The books listed on this page are recommended reading. If you click on a link you will be taken to the Amazon web site or 'The Bookplace' web site, where you can purchase the book and any other items you find of interest. If you would like to add Amazon to your Links bar click here for help.
Paper, Metal and Stitch by Maggie Grey / Jane Wild With the number and variety of surfaces used for embroidery and textile art expanding, this is a timely book that concentrates on two of the key new materials now incorporated into textiles paper and metal. Paper is of great interest to embroiderers. It can be used as a base for a variety of techniques and to enhance and embellish work. It can be manipulated, cut, torn, stitched, and moulded into any shape or form. You can add colour, texture and metallic effects. Metal has long been associated with stitch in the form of metal thread embroidery, but new sources of metal are available, such as metal shim - very thin, stitch-friendly slices of real metal; glittering metal meshes, wires and coils, beads and foils and recycled domestic metals. Stitch is the ultimate enhancer and possible effects range from delicate tracery to enliven a silver and pastel scheme to the heavy stitch and rich gold of old icons and frames. With several step-by-step photographs of key techniques plus images of finished pieces, the book is divided up as follows: Making and Shaping Paper; Texturing and Colouring Paper; Metallic Effects on Paper; Stitch into Paper (with and without fabric); Varieties of metals
Hardcover 128 pages (16 September 2004) .
Layers of Stitch by Valerie Campbell-Harding / Maggie Grey State-of-the-art machine embroidery from two of the most accomplished writers on the subject. The variety of materials used – from velvet and silk to bonded fleece, wire, mesh and nappy lines – introduces a mixed media element and will encourage you to find new ways of stitching to create three-dimensional forms.
Paperback 128 pages (15 May 2004) .
Bead Embroidery by Valerie Campbell-Harding and Pamela Watts Valerie Campbell-Harding and Pamela Watts show how to choose, select and make a wonderful variety of beads for all forms of hand and machine embroidery. Emphasizing how beads add colour, texture and beauty to a piece of work, they guide the reader through all the basic techniques, looking at the many exciting ways of creating samples and finished embroideries.New in paperback, this book includes a wealth of practical information, such as traditional and contemporary bead application.
Paperback 128 pages (12 May, 2003) .
Order Maggie Grey's Raising the Surface Today! This sourcebook on embroidery in relief ranges from lightly textured pieces to 3-D textile sculptures. Clear diagrams supplement detailed step-by-step text. It includes details on producing backgrounds, often using experimental or unusual materials, frames, masks and high-relief panels.
Hardcover 128 pages (16 October 2003) .
Order Judith Pinnell's Take Silk Today! This book will take the reader into a world of colour, creativity and an exciting new dimension in textile art. The textile worker will learn how to make their own substrate - 'paper' using many decorative techniques. Both traditional and hand embroiderers will find plenty to interest them sufficiently to want to experiment using rich threads and other accessories to create two- and three-dimensional pieces that are completely original. If you love the colour and richness of silk, then this is the book for you.
Paperback - 103 pages (March 2002).
Order Carol Parkes' Making Handbags and Purses Today! Collects patterns and instructions for creating one-of-a-kind bags made from wool, tin, scarves, tee shirts, fabric, and leather which can then be decorated with paint, embroidery, beads, or stencils.
Paperback - 128 pages (October 2000).
Order Valeria Campbell Harding's Beaded Tassels, Braids & Fringes Today! Campbell Harding adds beads in a variety of beading patterns to her tassels, creating delightful lacy baubles that can be used to embellish curtains, lampshades, or clothing.
Paperback - 128 pages (September 2000).
Order Beads and Braids Today! Paperback - 1924 pages (September 1999).
Order Richard Box's Colour and Design for Embroidery Today! Aims to show embroiderers how to create their own original designs and quickly turn ideas into embroidery. The book contains a series of 15 projects covering the essentials - form, content, materials, development and creativity.
Paperback - 124 pages (March 2000).
Order Valerie Campbell-Harding, Jane Lemon & Kit Pyman's Goldwork Today! Aims to show embroiderers how to create their own original designs and quickly turn ideas into embroidery. The book contains a series of 15 projects covering the essentials - form, content, materials, development and creativity.
Paperback - 48 pages (Feb 1995).
Order Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn's Stitch Magic Today! Using a wide range of fabrics, threads and materials now available, Jan and Jean give embroiderers the inspiration to experiment with the basic hand stitches to create infinite stitch interpretations.The book offers a range of new work by the authors as well as stitching from different cultures and a selection of other contemporary work. The first chapter gives practical advice on the choice and planning of stitches followed by different stitch techniques. The following sections include blending and integrating stitches, combining hand and machine stitching and using stitches for a specific purpose.
Hardcover 144 pages.
Order Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn's Complete Guide to Creative Embroidery Today! A Complete Guide to Creative Embroidery illustrates a wealth of ideas from two internationally renowned embroiderers. It is divided into two sections: the first, ‘Design to Embroider’ by Jean Littlejohn develops ideas showing that anyone can design as well as decorate fabric and paper for embroidery. The second, ‘Stitched Images’ by Jan Beaney, illustrates how to colour fabric and combine this with stitchery. She then looks at ways of interpreting designs using appliqué, patchwork, quilting, and hand and machine embroidery. The final section gives guidance on selecting a theme. With the combined talents of two innovative embroiderers, this highly illustrated book is an inspiring source of colour, pattern, design, stitch and texture which will encourage embroiderers to create their own exciting and rewarding pieces.
Paperback 144 pages.
Order Jan Beaney's Vanishing Act Today! Machine Embroidery on Soluble Fabrics
Paperback booklet.
Order Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn's Voluptuous Velvet Today! Embroidery techniques on Velvet.
Paperback booklet (23 July, 1999).
Order Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn's Bonding & Beyond Today!
Paperback booklet.
Order Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn's Transfer to Transform Today! Paperback booklet.
Order Jan Beaney's Gardens and More Today! Paperback booklet.
Order Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn's Conversations with Constance Today! Paperback booklet.
Order Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn's Trees as a Theme Today! Paperback booklet.
Order Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn's Giving Pleasure Today! Paperback booklet.
Order Jan Beaney's New Dimensions Today! Paperback booklet.
Order Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn's Double Vision Today! Paperback booklet.
Order Sheila Paine's Embroidered Textiles Today! Embroidery has been practised for thousands of years throughout the world. In the West, traditions have been subject to trade and fashion, but across the continents of the less-developed world, embroidery continues to be rooted in ancient beliefs and superstitions. This book examines in detail the symbolism of the motifs and designs of these textiles. Photographs are supported by explanatory line drawings and maps which show the colours of the intricate designs. Each motif has its own symbolic or magical significance. Also featured are a comprehensive regional guide to the identification of embroidery throughout the world, advice on collecting and details of international collections.
Paperback - 192 pages (20 March, 1995).
Order Gail Harker's Creative Machine Embroidery Today! This text is an illustrated guide to creating more complex and imaginative machine embroidery projects. It provides a foundation for creative experimentation, and a gallery section provides examples of a variety of styles and approaches.
Paperback - 128 pages (15 May 2004) .
Order Nancy Welch's The Creative Art of Tassels Today! Starting with the basics teaching readers how to make a simple tassel, this book goes on to provide ideas for more decorative and difficult designs.
Paperback - 128 pages (January 2000).
Order Valerie Campbell-Harding's Fabric Painting for Embroidery Today!
This resource book offers a store of information to anyone working in textiles; it surveys tools and equipment and explains the many methods possible for transferring patterns on to farbric. Each method is explained with precise instructions, together with illustrations of the design source and method. The range of methods covered includes thread wrapping, stencils, screen printing, printing with brushes, printing with card, block printing, potato printing, rolling, transferring photocopies, painting on fabric, starch resists, using candles, wax resist, gutta resist, marbling and metallic powders.
Paperback - 144 pages (10 October 2003).
Order Victoria Brown & Tim Imrie's Feltwork Today! From the NEW CRAFTS series, an illustrated collection of 25 felt projects, which includes a techniques section on the basics of skills such as applique, embroidery and felting woollen textiles, with step-by-step instructions on how to create cardigans, wall hangings, rugs and other items.
Hardcover - 96 pages (September 1996).
Order Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches Today! Regarded as a classic, Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches was first published in 1934, and has since continually proved popular with novice and experienced embroiders alike. In this updated full colour edition, over 400 stitches, some 100 of them new, are described in detail. Invaluable easy reference information on basic and complex stitches as well as step by step diagrams for all complicated examples are provided. Visually striking as well as practical, this comprehensive reference book will enable and encourage anyone to master the lovely art of embroidery.
Hardback - 208 pages (1 January, 2000).
Order Gwen Hedley's Surface for Stitches Today! A book for embroiderers who are interested in developing new surfaces for stitch. In eight main sections, materials such as polythene and cellophane, as well as fibrous films and adhesive ebbing, are combined with fabric and thread to produce innovative work.
Hardcover - 144 pages (31 October, 2000).
Order Constance E Richards's Making Books and Journals Today! Collects instructions for making twenty unusual, handmade books, albums, and journals using handmade paper, traditional and innovative binding techniques, and unique embellishments.
Paperback - 80 pages (2 November, 2000)
