Threadwork: Silks, Stitches, Beads and Cords

Description

This is a book about creating sumptuous embellished surfaces made by: collaging rich colourful silks, transparent organza and ribbons; stitching with embroidery threads and ribbons, knitting and other yarns; and adding further texture with raised embroidery, cords, metallic threads and beads. The method or process is to create an original soft textile by assembling layers of fabric as a background that is embellished with stitches, quilting, beads and cords. Within the 128 pages there are 28 amazing projects, all with full instructions for an exact reproduction, or ideas for using what is available, or combining techniques throughout the book to create a truly unique piece. Beautiful photography of finished pieces. A feast for the eyes and your creative spirit.

Effie Mitrofanis is a researcher and tutor of creative and traditional hand embroidery. She exhibits and lectures regularly in Australia and internationally. She is the author of five books, Creative Canvas Embroidery, Tassels & Trimmings, Decorative Tassels and Cords and Casalguidi Style Linen Embroidery, and Needleweaving and Embroidery, published by Sally Milner Publishing in 2005. She is also a successful designer of embroidery kits. Effie has studied embroidery and needle lace in the U.K., Italy, Greece, China and India. She has an Associate Diploma of Fine Art, and Master of Visual & Performing Arts, focussing on the origin and evolution of needle lace. She has published numerous articles in the World of Embroidery, U.K. and magazines in Australia. She has a passionate interest in the art, pattern and texture of embroidery, its history, its makers and techniques.

This book contains a collection of very bright, colourful pieces of work, where embroidery and stitching is the star! In her introduction, Effie talks about her love of silk, three-dimensional texture, 'strange' colourways and wrapped cords, all of which feature heavily here. Her method of work is to collage and layer silks, organzas and ribbons as a base fabric, then use embroidery stitches and other textures to create eye-catching pieces. The book is divided into sections which work through these processes. Each project focuses on a particular colourway, and you get a good variety of tone and texture through this. Nothing is repetitive here. There are diagrams and photographs throughout, and the former give very precise patterns to follow for stitching and layout, which is very helpful. By Section 4 you are getting into the serious use of stitching for embellishment and it is mostly hand stitches which give a very bold look to Effie's pieces. They are rich, vibrant, and very in-your-face. The section on cords is very informative, and gives good instructions on how to make wrapped cords and embellish pieces in wavy, overlapping lines, which look very effective. This book is not for the faint-hearted; its colour choices, bold and vibrant, are everywhere in the book, as are the heavy stitches, beading and cording. But if you are a fan of bold and beautiful, you will have no end of inspiration here. The sheer number of projects makes it excellent value for its price, and if you are wanting to add some 'zing' into your work and didn't know where to start, you need look no further.-Workshop On The Web You can't fail to be inspired by this wonderfully colourful book. The 28 projects are all clearly explained and illustrated with an abundance of sketches and colour photographs. The projects are organised into four sections: backgrounds; stitches for texture and effect; cords for embellishing and trimming; and stitch and bead patterns - and each section is more luscious than the last. The wrapped and embellished cords, sometimes enriched with knots and beads, are absolutely gorgeous; they can be used singly, twisted or plaited together, couched onto fabric to create pattern or texture, become an integral part of an embellished surface, or provide the perfect finishing touch to a project. Using richly coloured silk fabrics and brightly coloured threads (Effie gives a list of 'zinger' DMC colours she likes to use), every embroidery in the book is a mouth-watering confection. In fact, I think the whole book is a 'zinger'!-Stitch