From traditional hand stitching to innovative machine embroidery 'Embroidery' contains all the skills and information you need to become a proficient embroiderer. For beginners, a visual dictionary of hand embroidery stitches shows you all you need to know to get started, and provides a valuable reference for those with more experience. Advice is given on choosing materials and equipment, how to use an embroidery hoop, colour the background fabric and to transfer a design successfully. Once you've mastered the basics, learn how to use the stitches to great effect, then move on to learn new skills such as ribbon embroidery, whitework, needlelace and any of a number of counted-thread techniques. Throughout history, hand embroidery has been used to beautify household linen and decorate clothing. For many women, embroidery presented an opportunity for creative expression and for young girls, making a cross-stitch sampler was a means of learning the alphabet as well as perfecting sewing skills. Today, this wide and varied subject embraces a wealth of historical and worldwide traditions. Machine embroidery has revolutionized traditional hand embroidery, widening the boundaries of the craft and making it accessible to more people. No experience of hand embroidery is necessary, just a willingness to experiment with the capabilities of your sewing machine. Full details are given on how to get the most from your sewing machine. With inspirational examples of contemporary and traditional work, and over 500 specially commissioned colour illustrations and photographs, 'Embroidery' provides all the basic information you need to master each skill with confidence and produce professional, accurate results you can be proud of.