Embroidered Flora and Fauna: Three-dimensional Textured Embroidery [Paperback]

Meg-online:This excellent book has a subtitle - 'Three dimensional textured embroidery', and it is packed with beautiful samples of stitching and multimedia techniques illustrating plants and animals in relief. Among the different methods shown are applique, ribbonwork, beading, shaping over wire and ideas inspired by stumpwork. There is a comprehensive introduction and explanation of how to make raised forms and these incorporate stitching, along with new methods such as photo transfer onto fabric. A section at the end of the book is devoted to projects ranging from flowers to chickens to butterflies. These ideas could be copied as they are, or used as a basis for your own ideas. Great fun and well explained.Stitch:From simple stitchery to mixed media embroidery, this delightful book is crammed with ideas and projects that will get you stitching. The techniques section includes instructions for working with textured threads, ribbon work and creating 'elevated' shapes using wired and unwired methods. Divided into colour-themed chapters, each offering two projects within the spectrum, there are in-depth descriptions for certain projects and techniques, while other images allow you to interpret them in your own way. There are lots of traditional techniques, but they are often combined in fresh and inspiring ways.The Textile Directory:Embroidered Flora & Fauna is the work of mother and daughter team, Lesley & Nikki who have put together a collective of ten years work to provide this delightful book packed with a mix of traditional and more contemporary aspects of embroidery. The first part of the book covers some basic needlework information and preparation before moving on to stitches and techniques - from simple couching to fabric manipulation - many of which use wire to create the wonderful and very tactile three-dimensional petals, leaves, wings etc., used within the projects. Throughout the twelve colour-themed chapters the embroiderer will find two projects, including red Bougainvillea reminiscent of warm summer holidays, Brenton Blue Butterflies native of South Africa and the Indigo hues of forbidden fruit.Filled with sumptuous photographs, clear diagrams and templates the book I am sure will inspire both the novice and the more experienced embroiderer alike. Texturede mbroidery can be adorned to all manner of objects, from embroidered boxes, bags and bowls, to items of clothing or perhaps forcreating a textural picture of the flora and fauna from your own garden as depicted by the Country Feeling Sampler illustrated within the book. Myshelf.com: Here is a book with real "wow" factor, undoubtedly my favorite craft title of 2008 unless something pretty amazing comes along between now and the end of the year. If you think that embroidery is a bit prissy and traditional for you, yet you yearn to get really creative with fibers and a needle then you need this book, you really do. Not just the usual threads either, but anything you can couch down or stitch with from fluffy wools to metallic threads, boucle yarns to fine silks. This is surely embroidery with the lid off. Grab some cloth - anything will do, and some yarns and get inspired by nature. Take some photos, and you are ready to go. This is all about applying yarn to a surface and making at least part of it three-dimensional in a variety of ways. It is not aimed at beginners - much of it looks rather advanced - but this is perhaps looking at the book from the wrong end. As long as you know some embroidery stitches and have an encyclopaedia with some more in to hand (you won't learn many in here) then you can happily discard many rules and have a lot of fun. I particularly love the way the book is divided into colors, and each section begins with a double page of inspiring photos of all sorts of things that color. As for what you need it depends on what you want to make, so settle down for a roller coaster ride of not only freestyle embroidery but applique, beadwork, ribbon embroidery, stumpwork and more. Very highly recommended. Workshop On The Web: This book is dedicated 'To all who enjoy the inspiration of antiquity and the Pleasure of Stitching', which gives you a clue to its target audience. But this book should not be discounted by those who prefer a modern approach to textiles. You wouldn't buy this book unless you did have some interest in hand embroidery, but if you are interested in creating 3D flowers or insects to incorporate into your work, then there is a wealth of instruction in doing this. Divided into chapters of colour inspiration and projects, there is a variety of projects to tackle and there is also a useful introductory section which gives advice on using textured threads, creating simple photo transfers and using wire, ribbon and beading. Some of the projects produce amazing results, especially the 3D gerbera flower and beaded dragonfly on tulle, which would make a great embellishment on a hand-made bag. After thinking that this book would have nothing to offer me, I was pleasantly surprised to find that several pages have been bookmarked and I am procrastinating about handing it over to my Mum, who is next in line for a look. Samantha Packer Fabrications: Lesley and Nikki offer a wonderful range of three-dimensional textured embroidery projects featuring plants, animals and insects. Techniques include ribbon work, applique, fabric manipulation, beading and stitching. The projects range from a quick and easy dragonfly or butterfly to exotic three-dimensional fruit and flowers. The smaller designs are ideal for adding to a quilting project or for embellishing bathroom, dining room or bedroom linen. Step-by-step instructions guide you through each project and are accompanied by helpful stitch diagrams and templates. This is the ideal time for using up some of those hand-dyed fabrics and textured fibres you've got in your stash and you can of course adapt the designs to suit your own tastes and level of ability. A fabulous book with wonderful photography and even if embroidery is not perhaps your thing - it will be once you open up the pages - believe me! A lovely book filled with three-dimensional textured embroidery...Offering a fantastic array of flowers and insects, this book is packed with mixed media technqiues such as ribbon work, applique, fabric manipulation, beading and stitching. Projects range from a quick and easy dragonfly and a nesting bird to exotic passion flowers and three dimensional fruit. Includes stitch diagrams and templates. Forgetting the contents and title, it's the first book we've seen in a long time that will teach and inspire you to combine colours for stunning effects.-Machine Knitting Monthly

Taking inspiration from nature, this stunning variety of stitched projects offers a fantastic array of flowers, insects, butterflies, and birds, which utilize an intriguing range of materials and methods. The mixed-media techniques involved include ribbon work, applique, fabric manipulation, beading, and stumpwork. Accompanied by stitch diagrams and templates, the projects are geared to help both novices and experts extend their embroidery skills. From a quick and easy dragonfly to exotic passion flowers and three-dimensional fruit, each finished piece represents a unique vision of the outdoor world.