Embroidery
hoops that you can wear as jewelry? This is the latest way
of wearing your art in miniature, and the invention of the
book’s author. Visit her website www.dandelyne.com for
everything you need (if you are in Australia) plus stockists
for those in other countries.
One look at the glorious array of colourfully-stitched mini
hoops on the cover and I was sold. Wearable art is my passion
and I am always on the lookout for the latest thing. This
book tells you what you need to know, starting with lists
of what you need (basic needlecraft supplies) to suggestions
for fabrics, threads and “fun bits”. The next
section shows you how to assemble the hoops when completed,
some basic embroidery stitches, how to transfer designs and
other essentials. The page of tips and tricks are useful,
and throughout the author has written her book in a friendly,
chatty style which is accessible and a lot more fun than bald
instructions. I particularly like the page showing one simple
design (a heart) and nine different ways it could be worked.
There are over sixty different patterns in here and they are
divided into sections for ease of use. Start with that simple
heart, then progress to more embellished designs for feathers,
flowers and houses. Stitch a family portrait using simple
shapes (easier than it sounds and very effective), use lace,
sequins and beads, stitch your own drawing, work a design
that flows out of the hoop and couch down thicker threads.
Elsewhere are abstracts, traditional florals and even pet
portraits. Some of this can be done using the author’s
“spray and print” technique which utilizes a printer,
some spray adhesive and a picture file on the computer. This
book is full of modern embroidery ideas and is a lot of fun;
even beginners can master it and the designs can be as easy
or complex as you wish. A great new innovation.
If you cannot find a good range of embroidery materials locally
try www.searchpress.com for a list of suppliers.
If you are in the UK www.cloudcraft.co.uk has the best range
of Dandelyne products.
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