Ribbon embroidery and stumpwork may not be your idea of beginners embroidery, and, in some cases, I would say it really isnt. But this fantastic book by Di van Niekerk makes both ribbon embroidery and stumpwork accessible even to the newbie.
Ribbon embroidery in itself isnt too difficult. If you know your basic stitchesthen you can apply them to embroidery with ribbon almost as easily as with thread. But if you want to go beyond the average daisy or rose, then youll want to have a good guide to show you how.
Di van Niekerk is just such a guide. The bookRibbon Embroidery and Stumpworknot only makes the journey from simple ribbon stitching to complex, full-textured stumpwork and ribbon easy, but it also makes it fun. This book is beautiful anyone, whether an embroiderer or not, would be enchanted just flipping through it. The flowers and plant life are realistic and charming. The author takes the stitcher step-by-step through creating 12 different panels or motifs in stumpwork and ribbon. Each panel is made up of a small collage of flowers or fruit or greenery, sometimes accentuated with an insect or bird. The little panels can be worked in one lattice-like composite (gorgeous!) or separately. The concepts can be adapted to any of your own designs.
The author also takes the stitcher through all the basic stitches. Theres a colorful and clear stitch glossary in the middle of the book.
Besides covering the embroidery aspect, youll get some good direction on setting up your fabric, choosing threads and ribbon, and transfering designs. Theres quite a bit on heat transfer, using your color printer (or a commercial one) to print the design on the appropriate type of heat transfer paper. (Find this at Joanns online its calledPhoto Effects Transfer Paper). You then iron the design on to your fabric so you get all the color. The lattice-work composition that is shown on the front cover of the book is included inside. Its a watercolor-type print that you can scan and print on the correct transfer paper.
Anyone interested in either ribbon embroidery or stumpwork or both! will love this book!
-- Mary Corbet * Mary Corbet's Needle 'n' Thread *
Ribbon embroidery and STumpwork by Di Van Niekerk.
This is a lovely book based on a beautiful picture of ribbon work and STumpwork. Each individually worked flower is well illustrated and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. The photography to accompany the instructions is second to none. It even shows at the back of the book how to finish off your borders with ribbon. Well worth the money.
* Connie Russel *
Ribbon embroidery is something I have always wanted to learn, this book has really helped me I amazed at how easy it was to follow. The pictures are very clear, the instructions are very easy to follow. To be able to make the flowers lift of the page. I really like Pansy's so the wire and non wire shapes are really interesting .my plan is to make a big picture with all the technics . Fantastic delivery service and packaging .
* Diane Chandler *
Being a complete novice to Ribbon Embroidery and Stumpwork I opened this book apprehensively - and didn't need to!
The book is incredibly informative with step by step diagrams for each stitch and whilst there aren't any instructions written with the pictures you can clearly understand how each stitch is formed. I've only really just discovered embroidery, but already feel confident enough to give this a go - even if it's just practice on a piece of fabric. Not sure I can tackle some of the more difficult ones yet, but time will tell!
* Joanne Thoday *
I was lucky enough to be given this book to review from search press
This is a beautiful book with plenty of ideas & patterns. All patterns & instructions are both in words & pictures. The 1st chapter starts off by explaining the tools & equipment & what they are needed or used for. Then theres a really useful section on stitches
I know I've always loved sewing & embroidery so to me this is a very special book.
* Mandy Middleton *
A beautifully presented book with clear diagrams and fantastic photography. The first half of the book deals with the techniques required giving clear and thorough instructions for each of the techniques. The second half of the book is a series of projects all to create a flower design which can be made up into one large project if desired. Probably not a book for complete beginners, some experience of embroidery would be useful to get the most out of this; also a list of U.K. Suppliers at the back of the book would be nice. Overall a lovely book and one for anyone who loves embroidery and wants to try ribbon work!
* Susan Ward *
