With the 100+ motif and border patterns in this book, it's easy to combine them to make your own personal cross-stitch designs. The 21 unique cross-stitch alphabets, made to coordinate with the motifs in a variety of styles-floral, lacy, Christmas and more-allow you to add words to complement your ideas. From flowers to cottages and houses, birds and animals to holiday and sampler-style motifs, there is so much to choose from! Borders add a professional touch to your designs, and a variety of letter styles help you personalize with names or meaningful words. Each motif is presented in chart form with a color key for ease of reference and a finished, worked example to show how the patterns should look when complete. If you are new to cross stitch or new to designing, an introduction to the craft covers all of the tools and equipment needed and demonstrates basic cross-stitch techniques from start to finish, plus gives instructions on how to graph and use your designs. Based on a simple grid and one basic stitch, cross stitch is easy to learn and master, so get started mixing and matching these beautiful designs into your one-of-a-kind creations!

For Italian immigrants and their descendants, needlework represents a marker of identity, a cultural touchstone as powerful as pasta and Neapolitan music. Out of the artifacts of their memory and imagination, Italian immigrants and their descendants used embroidering, sewing, knitting, and crocheting to help define who they were and who they have become. This book is an interdisciplinary collection of creative work by authors of Italian origin and academic essays. The creative works from thirty-seven contributors include memoir, poetry, and visual arts while the collection as a whole explores a multitude of experiences about and approaches to needlework and immigration from a transnational perspective, spanning the late nineteenth century to the late twentieth century.

At the center of the book, over thirty illustrations represent Italian immigrant women's needlework. The text reveals the many processes by which a simple object, or even the memory of that object, becomes something else through literary, visual, performance, ethnographic, or critical reimagining. While primarily concerned with interpretations of needlework rather than the needlework itself, the editors and contributors to "Embroidered Stories" remain mindful of its history and its associated cultural values, which Italian immigrants brought with them to the United States, Canada, Australia, and Argentina and passed on to their descendants.

Create unique projects with all types of embellishments - like lace, linens and hankies, trims and ribbons, buttons, and treasured pieces - with ideas, techniques, and a 100+ stitch library to inspire.

Textile artists find inspiration all around them - from fleeting memories to treasured items, sketches, poems and photographs. But how do you collect and record these precious thoughts and ideas? Tilly Rose shows you how, by creating stunning fabric and paper journals filled with inspiration to spark your creativity. A lovingly created journal tells a story. It provides a fascinating glimpse into your world and is a beautiful object in its own right to be cherished by generations to come. There are eight beautiful designs to choose from, incorporating a range of exciting techniques that include layering and collage, hand embroidery, transferring your own designs to cloth, stamping, applique, embellishing, patchwork and free motion machine embroidery. All of the techniques are explained with clear instructions and step-by-step photographs, so even those who are just setting out on their creative journey will find inspiration and all the know-how they need to make their own gorgeous daydream journals.

The Royal School of Needlework teaches hand embroidery to the highest standard, developing techniques in new and innovative ways. This series of Essential Stitch Guides provides expert tuition on a variety of techniques. In this guide to blackwork, Graduate Apprentice and tutor, Becky Hogg, shows how to develop many different patterns from the basic blackwork stitches, using detailed instructions and beautiful examples of traditional and contemporary embroideries. There is a fascinating look at the history of blackwork, a guide to the materials needed, and then a detailed look at the stitches used. These are then developed into a huge variety of beautiful patterns, and finally there is a guide to varying the look of these patterns through the use of different shading techniques. There are inspiring embroideries throughout the book, both historical pieces and contemporary works by the author and other RSN apprentices.

Brimming with over 300 botanical motifs, this wonderful resource will provide inspiration and instructions for embroidery artists and flower ladies everywhere. This collection features designs including flowers, ferns, succulents, leaves, bees and garden scenes. The books includes basic embroidery instruction for stitches and transferring designs onto fabric. Original designs and clear instructions make this book a must have for any embroidery enthusiast's library.

This inspiring, practical guide to goldwork and silk shading is packed with both traditional and innovative techniques, six samplers and 24 stunning projects. Learn how to create exquisite works using either goldwork or silk shading, and then learn how to combine the two disciplines for visually stunning results. Learn to select the threads, materials and equipment required; plan out the order of your work; transfer your design to fabric; frame up your fabric; and discover inspiring stitch techniques to achieve the results you want. Using nature as inspiration, develop a glittering range of exquisitely worked flowers, fungi, trees, bats and dragonflies, with each piece accompanied by detailed instructions and essential top tips. The book features original designs throughout, and you will be encouraged to extend your skills to create your own beautiful embroideries, helped by exercises, projects, diagrams, full-size templates and stunning photographs. This book is an invaluable practical starting point for anyone wishing to learn about the art of goldwork and silk shading, and an excellent reference for all those already familiar with these popular techniques.

Each title in the Easy Cross Stitch series provides a beautiful collection of designs to inspire and challenge beginning stitchers. These thematic resource books offer an easy-to-follow, full-color chart and a color key on every page. Full of vibrant floral cross-stitch designs, this crafting companion uses a variety of colors and endless shapes to capture the wonder of the natural world. Organized by color and by flower type, including popular varieties such as roses and lavender, this portable craft book is an ideal guide for anyone who wants to create decorative table cloths, cushions, or other household linens. Smaller designs that serve well on a greeting card or combine to make up a lovely sampler are also included.

A new, larger format edition of the classic reference work on silk shading by the Royal School of Needlework (RSN). The Essential Stitch Guides provide a set of definitive works on traditional embroidery techniques. Graduate Apprentice Sarah Homfray throws light onto the beautiful craft of silk shading, also known as painting with a needle, long and short stitch embroidery or thread painting. This book reveals the history of the craft then moves on to the materials and equipment required. Next, Sarah covers design and using colour, simplifying and demystifying this often neglected area of embroidery. The main part of the book then covers all of the essential stitches and techniques through clear, step-by-step diagrams, coupled with beautiful, close-up photographs showing how they can be used in a finished piece. Key traditional techniques are included: the fundamental stab, split and long and short stitches; along with couching, padding, adding beads and sequins, and knots. The book ends with beautiful and exquisitely-worked examples and covers working with different fabrics, threads and incorporating painted backgrounds. The RSN teaches hand embroidery to the highest standard and is respected all over the world. It not only upholds the traditions of English embroidery that go back many hundreds of years, but is constantly taking embroidery forward in new and innovative ways. This series of Essential Stitch Guides has been produced in close collaboration with the RSN with the aim of providing a set of definitive works on traditional embroidery techniques.

Let the magic of Christmas inspire your stitching with these 20 cross-stitch patterns, blending the traditional style of France with a charming contemporary simplicity. Many of the designs include multiple scenes and motifs, offering you hundreds of components to use in a myriad of ways. The elements of a cross-stitched Christmas are all here: wintry scenes, Father Christmas, toys, sparkling decorations, and children enjoying the anticipation! Along with the patterns, enjoy instructions for projects to show off your stitchwork, including a Christmas stocking, a gorgeous Advent calendar, gift cards, and a holiday ABC sampler. Scattered throughout are spirit-inspiring activities and holiday lore: what it's like to visit the real Santa Claus Village in Finland, how the department store window display tradition began, and other reminders of the magic of Christmas.

The Royal School of Needlework teaches hand embroidery to the highest standard, developing techniques in new and innovative ways. Written by RSN apprentice and tutor Lizzy Lansberry, this book contains an extensive stitch guide, as well as guidance on the materials and equipment you need; how to design your own whitework embroidery; framing up; and positioning and transferring your design. Each stitch is clearly illustrated with step-by-step photography, along with expert instruction on how to form the stitch and use it in your needlework. With an introduction to the RSN and a brief history of whitework, together with numerous traditional and contemporary examples, this book provides an essential guide to this classic form of embroidery.

The Royal School of Needlework teaches hand embroidery to the highest standard, developing techniques in new and innovative ways. Written by RSN apprentice, and now tutor, Jacqui McDonald, this book contains an extensive stitch guide, as well as guidance on the materials and equipment you need; how to design your own crewelwork embroidery; framing up; and positioning and transferring your design. Each stitch is clearly illustrated with step-by-step photography, along with expert instruction on how to form the stitch and use it in your needlework. With an introduction to the RSN and a brief history of crewelwork, together with numerous traditional and contemporary examples, this book provides an essential guide, for the dedicated stitcher, to this classic form of embroidery.

A new, larger format edition of the classic reference work on goldwork embroidery by the Royal School of Needlework (RSN). The Essential Stitch Guides provide a set of definitive works on traditional embroidery techniques. Written by Helen McCook, Graduate Apprentice, Tutor and renowned embroiderer, this book begins with an historical account of goldwork, then moves on to the materials and equipment required; framing up, how to transfer a design on to fabric and how to start and finish a thread. The main section of the book then covers all of the essential stitches and techniques through clear, step-by-step diagrams and photographs, coupled with beautiful, close-up photographs showing how then can be used in a finished piece. All the key traditional techniques are included: couching, bricking, basketweave, cutwork, spangles, s-ing, pearl purl, plate and kid. The book ends with beautiful and exquisitely-worked examples of how the techniques can be combined in finished pieces. The RSN teaches hand embroidery to the highest standard and is well respected all over the world. It not only upholds the traditions of English embroidery that go back many hundreds of years, but is constantly taking embroidery forward in new and innovative ways.

A guide to figurative stitching in textile art, with techniques and tips. Figurative stitch is soaring in popularity. In this guide, textile artist Rosie James shares ideas and techniques on using the sewing machine's needle and thread almost as a pencil. The book covers: How to set up your machine; How to tackle drawing (with exercises that will help even those who are afraid to put pen to paper); Transferring drawing to cloth, working with transparency, different surfaces and adding fabrics and colour; Photography, with details on using photographs in textiles; Putting it all together with layering images, playing with scale, repetition and composition. Tips and advise throughout will show textile artists how to expand their repertoire and how to use figurative stitch to really showcase their creativity. Illustrated throughout with stitch drawings by Rosie James and other leading artists, this is a welcome paperback edition that will inspire both professionals and those new to stitching.

A new, larger format edition of the Royal School of Needlework's classic reference work on beadwork embroidery. Shelley Cox presents an expert guide to all aspects of bead embroidery, including information on counted thread beadwork, bead embroidery, beaded surface embroidery, and fringing. Here you will find stitches and technique for every sort of needlework that involves beads. Decorative effects are explored too, making this a fantastic source book and an invaluable reference for beadwork. The Royal School of Needlework (RSN) teaches hand embroidery to the highest standard and is well respected all over the world. It not only upholds the traditions of English embroidery that go back many hundreds of years, but is constantly taking embroidery forwards in new and innovative ways. This series of Essential Stitch Guides has been produced in close collaboration with the RSN with the aim of providing a set of definitive works on traditional embroidery techniques. All of the authors were chosen by the RSN and all are graduate apprentices of the Royal School.

Goldwork must be the most dramatic of the embroidered arts. The smallest addition of metal thread to a piece of embroidery can lend immediate visual impact, and yet the technique can also be beautifully subtle. A design stitched in goldwork will be rich in texture, shine and sparkle, and metal threads can be combined beautifully with other techniques. Aimed at guiding you through each stitch and technique, and with tips for moving on to your own designs, this book is full of practical instruction. With its high level of detail and over 600 photographs, it will be a treasured companion, whether you are a novice or an experienced embroiderer.

This fantastic resource book contains over 70 iron-on designs from world-renowned embroiderer Trish Burr's best-selling embroidery books, plus 6 new bonus designs. Project instructions for each design are available in Trish's inspirational books Needle Painting Embroidery, Colour Confidence in Embroidery, Miniature Needle Painting Embroidery and Whitework with Colour. Choose from a wonderful range of inspiring designs, including flowers, birds, figures, animals and small vignettes. The book contains a short section at the start which gives colour inspiration for every design plus advice on using the transfers; the rest of the book consists of iron-on transfer paper. Using the iron-on transfers is very simple, and each design can be used, stored then reused multiple times. This book gives embroiderers a bumper selection of designs to choose from - it will provide embroiderers of all abilities with the confidence they need to get started creating their own masterpieces.

Finally, there's a headwear solution for fashionable felines - and a practical use for accumulated shed hair. Cats in Hats contains step-by-step instructions for constructing stylish hats out of excess fur, so your cat will soon be the belle of the furball as they transform into a magical unicorn, ferocious lion or even a birthday cake! Welcome to Cats In Hats and admire the overwhelming cuteness of popular Instagrammers Rojiman and Umatan's cats in their tiny cat-hair hats. Is your cat a diva? Maybe it's time to make her a crown! Or perhaps he's a bit of a prankster - put on a joker hat! There's one for every occasion, from birthdays to graduation. Don't miss the Animal hats, from Elephant to Koala. Celebrate every annual festival with a Halloween Witch hat, Easter Bunny hat, and more. And amaze your cat with a character hat. From Princess Leia to Sherlock Holmes, whatever your cat's personality, we have a hat for them. With 300 hand-drawn step-by-step instructions for constructing 25 adorable hats, and colour photos of the authors' own cats in their handmade headgear, Cats in Hats is a fun gift for any cat-lover or crafter. And with great tips from Rojiman and Umatan, you'll be designing your own custom cat-hair creations in no time.

Embellish your world with the whimsical, creative art of Boho Embroidery. These bright, clean designs, in an Anthropologie-esque style, are ideal for beginners to advanced stitchers. This book begins with a tutorial for learning 10 different embroidery stitches, detailed instruction on colour work, and 10 fun projects like buttons and hair clips, then goes on to advanced pattern work for vintage clothing and linens, and finally, learning how to make your own hoop and accessories.

In this gorgeous book, Jane E. Hall combines her love of butterflies with her outstanding talent as a textile artist to produce three-dimensional renditions of exquisitely worked butterflies that are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. Using the finest of silk threads and needles, Jane lovingly creates her butterflies using the tiniest of stitches worked on to silk. The butterflies are then placed within a setting of silk leaves and flowers, all made with the same painstaking attention to detail and expert skill as the butterflies themselves. There is a fascinating introduction to butterflies in nature, reflecting Jane's love and admiration for these exquisite creatures. This is followed by twelve studies, including the Painted Lady, Small Tortoiseshell and the Brimstone, each presented as a finished piece along with the materials used to create them, and the photographs, swatches, drawings and paintings that inspired them. One of the most striking features of this book is the amazing photography of Jane's work, including detailed close-ups. This, together with Jane's poetic and inspiring text, make this a book that anyone who is a nature lover, embroiderer, textile artist or simply a lover of beautiful books will want to own.

Jayne Schofield, cross stitch designer, has produced this beautiful book containing a range of delightful cross stitch patterns, lovingly crafted, to celebrate house, home, love and family. The themes found within this book include baby samplers, garden, house, home sweet home, craft, sewing and wedding. Some of the designs can be easily personalised by adding names and dates using the alphabet charts provided. Jayne's love of colour and design has been lovingly captured within these cross stitch patterns and the simplistic nature of her work makes this an ideal book for both the beginner and the more experienced stitcher. Inspired by Jayne's love of family and home, the cross stitch projects within this book are designed to adorn the house once stitched or to help celebrate those special moments in life.

The Royal School of Needlework teaches hand embroidery to the highest standard, developing techniques in new and innovative ways. Written by RSN apprentice and tutor Rachel Doyle, this book contains an extensive guide to canvaswork techniques, and includes complete information on the major stitches while offering stunning new design ideas. Here you will find diagonal stitches, horizontal and vertical stitches, raised, textured and filling stitches. Decorative effects are explored too, making this a fantastic source book and an invaluable reference for canvaswork stitches.