Issue 90, Jul 05
Pat Trott shows us how to bring embroideries to life with her original and vibrant guide. We learn how to create many different raised stitches. French knots, tufting, stem stitch, whipped spider's web, woven picot and more are included so the book would be wonderful for anyone who likes to add Swiss darning to knitting. Illustrated throughout with diagrams and step-by-step photography, [this book] combines techniques with inspiration.
* Machine Knitting Monthly *
Issue 36, Jun/Jul 05
Pat Trott shows you how to bring your embroidery to life in this step-by-step guide. it is illustrated throughout with diagrams and step-by-step photography that take you through 17 different stitches as well as exploring ways of combining stitches and colours. Pat's easy to follow projects include a rockery, climbing roses, a beach scene and daffodils in a wood.
This little book is useful for both embroiders who want to add a new dimension to their work and to quilters who want to explore new ways of embellishing, and is worthy of any bookshelf.
* Fabrications *
Sept 08
The first half of this book includes a very practical stitch guide with clear step-by-step photos for each stitch, as well as tips on fabric painting techniques (etc). The second half of the book is project-based, with full-colour pictures, line drawings to trace, and full instructions. If you want to learn how to add texture to your embroidery, this book is a great starting point. It's a shame the cover is not shown here, as it really does give a good idea of what to expect from the contents.
My main thoughts on this book are really only minor quibbles. I thought that although the stitch reference guide was very practical, it perhaps showed fewer stitches in greater detail than strictly necessary, at the expense of instead including a wider variety of stitches to choose from. Also, although the projects in the latter half are attractive, they didn't really excite me greatly (obviously, this is purely a matter of personal taste). Having said that, there are various elements of the projects that did appeal to me, and I can imagine adapting them within my own work. I also thought the instructions were very comprehensive and well-written, so perfect for anyone who DID want to follow the projects exactly as presented.
The stitches and projects in this book are intended for free embroidery, but I think actually most aspects could be successfully adapted for counted thread embroidery, so creative counted embroiderers should not dismiss this book as irrelevant. At first glance, I didn't think this book quite lived up to my hopes for it, but after consideration, the way it is presented does actually offer a lot of versatility, and I think I will be able to use the contents in a very practical way, especially as departure points for linked ideas.
Although I would have preferred greater quantity in terms of stitch reference, this is still a lovely book to add to my collection, and sits well alongside Gilda Baron's 'The Art of Embroidered Flowers'.
Su Mwumba
* Waterstones Newsletter *
Winter 05
The illustrations in this book are very interesting with different types, colours and thicknesses of threads used. The instructions for the stitches are well depicted and should be of interest to those of us who wish to experiement with stitches that are not available in many other stitch guides. An inexpensive book to add to one's collection.
* West Country Embroiderers *
