[back cover] This essential guide to embroidery teaches everything you need to know in order to produce wonderfully decorative needlework. Starting with the knowledge of which threads and fabrics to work with, then mastering different stitches and more complicated techniques, you'll discover the satisfaction of creating your own uniquely embellished accessories, garments, and items for the home. Clearly explains the tools, materials, and techniques required to start stitching From cross stitch to appliqui, more than thirty stitches are examined with step-by-step photographs and easy-to-follow diagrams Shows a range of beautiful designs that are easy to scale and work with Twelve inspired projects allow you to practice your skills while creating beautiful items for yourself, your family, and your home [front flap] If you have ever enjoyed doing a cross-stitch kit and wanted to learn more about the art of embroidery, this is the book for you. Learn to work the different types of embroidery stitches on both evenweave and plain weave fabrics, and use them to decorate articles for your friends, family, and home. The techniques are easy to learn from the step-by-step photographs. All the designs used in the book are presented either as charts or outline drawings, ready for you to copy, and all the stitches are described in detail in the chapter titled Stitch Library. The projects include quick and simple greeting cards, kitchen accessories, personalized garments for yourself and your family, pictures, pillows, and table linen. This book will open your eyes to the wide range of beautiful embroidered effects you can apply to gifts, clothes, andaccessories, with just a needle and some colored threads.

[back flap] ABOUT THE AUTHOR Betty Barnden is a freelance needlecraft designer. She studied furniture design at the Royal College of Art in England. Her embroidery, knitwear, and crochet designs have appeared in many magazines, including "Woman, Woman's Own, Women's Weekly, Prima, Classic Stitches, Beautiful Stitches, Crafts Beautiful, Popular Crafts, Sewing World, and Inspirations. She has designed embroidery projects and kits for Coats Crafts UK and The Craft Collection, and is a regular contributor to "Sewing World magazine. Her awards include: 1st prize, Courtelle Awards for Handknitting; Emu Designer Award; and 1st prize (Surface Embroidery Category), Kreinik Illumination 25th Anniversary Competition. Betty has written several other needlework books, including "Knitting Basics, also published in North America by Barron's.