This is a treasure trove of ideas and inspiration for embroiderers and lovers of Japanese culture alike.
Follow the amazing designs of world renowned embroidery artist Jane Nicholas in this stunning book. Learn how to create your own sumptuous embroidered designs based on the rich history of Japanese stitching techniques and styles.
Jane Nicholas is one of the world's leading embroiderers, specializing in Stumpwork. Her exquisite embroideries in Goldwork and Stumpwork are inspired by Japanese family crests, a subject that has fascinated her for many years. In this book, Jane has selected 12 designs and interpreted them in a variety of ways using combinations of goldwork and raised and surface stitching. Measuring just 4in (10cm) square, each is worked on an assortment of silk Japanese kimono fabrics, and is accompanied by detailed instructions, a stitch diagram, and the outline for the design.
At the start of the book there is a fascinating history of Japanese family crests,
followed by a stitch directory and
a comprehensive techniques section covering the essential methods of working Stumpwork and Goldwork.
Illustrated throughout with sumptuous photography and informative diagrams
This is a treasure trove of ideas and inspiration for embroiderers and lovers of Japanese culture alike.
From Mary Corbet's Needle 'n' Thread --
"This book, which features gorgeous projects, comes across as much more detailed in instruction, with visuals that make the book very accessible, even if you have not had experience with either goldwork or stumpwork. The projects in the book are beautiful. Each one reflects Jane’s touch and style (yes, we do get the whimsical bug here and there!).
.... We move into techniques that include the preliminaries, like preparing your ground fabric, transferring your design, working with wire, various goldwork and stumpwork techniques, and all the foundational instruction you need in order to complete any of the projects. This section is a goldmine, whether you’re working the projects in the book or not. They’re full of useful tips on setting up any kind of similar project. You’ll learn a lot here, whether you plan to embroidery one of the designs or you just plan to soak up some inspiration from them.
The instruction is delivered via lots of diagrams (and text), with close-up photos of the embroidered section that’s being covered, so that you can see the method and techniques in the diagram, along with the desired outcome in the photo."
Library Journal
"Expert stumpwork and goldwork teacher Nicholas (Shakespeare’s Flowers in Stumpwork) draws inspiration from traditional Japanese family crests for this collection of small projects incorporating surface embroidery, stumpwork, and goldwork. These techniques combine exquisite metal threads and three-dimensional wirework to create ornate, decorative designs. Twelve small projects are included in the collection, ranging from goldwork butterflies that pop off the fabric to flower-and-insect pairings featuring sakura, peony, iris, and lotus flowers. Nicholas’s instructions are highly detailed, with guidance on specific threads, needle sizes, and thread lengths, and each project is divided into sections that focus on one part of the design. Both diagrams and close-up photographs of completed works and works-in-progress are included, allowing embroiderers to follow along with the instructions. A history of Japanese family crests and basic information about tools, embroidery stitches, and transfer techniques are featured in the introduction, and traceable and downloadable templates are provided for each project.VERDICT Nicholas’s pieces are beautiful, but they’re best for embroiderers with experience in surface embroidery, stumpwork, and goldwork. For a thorough grounding in the basics of these techniques, beginners should start with the Royal School of Needlework’s guides [available from Search Press]."
Jane Nicholas is one of the world’s leading embroiderers and has worked in the field for over thirty years, specializing in stumpwork and goldwork. She has written ten books and has contributed widely to journals and magazines. She teaches in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US, and continues to research and develop new techniques, particularly in stumpwork. In 2005, Jane was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM), for her 'services to hand embroidery as an artist, teacher and author'. Jane lives in New South Wales, Australia. Her website is https://janenicholas.com
This is a treasure trove of ideas and inspiration for embroiderers and lovers of Japanese culture alike.
Follow the amazing designs of world renowned embroidery artist Jane Nicholas in this stunning book. Learn how to create your own sumptuous embroidered designs based on the rich history of Japanese stitching techniques and styles.
Jane Nicholas is one of the world's leading embroiderers, specializing in Stumpwork. Her exquisite embroideries in Goldwork and Stumpwork are inspired by Japanese family crests, a subject that has fascinated her for many years. In this book, Jane has selected 12 designs and interpreted them in a variety of ways using combinations of goldwork and raised and surface stitching. Measuring just 4in (10cm) square, each is worked on an assortment of silk Japanese kimono fabrics, and is accompanied by detailed instructions, a stitch diagram, and the outline for the design.
At the start of the book there is a fascinating history of Japanese family crests,
followed by a stitch directory and
a comprehensive techniques section covering the essential methods of working Stumpwork and Goldwork.
Illustrated throughout with sumptuous photography and informative diagrams
This is a treasure trove of ideas and inspiration for embroiderers and lovers of Japanese culture alike.
Praise
From Mary Corbet's Needle 'n' Thread --
"This book, which features gorgeous projects, comes across as much more detailed in instruction, with visuals that make the book very accessible, even if you have not had experience with either goldwork or stumpwork. The projects in the book are beautiful. Each one reflects Jane’s touch and style (yes, we do get the whimsical bug here and there!).
.... We move into techniques that include the preliminaries, like preparing your ground fabric, transferring your design, working with wire, various goldwork and stumpwork techniques, and all the foundational instruction you need in order to complete any of the projects. This section is a goldmine, whether you’re working the projects in the book or not. They’re full of useful tips on setting up any kind of similar project. You’ll learn a lot here, whether you plan to embroidery one of the designs or you just plan to soak up some inspiration from them.
The instruction is delivered via lots of diagrams (and text), with close-up photos of the embroidered section that’s being covered, so that you can see the method and techniques in the diagram, along with the desired outcome in the photo."
Library Journal
"Expert stumpwork and goldwork teacher Nicholas (Shakespeare’s Flowers in Stumpwork) draws inspiration from traditional Japanese family crests for this collection of small projects incorporating surface embroidery, stumpwork, and goldwork. These techniques combine exquisite metal threads and three-dimensional wirework to create ornate, decorative designs. Twelve small projects are included in the collection, ranging from goldwork butterflies that pop off the fabric to flower-and-insect pairings featuring sakura, peony, iris, and lotus flowers. Nicholas’s instructions are highly detailed, with guidance on specific threads, needle sizes, and thread lengths, and each project is divided into sections that focus on one part of the design. Both diagrams and close-up photographs of completed works and works-in-progress are included, allowing embroiderers to follow along with the instructions. A history of Japanese family crests and basic information about tools, embroidery stitches, and transfer techniques are featured in the introduction, and traceable and downloadable templates are provided for each project.VERDICT Nicholas’s pieces are beautiful, but they’re best for embroiderers with experience in surface embroidery, stumpwork, and goldwork. For a thorough grounding in the basics of these techniques, beginners should start with the Royal School of Needlework’s guides [available from Search Press]."
Author
Jane Nicholas is one of the world’s leading embroiderers and has worked in the field for over thirty years, specializing in stumpwork and goldwork. She has written ten books and has contributed widely to journals and magazines. She teaches in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US, and continues to research and develop new techniques, particularly in stumpwork. In 2005, Jane was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM), for her 'services to hand embroidery as an artist, teacher and author'. Jane lives in New South Wales, Australia. Her website is https://janenicholas.com
