Celtic, Viking & Anglo-Saxon Embroidery
The Art of Jan Messent
Published by Search Press
ISBN 13: 978184448096
Price: £25.00
Reviewed by Jenny Lewis
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To quote the writer, “the book is a work of sheer self-indulgence” - therein lies its appeal and inspiration. It spills from a heart that is in love with its subject, and it is that very passion that will inflame the creativity in others.
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Jan’s latest book is both timely and refreshing. The embroidery and artwork give a focused glimpse into what textiles might have looked like in the dim and distant past, while also cleverly utilising modern materials to do so. The result is a clever mix of old and new which sit so well together.
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The book is rich with superb illustrations and is also supported by a knowledgeable, and interesting text. |
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Inside the large book, six small books are pictured, each rather like a scrap book. Inside these, Jan has collected samples of Celtic, Viking and Anglo-Saxon embroidery. These include dyes, beads, accessories, stitches, techniques, fabrics, threads, fashion, function and design - each one is a window in time - and all are embroidered in beautiful colours. |
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Embroidery on Paper – Alphabet & Festive Motifs.
Joke & Adriaan De Vette
Published by Search Press
ISBN: 978-1844484-61-4
Price: £6.99
Reviewed by Jackie Langfeld
The enthusiastic card-maker and embroiderer will find this book an interesting addition to their library, both in the approach to the Festive season and for special personalised cards throughout the year.
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By Carol Shinn
Published by Interweave Press
ISBN: 978-1-59668-042-5
Price: £19.99
Reviewed by Jenny Lewis
Machine embroidery is an exciting medium that enables the crafter to ‘paint’ in stitches what the eye perceives in reality. It is a form of communication being a dialogue between hands and mind. The possibilities of machine embroidery are endless, finishing only when the heart runs out of ideas.
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By Isobel Hall
Published by Anova Books, Batsford
ISBN: 978-906388-13-3
Price: £18.99
Reviewed by Kath Danswan
Containing over thirty innovative projects, for anyone who enjoys making books and experimenting with different techniques for embellishing the covers, this book is a ‘must have’.
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The Handbook of Silk Ribbon Embroidery
By Ann Cox
Published by Search Press
ISBN: 978 1 84448 460 7
111 pages
Price: £10.99
Reviewed by Carole Kokinis
The précis on the back cover claims this book is a “useful handbook”, which is an incredibly modest statement. It is a beautiful book, A5-size with sturdy covers and an internal wire binding. The pages are good quality, with dozens of excellent and detailed photographs.
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By Victoria Macleod
Published by Roundtuit Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-904499-28-2
Price: £8
Reviewed by Annette Johnson
This book is about using things that can be purchased in DIY shops for embroidery. There are sections covering the use of bits and pieces such as washers, nuts and tile spacers; “threads” such as cords cables and tubing; paints, both domestic and specialist I had never heard of webbing spray; paper and card; stencils and wallpaper.
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New Designs, New Projects for Embroidery on Paper
By Erica Fortgens
Published by Search Press
ISBN: 9781844484140
Price: £6.99
Reviewed by Jackie Langfeld
For the card-making enthusiast who doubles as a careful embroiderer, Erica Fortgens new book is full of inspiring projects.
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Sew Pretty Homestyle
By Tone Finnanger
Published by David & Charles
ISBN 13: 978-0-7153-2749-4
Price: £12.99
Reviewed by Sue Rankine
Enchanting, delightful and inspirational are all very suitable adjectives to describe this beautifully presented book. It is filled with so many projects and ideas for each room at home and many would make charming gifts. However, the stuffed animals are definitely decorations as they include materials such as wire for the cat’s whiskers.
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Sew Fabulous Fabric
By Alice Butcher and Giny Farquhar
Publisher: David and Charles
ISBN 13: 978-0-7153-2858-1
Price: £12.99
Reviewed by Sara Millis of Sara’s Texture Crafts
Sew Fabulous Fabric: 20 charming ways to sew fabrics into your life is a new title from David and Charles on the theme of sewing as a home craft. Like the other books in this range the eye-candy filled cover will guarantee to turn a head and the simple approach to sewing makes it a fully accessible project book for any crafter, regardless of skill level.
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By Erica Fortgens
Published by Search Press
ISBN: 9781844484140
Price: £6.99
Reviewed by Liz Hunter
This is a book that successfully combines embroidery and card making. Patterns are punched onto the card before being stitched, giving a very crisp and accurate finish. There are designs for a range of cards from Christening Stars to Valentines, some with several variations on a theme. All have extremely clear instructions and a comprehensive list of everything required.
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By Alison Smith
Published by Dorling Kindersley
ISBN: 9781405335553
Format: Hardback
Price: £25.00
Reviewed by Liz Hunter
This is an ambitious book that covers a wide range of sewing skills and is a timely reference book as the interest in dressmaking and sewing for the home are seeing a huge revival. Beginners and experienced dressmakers will find it a useful reference source.
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Flower Fairies in Ribbon Embroidery and Stumpwork
By Di van Niekerk
Published by Search Press
ISBN: 9781844484300
Price: £14.99
Reviewed by Sue Reid
This is a book for lovers of Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairies. Pictures in the book are to guide you whilst you stitch and the techniques described are for the beginner or the advanced embroiderer.
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Embroidered Flora & Fauna
by Nikki Delport Wepener
ISBN-10: 184448341X
ISBN-13: 978-1844483419
Embroidered Flora & Fauna is the work of mother and daughter team, Lesley & Nikki who have put together a collective of ten years work to provide this delightful book packed with a mix of traditional and more contemporary aspects of embroidery.
The first part of the book covers some basic needlework information and preparation before moving on to stitches and techniques – from simple couching to fabric manipulation – many of which use wire to create the wonderful and very tactile three-dimensional petals, leaves, wings etc., used within the projects. Throughout the twelve colour-themed chapters the embroiderer will find two projects, including red Bougainvillea reminiscent of warm summer holidays, Brenton Blue Butterflies native of South Africa and the Indigo hues of forbidden fruit.
Filled with sumptuous photographs, clear diagrams and templates the book I am sure will inspire both the novice and the more experienced embroiderer alike. Texturede mbroidery can be adorned to all manner of objects, from embroidered boxes, bags and bowls, to items of clothing or perhaps forcreating a textural picture of the flora and fauna from your own garden as depicted by the Country Feeling Sampler illustrated within the book.
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Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle
Author: Tone Finnanger
Publisher: David & Charles
ISBN: 13-978-0-7153-2961-0
ISBN: 10-0-7153-2961-8
Price: £12.99
Reviewed by Sara Millis of Sara’s Texture Crafts
I was looking for some newinspiration for my Christmas décor when I came across this book and wasimmediately spellbound by the candy-coloured cover… I just had to get a copy!
I got it home and gentlyopened the cover, trying not to drool in anticipation! I was certainly notdisappointed… Tone Finnanger has such a wonderful eye for modern cottage and‘shabby-chic’styling.
Colourful and creativeprojects take us through each room of the home, so from table settings tohat-stands, there is plenty for us to coo over. I even found myself imaginingcreating some of these projects for more permanent home features. There aremany techniques that translate to more permanent projects.
Oh and did I mention theclothing, toys and complete Christmas packaging projects? This is becoming abook for modern ‘shabby-chic’ living the more pages I turn…adorable!
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From Image to Stitch
By Maggie Grey
Published by Batsford
ISBN: 978-190638-8-027
Price: £18.99
Reviewed by Gemma Lawrence
Textile Artist Maggie Grey introduces this book with a simple guide to very useful, clear techniques, which she then plays with throughout to produce truly inspirational and highly experimental designs. Section one outlines detailed tips for printing on various papers and tissues and how to get the most out of your digital photos and scanned images.
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Encyclopedia of Machine Embroidery
By Val Holmes
Published by Batsford
ISBN 978-1-906388-18-8
£14.99
Review by Kath Danswan
This book covers everything to do with machine embroidery from A-Z including techniques, materials, and equipment. There are brilliant photos and illustrations throughout and the format is easy to read.
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Mark Making
By Tilleke Schwarz
ISBN No: 978-90-70655-54-9
Price: £14.50
72 pages
Review by Bron Ellis
This book was produced to mark a major exhibition of Schwarz’s work at the Knitting and Stitching Show in 2007. After a thought-provoking introduction by Dr Jessica Hemmings the main body of the book is given over to full colour illustrations of Schwarz’s embroideries and a few of her sketches. Each excellent illustration is accompanied by a larger scale detail that illustrates with clarity the style and content of each piece of work.
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Stumpwork Seasons
By Kay and Michael Dennis
Published by Search Press
ISBN: 1-84448-041-0
Price: £8.99
Reviewed by Angie Wyman
Stumpwork Seasons, by Kay and Michael Dennis, is the third book by the authors to be published by Search Press Ltd.
The main project is designed as a single image depicting the four seasons and builds upon the historical tradition of stumpwork. The format of the book allows the embroiderer to follow carefully planned stages developed by the authors to create a specific piece of work designed to depict the seasons; or the design can be adapted to depict each season independently, as separate smaller embroideries.
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All That Glitters
By Alison Cole
Published by Search Press
ISBN: 978-1-84448-313-6
Price: £14.99
Reviewed by Carole Kokinis
All That Glitters is an excellent introduction to goldwork. It is clearly and concisely written, while full colour photographs throughout, with many detailed close ups, make for a good understanding of the text. There are helpful hints and tips for troubleshooting, which are relevant to all embroidery, not just goldwork. The instructions for dressing a frame are the best I have read.
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The Embroidered Patchwork Bear
By Carolyn Pearce
Published by Country Bumpkin Publications, Distributed in the UK by Search Press
ISBN: 0975709429
Price: £10.99
Reviewed by Sue Reid
The Embroidered Patchwork Bear is an Australian single-project book involving crazy patchwork, bear making and embroidery. The embroidery designs are very traditional and a wide range of stitches are demonstrated using single threads. The overall design of patchwork with decorative seams and lacework on patterned materials can appear to be a few embellishments too many.
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Needlepoint Stitches
By Susan Higginson
Published by Search Press
ISBN: 1-84448-096-8
Price: £9.99
Reviewed by Eva Cantin
This book does what it says in the title – and a bit more. Clear written instructions illustrated with simple but detailed colour drawings and photographs show how to recreate 50+ stitches in detail.
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Surface Tension - Embellish and Stitch for the Creative Textile Artist.
By Dale Rollerson
Published by The Thread Studio
ISBN 978-0-645-473-7
Price £12.99
Reviewed by Kath Danswan
The saying ‘you can’t judge a book by its cover’ certainly applies in this case.The rather modest cover hides a book packed full of ideas and techniques for using the Embellishing Machine. Each idea is accompanied by at least one photograph to illustrate it and finished pieces are shown throughout. Just flicking through the pages inspires me to get hold of an embellishing machine and have a go.
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Minority Textile Techniques Costumes from South West China
Edited by Ruth Smith
Published by OCCIDOR Ltd in association with Gina Corrigan
ISBN 978 0 9528804 2 4
Price: £17.00
Reviewed by Liz Hunter
This book, based on Gina Corrigan’s mouth watering collection of Miao textiles and wonderful photographs of costumes being worn in China, is a feast for both brain and eye and is a must for textile collectors and embroiderers alike. Every aspect of this long and rich textile tradition is examined in detail from the preparation of fibres through to the ceremonial occasions when the most elaborate costumes are worn.
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Miao Embroidery From South West China
Edited by Ruth Smith
Published by OCCIDOR Ltd in association with Gina Corrigan
ISBN: 0-9528804-1-5
Price £13.50
Reviewed by Liz Hunter
Edited by Ruth Smith and inspired by Gina Corrigan’s collection of Miao textiles, this book brings together the work of ten researchers. It concentrates on the richly embroidered garments made and worn by the Miao women and records skills that are under threat in a rapidly changing world.
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By Maggie Grey
Published by Batsford
ISBN-13:9780713490282
ISBN-10:0713490284
Price: £14.99
Reviewed by Carole Kokinis
This is the paperback version of Maggie Grey’s book, first published in hardback in 2003 and reprinted twice in 2004.
The first chapter begins with backgrounds, on which to raise the stitch. Angelina fibres, chiffon, foils, brown paper, fabric scraps and transfer papers are used in new and exciting ways. Every page has inspiring full-colour illustrations. This is definitely not a project or how to book. It is however extremely inspirational. The emphasis is on good design and using the information as a springboard for your own ideas.
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Stitched Textile Collage
By Lucille Toumi
Published by A & C Black
128pp - full colour – paperback
ISBN: 978-0-7136-8410-0
Price: £16.99 plus p+p
Reviewed by Nikki Tinkler
Lucille Toumi’s book provides a sumptuous collection of what is described as ‘graphic art’, achieved with the use of stitched and embellished collage. The author’s background in art and design is obvious, and her teaching skills have helped to compile a book that will appeal to readers spanning quite a few ability levels.
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On Form
By Fibrefusion
Published by Fibrefusion
ISBN: 798-0-9550835-3-2
Price: £12.00
Reviewed by Fiona Rainford
This book is aimed at the more experienced embroiderer who is open to new ideas and wants to experiment with ways of interpreting their own ideas and designs. It assumes a prior knowledge of techniques, products and suppliers.
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Chinese Braid Embroidery
By Jacqui Carey
Published by Carey Company
ISBN: 0 9523225 6 0
Price: £15.95
Reviewed by Julie Hedges
Jacqui Carey’s splendid new book, Chinese Braid Embroidery will appeal to many, from embroiderers and braidmakers to those interested in textile costume and history.Jacqui has done extensive research into her subject, on her exploratory visits to SE China and in the study of collections in the UK.
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A-Z of Whitework - Book One Surface Embroidery
By Various Authors
Published by Country Bumpkin Publications
ISBN: 0 9757094 96
Price: £14.99
Reviewed by Kath Danswan
This is a brilliant little book for anyone interested in Whitework or traditional hand stitchery. The cover claims that the books shows ‘Everything you ever wanted to know about Whitework’ and it certainly lives up to that claim. Each chapter details one aspect of Whitework starting with A for Ayrshire Embroidery and finishing with T for Tambour Work.
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Beginner’s Guide to Silk Shading
By Clare Hanham
Published by Search Press
ISBN: 1844481123
Price: £7.99
Reviewed By Elaine Wrightson
If you have ever marvelled at the exquisite shaded embroideries held in our many museums and often thought about having a go yourself, then this is a book for you. Written by Clare Hanham, herself trained at the Royal School of Needlework, the book is written with clear concise instructions for the beginner accompanied with colour photographs throughout. The book includes a brief history on silk shading, materials, techniques and stitches required.
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Monograms: The Art of Embroidered Letters
Susan O’Connor
Published by: Inspirations Books, Australia, 2007
Distributed in the UK by Search Press Limited
ISBN 0-9775476-0-4
RRP: £18.99
Reviewed by Dorothy Lumb
The word ‘art’ in the title sums up this author’s approach to embroidered initials. Forget the lettering features offered by modern sewing machines, these monograms are far more elaborate and finely finished. Here is a beautiful source book giving the history of, and techniques for, elegant, “decorative groups of letters, that are linked, intertwined or interlaced...into a cohesive design”.
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The Art and Embroidery of Jane Hall The Reflections of Nature
By Jane Hall
Published by Search Press
ISBN 1 84448 038 0
Price £19.99 hbk
Reviewed by Jenny Lewis
Jane’s first book is a beautifully balanced combination of text and textile pieces. Her imagination is that of a child entranced by fairies and fantasy; her embroidery is that of an adult - intimate, meticulous, reflective - touched by nature’s loveliness.
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By Val Holmes
Published by Batsford
ISBN 0 7134 8986 3
Price £18-99 hbk
Reviewed by Jenny Lewis
Never throw anything away – it may come in useful. Collect and recycle is the motto - sweet wrappings, bus tickets, tree bark, worn fabrics, vermicelli, fish scales, cat hairs, beach combings and plastic carrier bags.
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By Francoise Tellier-Loumange
Published by Thames & Hudson
ISBN 0 500 28639 5
Price £24-95
Reviewed by Jenny Lewis
The Art of Embroidery is a visually stunning book that emphasizes the miraculous way that nature’s fruits provide the crafter with image upon image of inspiration. Getting ’close-in’ is the best way to appreciate and interpret the textures, colours, shapes and designs of the world around us. These offer new perspectives to intrigue and delight - and the photography of the author does just that.
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Three-dimensional Embroidery
By Janet Edmonds
Published by Batsford
ISBN 0 713 48965 0
Price £18-99
Reviewed by Jenny Lewis
The author explores the various methods of creating three-dimensional free-form textiles, either as ornamental or functional items, and in a variety of innovative ways that either tease, repel or invite the viewer to respond.
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Annemieke is a textile artist extraordinaire. Her love for nature pervades both her text and images, drawing the reader into that secret world that belongs to the creature alone.
Her book is suffused with a gentle, beautiful, intensity; the pages are alive with butterflies, mayflies, moths, dragonflies, birds, grasses and flowers - all stitched with a loving eye.
Although simple materials such as silks, wool, denim, taffeta, Dacron, rabbit fur and other textiles are employed, her textile creations are beyond compare, capturing the capricious joy and intimacy of nature’s loveliness.
Pictured are wall hangings, standing art and wearable art, such as the lovely ‘Lepidoptera’ moth in green silk, which unclips to form a necklace and headpiece.
Her book leaves one almost speechless with delight — this is world class art.
Reviewed by Jenny Lewis
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