Gardens
are popular subjects for embroidery and have been so for centuries.
But they usually focus on the floral side of nature and neglect
the other important group of plants found in gardens –
vegetables! This book redresses the balance with patterns
for use in the kitchen and anywhere else associated with this
type of plant.
I
guess the fact that vegetables are usually just seen as ingredients
has made them seem rather ordinary. But take a closer look
and see how attractive many of them are, plus of course, many
also produce pretty flowers of their own.
Like
all the books I have seen that originated in Japan, this one
follows a particular layout. At the front are photographs
of all the projects, followed by the instructions and patterns.
This means you get to whet your appetite with pages of colorful
examples of embroidered vegetables before getting down to
the more practical aspects. This is a book aimed at the embroiderer
who already has a working knowledge of freestyle stitches
and knows what tools and materials you are going to require.
There are two pages of this type of information plus stitch
diagrams, the latter helpful to anybody, as it shows which
stitches you are going to be using.
The
patterns vary from rows of small plants suitable for borders
(or a sampler showing the layout of a kitchen garden) to whole
page drawings and everything in between. Lines are black and
very fine; the author suggests you trace them onto the fabric
over dressmaker’s carbon using a stylus, which is what
I always do. Each pattern has lines to show which stitch to
use, and which color of DMC floss.
Choose
from traditional garden favorites such as tomatoes, carrots,
onions and potatoes. or more contemporary choices such as
edible flowers, sprouting seeds, okra and komatsuna. Also
included are patterns for garden tools and visitors like birds
and insects. There aren’t any projects to make, but
any of these patterns would be ideal decorating a tote bag
to take to market, apron, napkins, tea cosy and anything else
for use where actual vegetables might also be making an appearance.
For anybody who wants to grow the actual plants there is a
list at the back. This does not give the actual species used
but the common name (ie carrot, parsley etc), scientific name
and where it originated. An attractive book for anybody who
likes to cook, garden and embroider.
If
you cannot find a good range of embroidery and needlecraft
materials locally try www.searchpress.com for a list of suppliers.
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