The Myth & Magic of Embroidery (Helen Stevens' Masterclass

This is a story type review of embroidery with myth and history of how various plants etc got their names. Highly entertaining. The embroidery plates are worth the cost of the book. Designs are inspiring. Hope you enjoy as much as I am.

2006 is a special year for the author - the 25th anniversary of giving up her 'day job' and devoting her life to embroidery. This book contains an appendix of the author's signature techniques, including 'opus plumarium' (feather work), shadow lining and voiding, but I wouldn't really classify "The Myth and Magic of Embroidery" as a how-to guide. It is a beautiful book of art. Stevens reminds me of my favorite watercolorist, Charles Burchfield in her use of natural themes that are suffused with mysticism. Her silken flowers and butterflies and spiderwebs are to nature as Michelangelo's torsos are to real human beings. The only subjects on which she falls completely flat are her attempts at supernatural creatures such as fairies. They go klunk in otherwise perfect natural vignettes, although the dragons are okay. Nature is not Stevens' only choice of subject. This book also includes entire landscapes, cathedrals, Celtic knotwork, and Celtic heroes. The accompanying text discusses embroidery techniques, mythology, history, and nature. The author has the eye of a silken magpie for bright knickknacks of poetry and literature, and quotes everyone from James Russell Lowell to Rudyard Kipling. I've been embroidering off and on for more than twenty years, although rarely with silk but even this author's simplest pictures are probably beyond my skills. She has a website at helenmstevens.co.uk where you can view more samples of her work, and buy embroidery kits and lessons. For example, there is a beginner's online project called 'Champagne Rose,' which requires ten different colors of silk embroidery thread, plus a small amount of fine gold thread. The lesson itself is free, but the silks cost between 15 - 25.50 pounds sterling. This is for a single champagne-colored rose and a blue butterfly, and the result is gorgeous. I just can't imagine myself working something that fine. "The Myth and Magic of Embroidery" will join my art books on the shelf, rather than mingle with my craft volumes.

I have purchased all of Helen Stevens books except for the new one on flowers. I must say this book and 'The Timeless Art of Embroidery' as very very simiular...so much so, I chose to keep this book and return 'Timeless'.'The Myth & Magic of Embroidery' appeared to be more updated and had several stitches which were not included in her other books. They are all wonderful, it was just my choice.

This is a another future needlework classic by Helen Stephens! Wonderfully illustrated with truly unique needlework images. Richly detailed, instructions and comments, a true joy to read and use. Helen's lessons and ideas are useful for anyone who uses a needle and thread! Wonderful for the beginner as well as the experienced. Detailed explanations of various techniques, use of light and background, are through out the book. Wether you copy Helen's designs or use it as a starting point for your own, this book will inspire you to greatness in your own work!