The Kew Book of Embroidered Flowers (Folder edition)
This sumptuous and inspiring book, written by needlework expert Trish Burr and created in association with The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is a stunning, contemporary guide to embroidering flowers. All the reusable iron-on transfers needed are kept safely together with the book in an attractive hardback folder.
Focusing mainly on long-and-short stitch and Trish's delicate, considered use of silk shading, the book contains all the clearly-illustrated stitches needed, and gives thorough advice on preparation and choosing fabrics and threads including a handy thread conversion chart.
The embroideries are reworkings of botanical artworks from Kew's Art Collection. There is one 'starter' project to encourage readers to try out the techniques, one large sampler containing 18 small elements that can be worked individually or as a group, and nine further projects including a striking spider chrysanthemum, an elegant waterlily and an opulent magnolia. All the projects are shown step-by-step, with an order of work diagram given where appropriate.
The enclosed reusable iron-on transfer papers offer embroiderers a fast and accurate method of transferring the designs - the transfers simply need ironing on to fabric so that the reader can start embroidering straight away. The templates are also included at full size at the back of the book.
This stunning yet practical book is a must-have for anyone interested in capturing flowers in thread.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Kew 6
Introduction 8
What is needle painting? 10
Tools and materials 10
Preparation 16
Stitch instructions 20
Securing your thread
Long-and-short stitch
Split stitch
Satin stitch
French knots
Bullion stitch
Practise the stitches
Outlines 30
Raised embroidery 32
Anatomy of a flower 34
Useful advice before you start 35
Simple projects 36
Japanese anemone 38
Flower sampler 44
Clematis 94
Camellia 100
Intermediate projects 106
Rhododendron 108
Waterlily 116
Iris 122
Spider chrysanthemum 128
Advanced projects 134
Rose 136
Magnolia 144
Poppy 154
Thread substitutes 163
The templates 164
Using the iron-on transfers 176
About Trish Burr
Trish Burr is a self-taught and renowned embroiderer. Through research and practice she has developed this individual technique of surface embroidery. She is the author of several highly successful books. Trish lives and works in Cape Town, South Africa. For more information on Trish and her work visit www.trishbembroidery.com