Product Description
New stitches continue to be invented and these pages contain a number of new ones worked out by Constance Howard who has been asked by so many of her students to prepare such a book so that they, and a much wider audience, may be able to enjoy further experiments on their own. The book aims to show the enormous scope of stitches, their versatility, the fascinating textures and patterns obtainable with them, and the variety that is possible in working a stich in different threads, changing its scale and spacing, working carefully, working freely, combining stiches to make new ones or altering the angle of the stitch. With the aid of the Tunbridge Wells and District Branch Embroiderers' Guild a large number of experiments have been carried out, many of which are used here to illustrate some of the versatility of even the simplest of stitches. It is hoed that from these results the reader will be inspired to try out more ideas for themselves and to enjoy using stitches.
About the Author
During her lifetime, Constance Howard was single-handedly responsible for bringing embroidery into the world of art and fashion. In 1948 she established the department of Embroidery in the Art School at Goldsmith's College, London. From running a part-time course, she became principal lecturer in charge of textiles and fashion - with embroidery as a main subject for Diploma in Art and Design. This course would later become the BA Honours degree course. Constance Howard was a member of the British Craft Centre, of the Society of Designer Craftsmen, the Embroiderers' Guild and the Art Workers' Guild, as well as of the World Crafts Council. Her work has been exhibited widely in Great Britain as well as in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA where she has held many workshops. In recognition of her services to art education, Constance Howard was awarded the MBE in 1975.