Shay Pendray's Inventive Needlework

this is the first I have heard that Shay is a published author. the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars, is that I haven't seen the inside of the book. I haven't read this book, but I will buy it, even if there were no reviews. Shay has had a show on needlework arts in the tampa bay, fla Area for years. Just to watch a few minutes of her show convinces you beyond a reasonable level, that this lady KNOWS HER STUFF. I would buy this book, especially, because she does ALOT of goldwork on her show-a technique that I didnt know was taught in modern times. I think she studied at the Royal School of needart in England, so......It is an ancient, ancient kind of detailed needlework. Keep up the good work, shay!!!

For people who have watched her Needlearts show on PBS, Shay and her wonderful way with all forms of needlework needs no introduction. For those who haven't let's just say that Shay is one of the nicest and most innovative needleworkers around. This beautiful book distills much of Shay's wisdom covering Goldwork, painted canvas and shading. Each section is lavishly illustrated with detailed explanations of techniques. I'm not very familiar with Goldwork, stil I found Shay's explanations clear enough so that I would feel confident tackling a beginner's project. There is a charming one, a dove, in the book. The section on painted canvas has a good overview of threads and techniques. It includes detailed instructions on techniques which often aren't covered, stripped threads, using a laying tool, and properly starting and ending threads. A wonderful part of this section talks about choosing the right canvas. Further information covers how to change colors on a painted canvas as well as several techniques for optically mixing colors. Following this chapter about painted canvas is a chapter which goes into depth discussing how three different painted canvas Christmas stockings were stitched. Several pages are devoted to each canvas with a picture of the entire canvas as well as close-up pictures of the details. Even if these three Tapestry Tent designs aren't your cup of tea, you will find many ideas for using on your own canvases. The section on shading covers two different techniques to create realistic shading. While the techniques were developed for surface embroidery, a part of this section shows how they can be applied to canvas. In fact, the shaded canvas piece is photographed on the cover of the book. The book ends with a gallery of designs. Each of the pieces in the gallery shows Shay's consummate skill as a designer and stitcher. They provide much food for inspiration. While this book is not a book for beginners. Every stitcher will learn useful information and find plenty of inspiration in this wonderful book.

This is "the" book for the serious needleworker. It has the most comprehensive technique instructions of any book, ever, for gold work, painted canvas, and shading; it isn't a cutesy book of simple projects. The illustrations are excellent. The color photos are to die for: closeups of step-by-step work in progress and examples of finished work will enable you to strive for excellence in your own work. This is a teaching book with important information about threads, fabrics, frames, tools, framing up, tips ... the list goes on and on. I can't recommend this book any higher.

For the serious needleworker, Shay Pendray's Inventive Needlework is a must-have book. Included are discussions on materials and on techniques, clearly drawn diagrams, and excellent color photographs. Examples of various techniques are drawn from both the author's own teaching pieces and from other pieces which have been exhibited at ANG National Seminars. I was particularly excited by the close-up photographs, which show stitching details clearly. (Many of the goldwork photographs were stitched on a black ground) Note that this book is about techniques, and is not a catalog of diagrams for specific stitches - there are many other reference books which fill that purpose. For needleworkers who are interested in advancing their skills, or who have wished for opportunities to examine advanced-level stitching in detail, the excellent photographs and elaborating text of this book offer a great deal of inspiration.