Want to start embroidery but it all seems an impenetrable jungle, or think you know most things about this vast topic and cannot learn anything new? This is the book for you. I think that just about everybody who wants to embroider or who already does and wants to know some more can find something of use in this useful book. This is a title in what I think of as Search Press' 200 SeriesA" where that number of questions, stitches or whatever is explained. Beginners ought to start at the beginning with this book, where you can learn what you need to buy and know and get started with a remarkable lack of fuss. Questions such as what needles to buy, whether to tie a knot, how freestyle differs from cross stitch, buying thread, using a hoop etc are all explained in a bite-sized way that is easy to understand. The rest of the book is grouped in types of embroidery, starting off wisely with simple stitches, progressing to more complex ones and then branching off into other topics such as wheels and webs, filling stitches, couching, attaching beads and sequins and applique. I've long looked for a book that set out the very few basic stitches you need to learn to begin freestyle embroidery and have at last found it; too many books bewilder novice stitchers with every stitch under the sun including too many they may never need. If you know anybody who wants to take up this endless and fascinating hobby then this is the ideal book to start with. Very highly recommended.-Myshelf.com A clear, concise, handy book with answers to many embroidery technique problems from basic stitches to finishing touches. With useful images to help you correct mistakes easily.-Cake Craft & Decoration A compact, yet comprehensive volume, covering all aspects of the subject, from how-to-start, tools and materials, through stitches and techniques to finishing and presentation. Usefully indexed within each colour-coded chapter, this is an essential book for every embroiderer, but would be especially beneficial for a student or novice.-East Kent Embroiderers' Guild If you've got an embroidery problem you can't solve, you want to find out how to achieve a wide range of decorative effects or you need some information about a particular technique, you're bound to find the answer within these pages. Do you need to know what type of needle you should be using? Have you ever wondered how to attach sequins and beads? The answers are here. You can also discover how to cut and gold edges, stretch fabric into an embroidery frame, do reverse applique and prepare the fabric for drawn thread techniques. The largest section of the book is devoted to the various ways of working embroidery stitches and there are lots of clear photographs to illustrate every topic.-Stitch This is a compendium of expert advice on everything from basic stitches to finishing touches set out in a question and answer format. The questions are designed for beginners and experienced embroiderers and they cover such topics as tools and equipment, decorative stitches, applique, design, knotting, bead weaving and useful stitches. The helpful advice is from a leading expert on all aspects of embroidery, so really you just can't go wrong.-Fabrications I very much enjoyed reading and studying this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who is contemplating doing embroidery, and for GBP9.99 I think it is a good buy. The book contains good diagrams and clear instructions which are easy to follow and I think a novice would have few problems in following them. However, I guess that maybe each one of us with much experience would also enjoy the book. The illustrations are good and show beautifully how lovely effects can be obtained by careful choice of both fabric and threads. In all, a most interesting and educational book which I would thoroughly recommend to any novice as it would be the only book required in the early days of stitching. (Wendy Daniel)-West Country Embroiderers
