Embroidered & Embellished: 85 Stitches Using Thread, Floss, Ribbon, Beads & More Step-by-Step Visual Guide

Description

This is the complete visual guide to hand embroidery and embellishing. This richly illustrated reference guide from embroidery expert Christen Brown covers everything you need to make beautiful magic with needle and thread. You can learn to sew traditional and silk embroidery, make raised stitches, and embellish with beads, charms, buttons, and mirrors. Christen shows you how to combine and place stitches to enhance a finished piece and how to work with embroidery threads, ribbons, fabrics, laces, beads, buttons, and other embellishments. Also included are 9 complete embroidery projects to stitch and embellish, and step-by-step instructions that show exactly how to sew 85 different stitches.

Christen Brown has been creating with fiber and fabric since childhood. She studied fashion design in college and has been creating wearable art since 1986. Her ribbon work has been featured worldwide in galleries, fashion shows, and magazines such as Martha Stewart Weddings. Christen lives in San Diego, CA.christenbrown.com

The second book by Brown (Ribbonwork Gardens) is a cornucopia of fancy stitches, which she has divided into four styles of embroidery: traditional; silk ribbon; raised and textured; and bead. Twenty or so stitches per style are carefully demonstrated in full-color photos of each step of stitching. Even experienced stitchers are likely to learn something new. For example, the Spiderweb Rose, or how to couch ribbon. Brown also provides a thorough overview of the ribbons, floss, threads, and tools likely to be needed, along with idiosyncratic advice taken from her many years of sewing. As a catalogue of possibility for stitching, this is a wonderful addition to a crafting library. Publishers Weekly, May 20, 2013 This book surpassed my expectations, which rarely happens. Kudos to C&T and the author for putting together an excellent, comprehensive book on this topic. I have been doing embroidery of all kinds for several years and was delighted to see new (to me) stitches and combinations. The projects are beautiful and inspiring. -- Cindy Gorder, editor, Decorating Digest Craft & Home Projects 8/8/13 Embroidered & Embellished features over eighty stitches using thread, floss, ribbon and more, providing a strong step-by-step guide in full color and including written instructions that leave nothing to wonder. From a range of different flower designs to materials, cutting, and the specifics of locating and transferring designs, choosing stitches, and creating wall hangings and adding beads and embellishments, this is a strong recommendation for any needlework collection, offering techniques and approaches not seen under one cover. Needle workers and reference collections catering to them must have this solid pictorial reference! The Needlecraft Shelf, 9/18/13 Embroidered & Embellished is a wonderful visual guide to 85 stitches that use thread, floss, ribbon, beads and more. Christen Brown divides the instruction into four sections: traditional embroidery, silk ribbon embroidery, raised and textured embroidery, and bead embroidery. For each, she teaches you specific stitches with detailed, up-close photos, and then she includes two different projects that utilize the stitches. If you are new to embroidery, Christen offers a good discussion on the materials to use. I thought her Embroidering With Confidence chapter offered lots of good tips for the novice as well as a refresher for those who have not picked up an embroidery needle for a while. The Professional Quilter Magazine, 11/6/13 A fresh collection of 85 embroidery stitches, including traditional, silk ribbon, raised and textured, and bead embroidery. I found this book to be exceptionally beautiful and inspiring! Also available as an eBook. Decorating Digest Craft & Home Projects, Winter 2013