About the Book
This innovative new series provides numerous hand-stitched motifs* for embellishing, upcycling and revamping clothes, accessories and fabric items around the home. Simply choose a design from one of the 32 stitched samplers provided, transfer it to your chosen item using the corresponding iron-on transfer sheet at the back of the book, and add hand stitching following the instructions provided. There are notes on the materials and basic techniques used at the start of the book, and with just ten simple embroidery stitches to choose from, all with clear, step-by-step diagrams, even those new to stitching will be able to tackle all the designs provided. Clear instructions accompany each motif, with information on the DMC thread colours and the embroidery stitches used. Throughout, however, the reader is encouraged to experiment with the designs and interpret them in their own style by using different colours and stitches. In addition, there is a range of inspiring project ideas showing how the designs can be used, making this a must-have resource for sewers of all abilities.
This book takes borders and motifs as its theme and contains over 80 designs that include flowers, butterflies, hearts and fairies in a broad range of styles. So whether you are looking for a small, dainty flower to decorate a child's dress, or a large, bold heart to add impact to a bag or jacket, you will find something in this book that matches your item perfectly.
*All the motifs have appeared previously in The Design Library and Design Source Book series, both published by Search Press.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
What you need
Stitches used
Transferring the designs
Using an embroidery hoop
The samplers
The projects
The transfers
About the Author :
Michaela Learner has worked as a freelance embroiderer, needlecrafter and designer for many years. A practitioner of surface stitching, she uses a range of decorative techniques including freestyle stitchery, blackwork, hardanger, cross stitch and pulled thread work. She writes articles for magazines and part-works, and is one of the designers for the leading embroidery-thread manufacturer DMC.
Michaela is the author of Ready to Stitch: Borders and Motifs (2014).
Michaela lives in Cardiff, Wales, UK.
Review :
June 2016
This is a fantastic bok that contains 32 classic embroidery designs so that you can give your clothes and accessories a touch of handmade style. Chose from one of the beautiful stitched samplers on offer, and transfer the deisng on to your item using the iron on transfers supplied at the end of the book. Michaela has also stitched up many of the samples in more than one way, using different coloured threads and stitches to show you how you can vary the different designs and create your own look. There's also an inspiring projects section to give you even more ideas.
With 84 beautiful designs this is the ideal book to improve your embroidery skills..
The designs can also be coloured with fabric pens, buttons, ribbons and sequins can be used as embellishments, but what's more is that whether you are a beginner or an advanced stitcher there is something for everyone.
The 32 samples that are showcased, all include a DMC thread colour chart. Each stitch is described and a demonstration section using visual and wording is easy to understand.
Transferring the designs is simple, just a hot iron held down over the template will give a clear defined image. These designs can be used several times.
The projects are adorable, bunting, bags and Christmas cards, but the possibilities are endless. All you need is a little imagination and some thread.
This is a wonderful book. The designs are all good sizes, so every need can be catered for. You can even trace around the designs if you don't want to cut up your book.
It would make a gorgeous gift and is 'sew' much fun.
June/July 2015
Oceanic motifs in this eclectic collection include a pair of fish - fabulous for anywhere you want to add an aquatic note, such as a border on bathroom curtains or a central image on an apron for a cook keen on seafood. The scroll and wave bored are also ideally suited for marine inspired settings and garments. The book includes iron-on transfers of 84 designs. The transfers can be used several times and of course you can also trace them off or scan them for endless re-use. DMC threads are specified by colour, making precise reproduction of the images even simpler. Although just ten stitches are used throughout, the results are diverse and full of pattern and texture, showing just how much variety can be achieved with a limited stitch repertoire. Stitched these designs can be as speedy or leisurely as you wish. A simple stitched motif even a small amount of detailing, such as a block of satin stitch to highlight the fills on an outlined fish, and a few French knots to suggest texture, are all you need to produce some striking work.
July 14
Learn how to decorate plainweave fabrics with decorative stitches with this new book from Michaela Learner. Borders & Motifs features a vast collection of motifs and patterns that can enliven household linens, clothing and much more. The designs range in theme from flowers, hearts and fish to fairies and flounces which are all formed using basic embroidery stitches. These stitches are fully explained in the front of the book, and each motif has a diagram and DMC thread listing. The designs are presented as re-usable iron transfers and once cut out the pages can be stored in the pocket in the back cover.
July 14
Another stunning new title in the Ready to Stitch series. Michaela presents 32 designs suitable for embellishing clothing and accessories, using just 10 simple stitches. Transfers for all designs are included and with detailed instructions accompanied by beautiful photographs, the embroiderer can achieve pleasing and individual results.
July 2015
These books are part of the ‘Ready to Stitch’ series and focus on hand-stitching techniques. They use the same ten simple embroidery stitches as a basis for all the patterns and projects included. Utilised in slightly different ways, both books follow the same format – an introduction to the stitches, preparations for stitch, step-by-step instructions on how to tackle the 32 designs (in each book) and a number of projects. In each, there is a colour pattern with details of the threads used.
These will appeal to more traditional stitchers, particularly the Flowers book, which has a ‘needlework’ feel to it. The Borders and Motifs book seems more modern, which might be due to bolder colour choices in the palettes. Further, the designs are not as restricted as the Flower book with funky heart designs, butterflies, fish and trees to name a few, so you will find more variety in Borders and Motifs. What is very appealing in both books is the addition of reusable iron-on transfers. You can detach the pages (a handy sleeve is incorporated into the cover so you can keep them safe) and use them up to ten times. This gives great opportunities for mixing and matching the patterns. I have used one of the Borders and Motifs patterns in the Product reviews in this issue. Even if you are not a dedicated hand-stitcher, there is much in these books for you to take further and experiment with.
September 2014
How many times have we looked for a border or motif to finish a project only to find we can’ t just find what we are looking for. Look no longer. This beautifully illustrated book takes you from step one to pages of inspiration on how the borders and motifs that can be used on a variety of fabrics. Instructions care clear and detailed. There are transfers for 32 core designs in full colour using DMC threads with details of the thread colours used. Whether you are a beginner to embroidery or are a more experienced embroiderer this is a must have book.
