Pattern and embroidery

This is a beautifully produced book of particular interest to the advanced student of embroidery, studying this subject on an intellectual level. But it is a stimulating ideas source for anyone. There is a minimum of text and an abundance of excellent, beautiful photographs.

Embroidery, like crochet, patchwork and rug making, has made an enormous comeback. There is, however, a vast difference between the embroidery of today and some of the rather insipid type of work that was found in so many Victorian households. Because machines can do so much in the way of stitchery these days, hand embroidery has to be completely individual in design and full of character in order to compete. Gratifyingly, a return is evident to many of the stitches used in the Seventeenth century and earlier, and these are sometimes combined most effectively with modernistic designs. Moreover, much of the handwork done nowadays is used for interior decoration, rather than for small items such as traycloths, or on clothes. For those who are skilful with the needle and interested in this kind of work, this book is full of ideas to stimulate the imagination, and the basic kind of instruction which a beginner needs. It contains a collection of pictures of different pieces of work, some ancient, some modern. The chapter on patchwork, an old art now very mod, suggests varying ways of joining pieces of material to achieve variety in the appearance of the work. For instance, attractive pictures can be made merely by using different shaped patches- another idea for interior decorating. The section on raised surface, quilting in particular, is unusual. In case you think quilting is only for making quilts, or possibly skirts, try this: When embroidering a figure, pad the face, hands and feet. the resulting picture looks very different from that with a flat surface. The book contains on applique; the effects achieved by using grainy fabrics on a smooth background; drawn thread and cut fabrics work: net darning; needle and felt weaving (working over the warp threads of a fabric to create a new surface texture) and blackwork, one of the most effective types of embroidery.

The book will be useful for students in colleges of education and those studying for examinations, and also for teachers since it explains the effects which can be achieved by the use of different techniques. It points out that techniques are chosen for a particular purpose and are not purely accidental. The reader is helped thereby to look more critically at finished work. The inclusion of comparable techniques in both historic and present-day embroidery is very valuable, making students aware that many so-called 'new ideas' can be found in historic work, thus making museum study more interesting and profitable. The problems of printed fabrics with embroidery are explained with sound advice and some stimulating experimental ideas.

This book explores the amazing variety of ways in which embroidery can be used, not for merely decorative effect but to create genuine works of art. It is a book for the serious seamstress, who has already mastered the elements of embroidery and now wants to go on to something more imaginative that will tax her skill. It is sure to provide a source of stimulating ideas, as well as expert advice on technique. The book is divided into three sections, the first dealing with the nature of fabrics, and the suitability of various kinds when used in applique, patchwork raised surfaces, and hand and machine embroidery. The second is on threads- the many different kinds, and their many different uses. The third deals with the mixed techniques of print embroidery. The illustrations are superbly reproduced, and show the smallest detail with great clarity. They are drawn from both historic and modern sources, ranging from a seventeenth-century night-shirt, through Victorian Samplers to wonderfully imaginative modern abstracts and clever 'free needleweaving' by schoolgirls.

I only indulge in embroidering every now and then, but when I do I have found this book a really useful start to get ideas