RSN Essential Stitch Guides: Silk Shading

Sarah Homfray came to silk shading relatively late in life, after careers led as a mechanical engineer and a croupier. After enrolling on a textile home study course and wanting to learn more, she applied for and was awarded a place on The Royal School of Needlework Apprenticeship programme. She graduated in 2006 and currently teaches there on certificated, diploma and seasonal courses.Sarah went on to gain a Certificate in Education from Greenwich University and a Diploma in Fine Art from the Cyprus College of Art. She has won a number of awards for her embroidery work.

• The Royal School of Needlework 6Introduction 8The history of silk shading 10Materials 12Design and using colour 20Framing up 32STITCHES 38Stab stitch 38Split stitch 39Long and short stitch 40Running stitch 42Stem stitch 43Eyelet stitch 44Adding beads and sequins 44Padding 46French knots 48Bullion knots 49Getting started 54Projects to stitch 62Taking your work further 74Further ideas for your own designs 86Finishing your work 90Troubleshooting 94Index 96

April 2013Another title in the Royal School of Needlework series that gives detailed instructions on how to achieve beautiful stitching! After a brief history of this style there is a section on materials before moving onto design and using colour. Inspiration is next then composition, planning and transferring the design. Experienced sewers may find the section on stitches unnecessary. The second half of the book gives instruction on beginning simple projects, from fruit, marbles and autumn leaves. More advanced pieces incorporate different threads, materials and painted backgrounds. Following more ideas there is a final section on mounting a piece. All pages lie flat due to the ring binding and most pages have a tip or note to extend the reader’s knowledge. This is a really useful addition to any sewer’s bookcase; there are 7 titles in the series, all written by experienced students of the Royal School and well worth close study.