before you start 35 Simple projects 36 Japanese anemone 38 Flower sampler 44 Clematis 94 Camellia 100 Intermediate projects 106 Rhododendron 108 Waterlily 116 Iris 122 Spider chrysanthemum 128 Advanced projects 134 Rose 136 Magnolia 144 Poppy 154 Thread substitutes 163 The templates 164 Using the iron-on transfers 176

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Book SynopsisFrame it, wear it, look awesome. Stitch a multitude of embroidery designs - all within a cute and tiny mini hoop! Following the simple instructions inside, learn how to create over 60 tiny masterpieces in a wide range of styles by original mini embroidery hoop creator Sonia Lyne, founder of Dandelyne (TM). Using these little hoops as your canvas learn to stitch it all, from classic embroidered flowers and applique animals through to abstract stitch 'n' paint shapes and tasselled creatures. Then, proudly frame and decorate your stitched art and turn them into eye-catching jewellery pieces, or display them in your home for ultimate hoopy gorgeousness. Beginner embroiderers and experienced stitchers short on time will love the small size of these hoops, and almost all the designs can be made in a weekend. Throughout the book, Sonia gives you tips on colour and stitch variations, as well as alternative hoop shapes you could use from her mini hoop packs, inspiring you to make these little designs truly your own! Whatever your style, there's a treasure trove of stunning designs and motifs to stitch and adapt, encouraging you to grow confident in building (and feeling proud of) your own artistic juices. So get ready to be motivated, excited and inspired to stitch up a sea of mini masterpieces that you'll love to show off and gift to a loved one (or make for yours truly...).Trade ReviewGorgeous book just as you expect from Search Press. This is a great book for any Dandelyne follower to have in their crafting collection. -- Angela Harkness * Customer review *As a crafter, embroidery is still something I had to try so thought that this would be a great place to start. It's a fantastic book witch packs a lot of valuable information and projects to try. Everything is explained simply and everything you need to make a project is surprisingly cheap. The projects included are really fun, vibrant and different. You're encouraged to use your own imagination to create little works of art with really simple stitches which are well explained and pictured. It's a great book for new and advanced embroiderers alike and I would highly recommend it. -- Ali O'Donnell * Customer review *This is a very informative book with easy to follow instructions. Exploring many different textile mediums. With this book you can create many beautiful pieces, either to keep or to give away. A book well worth having in your collection. -- Jennifer Smith * Customer review *This is a great book. Whether you are a beginner or experienced at embroidery this book is a must have. It is packed with hints and tips. The ideas within the designs appear achievable. Great projects that will be completed within a short time. I see myself using this book for ideas and inspiration. Already looking forward to the arrival of my order of frames. -- Kathy Campbell * Customer review *Fantastic book as I've been embroidering for a few year there's still thing to learn from the book especially the printed embroidery -- Jennifer Brain * Customer review *Create embroidery pictures you'll love to wear! With an in-depth introduction on different stitch variations, as well as game-changing methods, you're bound to have fun with this book. * Sew Magazine (March 2019) *This is a fun and quirky book filled with 60 projects to fit tiny embroidery hoops, which come in all shapes and sizes. The designs are brilliant. Some are traditional, some are appliqued but all of them are very eye catching and amazing. Unicorns, pets and abstract patterns are included and the visual and written instructions are very simple to follow. Each one is inspiring and you will be able to indulge in a creative and imaginative craft session just by looking through the wonderful ideas. The techniques are all explained and cover a wide range of sewing and embellishment skills. This is a fabulous book, and would make a perfect gift for a stitchy fan -- Tracy Shephard * Postcard Reviews *Embroidery hoops that you can wear as jewellery? This is the latest way of wearing your art in miniature, and the invention of the book’s author. Visit her website www.dandelyne.com for everything you need (if you are in Australia) plus stockists for those in other countries. One look at the glorious array of colourfully stitched mini hoops on the cover and I was sold. Wearable art is my passion and I am always on the lookout for the latest thing. This book tells you what you need to know, starting with lists of what you need (basic needlecraft supplies) to suggestions for fabrics, threads and “fun bits”. The next section shows you how to assemble the hoops when completed, some basic embroidery stitches, how to transfer designs and other essentials. The page of tips and tricks are useful, and throughout the author has written her book in a friendly, chatty style which is accessible and a lot more fun than bald instructions. I particularly like the page showing one simple design (a heart) and nine different ways it could be worked. There are over sixty different patterns in here and they are divided into sections for ease of use. Start with that simple heart, then progress to more embellished designs for feathers, flowers and houses. Stitch a family portrait using simple shapes (easier than it sounds and very effective), use lace, sequins and beads, stitch your own drawing, work a design that flows out of the hoop and couch down thicker threads. Elsewhere are abstracts, traditional florals and even pet portraits. Some of this can be done using the author’s “spray and print” technique which utilises a printer, some spray adhesive and a picture file on the computer. This book is full of fun, modern embroidery ideas and is a lot of fun; even beginners can master it and the designs can be as easy or complex as you wish. A great new innovation. -- Rachel Hyde * myshelf.com *Frame it, Wear it, Look Awesome. Learn to create over 60 tiny masterpieces in a wide range of embroidery styles by the renowned founder of Dandelyne, Sonia Lyne. Using these little hoops as your canvas learn to stitch it all, from classic embroidered flowers and applique animals through to abstract stitch 'n' paint shapes and tasselled creatures. * Be Creative *

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Book SynopsisAn inspirational, practical guide by textile artist Letitia Thompson, the world of Mrs Bertimus! In this exciting new book Letitia shows you how to create colourful, contemporary, animal-themed stitched textiles with a quirky mix of vintage and whimsical style. Letitia's subjects range from playful, dancing mice to crafty foxes, their personalities skillfully captured in stitch using free-motion machine embroidery and hand stitching. The progression from idea to stitch is developed in easy stages, providing a valuable insight into the author's creative process and the methods she uses to achieve her stunning textile artworks. Starting with a comprehensive materials and techniques section, the book includes three step-by-step projects, templates, and numerous finished pieces to spark your creativity, resulting in a unique source of ideas and inspiration for textile artists of all abilities.Trade ReviewIt’s not often that you discover an artist who brings such sensitivity and originality to figurative machine embroidery but Mrs Bertimus (the pseudonym of artist Letitia Thompson) is one of this rare breed. In this book she explains how to create captivating animal stitched portraits using fabric collage, free-motion machine embroidery and a dash of hand stitch, where, ‘the thread becomes the pencil and the fabric becomes the paint.’ She breaks down the process into easy-to-follow steps, including lessons on, and insights into, sketching your subject, techniques and composition, and creating original work that tells a story through your choice of portraiture. There are three projects, but all of the examples in this book are a work of art in their own right that everyone will be able to recreate. * Embroidery - Issue 56 *This is a beautifully thorough book about the authors adorable and visually complex multi-media art work. She has given clear photographic step-by-step instructions to recreate her projects or inspire us to make our stitched textiles. Also included are steps and ways to personalize each piece with paint, distressing, stencils, stamps that give her work international recognition. I highly recommend her book for experts and beginners! Hope you enjoy it. -- Holly Angle * Amazon Customer Review *In this book, Mrs Bertimus takes the reader through her creative process, from materials and sketching to finished objects. There are three lovely projects to enjoy, with helpful templates included in the back of the book – I'm particularly excited about trying the little Sausage Dog art quilt. Before the projects, she goes into detail about the tools and techniques she uses to create her artworks so that the reader can create their own inspired by her work. The book is filled with examples from her sketchbooks and finished pieces, making it beautiful to just flick through and enjoy. I love her art style and am looking forward to applying many of the techniques to my own work -- Leanne Cane * Customer Review *I absolutely love Mrs Bertimus’ artwork and the way she lays down colours and textures. Her embroidery work is just an extension of her stunning paintings. The collages are so beautiful on the animals and there are step-by-step guides to follow along. As an artist who has never done machine embroidery before, I feel the instructions are so clear that I could actually give it a go myself. There are pattern pieces in the back but you could try this with your own artwork too. I can’t wait to see the new collection of goodies she has planned for the coming months. This book would make such a gorgeous gift for someone who loves to sew, draw, paint or craft. Buy two. You’ll want to keep one for yourself. -- Lindsay Elissa Coils * Customer Review *Letitia Thompson, also known as Mrs Bertimus, generously shares all the whimsy and wonder of her mixed media work. Whether you want to imitate her style or use it as a springboard to develop your own, there is plenty to satisfy. She carefully breaks down the stages and processes involved in her complex collaged pieces, offering invaluable insight and thoughtful tips. Words and images combine to guide you seamlessly through composition and construction. Her approach with sticky notes will enlighten, and the step-by-step projects will delight. * Stitch Magazine *If you think that all stitched animals are cute and twee, you haven’t seen the work of Letitia Thompson, aka Mrs Bertimus. Her drawing skills are amazing but no need to worry if you don’t draw, as templates are provided in this book. Mrs Bertimus is just as brilliant with art materials as she is with her sewing machine. In fact, her realisation that, with the darning foot on and the feed dogs down, she could turn her sewing machine into a drawing machine, made this book possible. After a very brief description of materials, the book moves straight into the nitty-gritty of technique, inspiration, design, and stitch. From colour mixing paints to working with a drawing, this section has some great ideas for getting the tonal values right. Having made a template and using those tonal values, we go through the process of building-up cut fabric pieces to translate them into stitch. Then it is machine embroidery and working the background. This is a great source of ideas – I love her backgrounds. The section on composition takes us through the nuts and bolts of this tricky subject: balance, orientation and trouble-shooting are well covered and could relate to any textile application. Mrs Bertimus has some excellent tricks to aid composition – but I won’t give the game away here. Suffice it to say that I will be adopting some of them myself. Backgrounds are an important part of any artwork and the ideas in this book could be used for painting or drawing as well as the appliqué shown. Blocks of colour and stitch combine to integrate the subject matter without intruding on the focal point. Paper collage, stitching into paper, gelli plate printing (which is used for design as well as stitch) are all covered. Ideas for using the results of these techniques are also shown. A chapter on ‘Telling a Story’ is useful and covers many examples of story sources and the use of the tales. All these are told in completed works. The final chapter on Projects includes templates for making some of the animals contained in the book. Full step-by-step instructions for their use can also be found here. My grandson is owned by Monty – a ‘sausage dog’ – and there just happens to be a dachshund template, so I might be turning out ‘the full Monty’ soon. All inspired by Mrs Bertimus. * d4daisy Books *Table of ContentsIntroduction Materials Where to start (Core techniques) Composition Going further (Advanced techniques) Telling a story Sausage Dog Midnight Fox Acrobat Mouse Afterword Templates Index

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Book SynopsisEmbroidery artist Hisako Nishisu invites you to try her new collection of elegant cross stitch designs, inspired by the beauty and simplicity of wildflowers and grasses. There are over 30 stunning motifs to choose from, so whether you admire the lily of the valley or the violet, or prefer to stitch the Japanese silverleaf, there is sure to be a project that will catch your eye. After a gallery of beautifully photographed embroideries, a cross stitch overview is provided outlining the tools, materials and techniques needed for completing these charming samplers. This is followed by a clear, full-page chart for each design. Once your floral sampler is finished, frame it and hang it for a beautiful addition to any room, or use the designs to add pretty motifs to your linens, clothing and accessories.Trade ReviewI absolutely adore cross stitch and this book is a beauty. Over 30 botanical motifs, including Dandlion, Japanese primrose and many more are yours to use to decorate and adorn your home. The first part of the book showcase each design stitched and finished. There are techniques, stitch guide and things you will need to start your cross stitching journey and then there are the cross stitching charts. All the designs are stitched using DMC thread, but you can use your own choice of threads and colours. The designs in this book would make a stunning sampler, but can also be used to descorate hand towels, aprons and napkins. All the designs are both elegant and stunning. Happy cross stitching! -- Tracy Shephard * Postcard Reviews *This book has 32 botanical motifs of wildflowers and grasses in cross stitch. Not all plants are native to the UK but are no less beautiful. Hisako uses DMC embroidery linen, in off white. The embroidery floss is also DMC and worked over two threads. The first pages illustrate all the motifs with the corresponding page numbers of the fully worked piece. Five different stitches are used – cross, back, straight, ¾, and Holbein stitch. All stitches are illustrated in the middle of the book together with project instructions, tools, and materials. The charts follow, which are very clear and are easy to understand, with thread numbers and corresponding symbols. These pieces can be framed in their own right, but Hisako also shows how the embroideries can embellish household linen, clothing, and accessories. Hisako’s motto is ‘enjoyable embroidery, exciting creations.’ -- Sally Wilkinson * The SEW Region Magazine - Book Threads *A wonderful, must-have book! This is a most beautiful book - the projects are lovely and are very achievable. The flowers are gorgeous and very life-like. It made me want to start an embroidered wild flower immediately. Never has an embroidery book inspired me more! -- Judy Mary Healey * Amazon *Table of ContentsProjects Japanese Primrose 10 Japanese Thistle 29 Anemone Nikoensis 20 Japanese Wild Radish 25 Shepherd’s Purse 14 Annual Blue-Eyed Grass 2 1 Houttuynia 28 Violet 12 False Strawberry 24 Horsetail 13 Lily of the Valley 18 Veronica Persica 17 Narrow Leaved Vetch 16 Dandelion 11 Chinese Milk Vetch 22 Strawberry Saxifrage 26 Balloon Flower 40 Great Burnet 45 Pincushion Flower 41 Skunk Vine 42 Tatarian Aster 48 Spotted Bellflower 33 Japanese Snake Gourd 46 Wood Sorrel 30 Japanese Silverleaf 49 Chinese Plantain 34 Trifolium Repens 37 False Bindweed 36 Fringed Pink 38 Lady’s Tresses 32 Day Flower 44 Jumpseed 50 Inspiration Gallery 52 Project Instructions 59

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Book SynopsisThe Royal School of Needlework teaches hand embroidery to the highest standard, developing techniques in new and innovative ways. Written by RSN apprentice and tutor Lizzy Lansberry, this book contains an extensive stitch guide, as well as guidance on the materials and equipment you need; how to design your own whitework embroidery; framing up; and positioning and transferring your design. Each stitch is clearly illustrated with step-by-step photography, along with expert instruction on how to form the stitch and use it in your needlework. With an introduction to the RSN and a brief history of whitework, together with numerous traditional and contemporary examples, this book provides an essential guide to this classic form of embroidery.Trade ReviewThis is a truly lovely book with very clear written instructions and illustrations. As a beginner I think this is just what I need to get me started. -- Sally Dopson * Amazon Customer Review *Learn how to work elegant, timeless white-on-white embroidery with this useful primer from the Royal School of Needlework. Based in Hampton Court Palace, England this school has taught embroidery of all types to the highest standard since its foundation in 1872. This is a new larger format edition of the original which was published back in 2012. The author explains that while the idea of working white stitches on white fabric might not sound very exciting it is actually an inspiring and versatile way to work. Untied from the dominance colour plays in other types of embroidery you are free to use a huge range of stitches and concentrate on the design instead. The book takes you from lists of what you need through a very short history, the types of stitches used and basic notes on design. This is the main focus of this book; learning to design your own pieces rather than working through projects and patterns and I think that it does equip you to do this. I would say that it is aimed at someone like me, an experienced embroiderer who hasn’t tried this particular type of work rather than a total beginner who has never done any embroidery before. There are plenty of large clear photographic steps with captions and these do include some basic stages such as preparing a hoop and slate frame, transferring designs using a light box and setting up the fabric. Whitework is done on evenweave fabric and makes use of cutwork, drawn and pulled thread, eyelets, net darning and other decorative surface stitches. As a newcomer to this type of embroidery I was unsure exactly what it consisted of and I was pleased to see the very helpful order of work. This is vital to know and is an example of why this book is so good at teaching design. The bulk of the book shows you how to work the various stitches and techniques particular to whitework. At the back is a short gallery of the author’s work with notes on how various effects were achieved with close-up details. On putting the book down, I felt equipped with enough knowledge to have a stab at creating my own design. This book is recommended to anybody who would like to try this type of embroidery. -- Rachel A Hyde * myshelf.com *I have always wanted to learn the whitework technique and this book is just the guide I need. Each stitch has a clear photo to help with every step, and expert instruction from an RSN tutor. There is even a brief history of whitework and how to design your own pieces. -- Linda Rumsey * Amazon Customer Review *What an amazing book, from the history of whitework to what you need to get started. All of the stitches are in good clear photos and diagrams, great for beginners. Fantastic book. -- Debbie Prince * Customer Review *When I got this book I thought ... wow this looks complicated, but the author has used really great photos and easy to follow instructions to provide clear step by step guides. There are stitches to learn like, stem stitch, satin stitch, French knots, and techniques like creating eyelets, and cut work, and beyond! I think this would be a great book to take on holiday, you would not need to have much equipment, a little fabric, a hoop, needles and thread etc. From this book I have taken away ideas to use within more experimental mixed media textile art – such as the trailing method that this book teaches, which is very beautiful. I was so pleasantly encouraged once I flipped through it! No matter where you are in your sewing journey, this will be a great for getting started in Whitework or taking your textile projects to the next level. -- Dee Shellard * Customer Review *Table of ContentsThe Royal School of Needlework 6 Introduction 8 The history of whitework 10 Materials & equipment 12 Design 20 The order of work 24 Framing up 26 Transferring a design 30 Getting started 32 STITCHES 34 Pulled thread stitches 34 Core surface stitches 49 Eyelets 64 Drawn thread stitches 66 Cutwork 78 Taking care of your embroidery 81 USING THE STITCHES 82 Butterfly 82 Angelfish 84 MOVING ON 86 Reworking a traditional design 86 Further techniques 90 Japanese Garden 94 Index 96

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Book SynopsisHow to Cross Stitch is the perfect starting point for all those wanting to learn this rewarding and accessible craft. This simple-to-follow project-based book takes you through the basic techniques of how to cross stitch. Each technique is clearly explained and accompanied by a stylish project to make, with clear step-by-step instructions. The straightforward explanations combined with desirable projects means that no matter how little cross- stitch experience you have to start with, you'll soon be impressing friends and family with your new-found practical skills.

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Book SynopsisBoxes are a special way to display embroidery and to present and store treasured pieces. This beautiful book brings the traditional craft of box making right up to date with the latest construction techniques and modern designs. It starts with projects suitable for beginners, and then introduces further techniques so readers can design and construct their own boxes. There are ten step-by step guides on how to construct different styles and shapes of boxes, and how to insert more complex decorative and functional elements. With over 650 colour photographs as well as stunning examples of embroidery techniques and designs, it is sure to delight and inspire every embroiderer and craft enthusiast.

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Book SynopsisFigures can bring an embroidery to life, but they are tricky to do well. This book guides you through the materials, stitches, body parts and clothes to give you the confidence and skills to embroider a figure and experiment, using your creative inspiration. With over 400 colour photographs it gives key information for getting started, creating designs and preparing embroideries; techniques for making three-dimensional forms using stitching and padding techniques; clear instruction for mastering stitches and then ideas for using them creatively. Specific advice is given for embroidering the face, hair, hands and feet as well as ideas for using stitching embellishments, such as beads, sequins, buttons, ribbons, feathers and jewellery charms. Step-by-step projects demonstrate a range of beautiful styles and techniques.Trade ReviewThis book was enjoyable to look at and to read through. I found all the information clearly and well explained. All the pictures and illustrations made sense and were relevant to the work. To have the history to start with helps to remind us we are not the first nor will we be the last to stitch figures. -- Anne Beckingham * SEW Region Magazine *

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Book SynopsisA guide to the increasingly popular trend of transforming data into beautiful textile art. This stylish and fascinating book from up-and-coming textile art star Jordan Cunliffe shows how raw data, maps and personal experience can be distilled into textile art, producing mesmerising works with deep meaning, whether obvious or hidden, and concentrating on the smaller, quieter moments that make up our lives. Jordan explores the use of stitched data to tell stories, pinpoint special places on maps, convey secret messages, and record personal detail, for example daily walks or nightly sleep patterns. Her finished work is beautifully precise, including a long strip of fabric containing a stitch for every day of her life, a reimagination of a favourite childhood book in unreadable code, and pleasing beaded representations of secretly important documents. Almost any aspect of your life can be represented in graph or map form, and here are many practical ways to achieve this, whether it's recording the colours of flowers on a favourite path to create your own unique palette, or encoding your most private thoughts in beaded morse code. This visually stunning book explores a new way of working and will help you explore a fresh new angle in your embroidery and textile work. Illustrated with a wealth of examples of the author's own work as well as pieces from other data-focused artists from around the world, Record, Map and Capture in Textile Art proves beyond all doubt that data can be beautiful, and can inspire stunning works of stitched art.Trade Review‘Data, well actually it can be a thing of great beauty … Let this book inspire you to capture your own narrative.’ Ailish Henderson Blog ‘There is much to inspire and inform all textile artists’ The Quilter ‘If you’ve ever kept a journal, or tracked changes in some way, this book inspires you to share that data in new and embroidered ways!’ Mr X Stitch ‘Meticulously explores how to distil experience into textile art.’ The Travelling Book Binder ‘A new and inspiring approach’ The Journal for Weavers, Spinners & DyersTable of ContentsIntroduction 6 Materials 10 DIY Project 18 Data Visualization 22 The Bayeux Tapestry 27 Linear Time 28 Sleep 32 Sleeping and Waking 34 I Could Sleep for a Week 36 Overlapping Lives 38 Artist's Work: Laurie Frick 40 Artist's Work: The Tempestry Project 44 Artist's Work: Olivia Johnson 48 Artist's Work: Ahree Lee 50 DIY Projects 52 Steganography 60 Steganography in Wartime 64 22.3.2001: A Binary Beaded Diary 66 Coded Alphabet 70 Artist's Work: Sam Meech 74 Artist's Work: Raw Color 76 Artist's Work: Holly Berry 78 DIY Project 80 Algorithms 84 Ada Lovelace 89 Overlapping Number Series 90 Mapping the Sky 94 Artist's Work: Richard McVetis 98 Artist's Work: Evelin Kasikov 100 Artist's Work: Channing Hansen 104 Artist's Work: Michelle Stephens 106 DIY Projects 108 Conclusion 116 Graph Paper 118 Binary Code Translator 123 Morse Code Translator 124 Contributing Artists 125 Index 126 Acknowledgements 128

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Book SynopsisThis book is aimed at both beginners and more experienced needlepainters alike. Novices will be guided through the basic techniques, with each project carefully designed expand your skills and take you onto the next stage of needlepainting. The book will also be helpful to those with some experience but feel the need to practice and further improve their technique. The projects are divided into skill levels, ranging from complete beginner through to intermediate embroiderers. Some of the projects use smaller designs which are ideal for gift items. Step-by-step photographs and easy-to-follow instructions will ensure success at every stage.Trade ReviewJust from the front cover you can see how good this book is for anyone who wants to create embroidered flowers or birds. I have long admired Trish Burr and her books. Subtitled 'Fresh Ideas for Beginners', this book encompasses work that would satisfy embroiderers of any level. There is a detailed introduction to long and short stitch with step by step instructions enhanced with appropriate photos. Trish really does use her needle like a paintbrush. The projects are wonderful and there are ideas on how to use your finished embroidery. This a lovely book for any embroiderer.-KarenPlatt.co.ukTable of ContentsEasy step-by-step diagrams accompanied by numerous diagrams and photographs Trish has provided three levels of projects, so there is something for everyone Beautiful photographs of projects throughout Comprehensive stitch guide included

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