The Embroidery Book

November 1, 2016

Brown's (Embroidered & Embellished) book provides an overview of embroidery stitches and techniques as well as inspiration for embroidery projects. The focus is on her designs, which use colorful fabrics and (often vintage) trims and buttons as a complement to elaborate embroidery. She dissects several of her pieces, summarizing the color palette, decorative elements, and stitches used, and supplying insight into her artistic process. A stitch dictionary, which includes a variety of decorative and specialty stitches (including silk ribbon and bead embroidery), wraps up the title. VERDICT Stitchers who prefer a simple style may be overwhelmed by Brown's approach, which combines numerous techniques, materials, embellishments, and fabrics on a single piece, but crazy quilters and stitchers who enjoy maximalist approaches will be inspired.

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