Compiled by the expert team at Country Bumpkin, renowned Australian publishers of embroidery books and magazines.
Embroidery Stitch Dictionaries are handy books to have on your
shelf, if you’re a die-hard embroidery fanatic. Even if you only
dabble in hand embroidery as an occasional hobby, you’ll never be
sorry you have a stitch dictionary or two at hand – they are
wonderful reference tools to have on hand, especially when you want
to expand your stitching horizons a bit. One of my favorite series
of how-to books for embroidery is the A-Z series, which used to be
published by Country Bumpkin, but is now (as of 2014) published by
Search Press. Today, I want to show you one of their stitch
dictionaries – A-Z of Embroidery Stitches 2. It’s a terrific
stitch dictionary for stitchers wishing to increase their stitching
repertoire. As the title suggests, this is the second
A-Z book on embroidery stitches. The first one, A-Z of
Embroidery Stitches, is excellent, too, but I especially like this
second one because it delves into stitch combinations, variations,
and so forth that are not as commonly seen as those stitches found
in the first book. A-Z of Embroidery Stitches 2 features over
145 embroidery stitches, variations, and combinations, each shown
in detail with step-by-step photos of the actual stitch in
progress. The book begins with a long index of the
stitches included within! Before the stitching
instructions begin, in the front of the book you’ll find some
excellent information for the embroiderer. For example, there are
several pages devoted to needles used in embroidery, including what
types are used for what, and a page of actual sized photos of the
various types of needles. How many times have you wondered if
you’re using the “right” needle for your work? Or which needle to
choose before you start? This is a great resource that helps answer
those questions! There’s a good section on using an
embroidery hoop, binding a hoop, and keeping your work clean –
excellent information for beginners and beyond. But
the real “meat” of the book, of course, is in the instructions. The
step-by-step photos of the various stitches are what make the book
perfect for learning. Besides regular surface
embroidery stitches, you’ll find some ribbon embroidery techniques
included throughout the book… … and in this
particular book, you’ll find lots of interesting composite
stitches, filling stitches, and stitch variations. A-Z of
Embroidery Stitches 2 has been on the market for a while – I’m
not reviewing a “new” book here! – but since lately I’ve found
myself returning to it over and over again for stitch ideas, I
thought it would be a good one to review. Combined with the
first A-Z of Embroidery Stitches, these two books make up a
very thorough resource for embroidery stitch instruction. If you’re
looking for a good stitch dictionary that will allow you to add
some variety to your stitches, you can’t go wrong with this
book.
*Mary Corbet's Needle 'n' Thread*
Add variety to every needlework project with this treasury of
techniques, containing more than 145 new stitches. Combined with
the original A-Z of Embroidery Stitches, this book completes a
comprehensive dictionary of embroidery stitches and techniques. It
offers every embroiderer a perfect way to add variety and interest
to every new stitching project. Step-by-step photographs make it
easy to learn and historical insights and beautiful embroideries
add to the inspiration.
*Sewing World*
September 2015 Newly published as a Search Press Classic,
the subtitle '145 NEW stitches to add to your repertoire' sells
this book short. One of its biggest strengths is its detailed
information about subjects not normally covered in such depth. For
example do you know the difference between S twist and Z twist
embroidery threads? Or why it's important to mark the 'flat spot'
on an embroidery hoop? Ever struggled to differentiate between a
milliner's needle and a sharp darner once removed from the pack in
which they were so helpfully labelled? You'll find the
forensic-style photography and text given to these most essential
tools of the embroider's trade invaluable. These pages are
sprinkled with delicious images of vintage sewing ephemera, but
this is no mere nostalgia fest. Fibres new to the market such as
soy and bamboo are covered, with useful guidance on how to select
the best thread for the job- particularly welcome when the choice
is overwhelming but funds limited. Plus, of course, there are those
145 new stitches from across the world and across time. The range
of edging stitches such as beaded Hedebo. Antwerp and Armenian are
ideal for customising a simple cardigan. A worthwhile investment,
for new or more experienced embroiderers.
*Stitch*
June 2015 Adding even more stitches to your embroidery repertoire,
this book contains 145 new stitches. They are easy to learn with
the step-by-step photographs in this book. Aimed at all levels from
beginners to experienced stitchers looking to add new ideas to
their work. Historical insights and examples of work are given.
Clear and easy to use. Very comprehensive and a good addition to a
stitch library.
*Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts*
August A good embroidery stitch handbook is a very useful
tool for quilters and patchworkers and this is an exceptionally
comprehensive and complete pretty edition to any sewer'[s
bookshelf. There is a fantastic level of detail in both the text
and in the wonderful step-by-step photography, which clearly shows
you exactly how each stitch is constructed. There is much interest
here; even experienced embroiderers will learn something new from
this excellent guide. The variety of stitches is incredible and
includes many interesting designs from around the world, far beyond
the usual commonly known stitch library. The 'Getting Started'
section is also worth a read, as this is also more in depth than
usual, featuring for example, illustrations of the effect of thread
twist on different stitch styles.
*Popular Patchwork*
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