Butterflies
are a perennially popular subject for crafters, and here is
a book filled with patterns to embroider and combine with
wool appliqué. Either embroider them in the usual way,
or combine with colorful felted wool or wool felt for extra
dimension.
If you love bright colors as much as
I do, you will instantly want to own this book when you see
the cover. These are not the butterflies you see in the real
world but fantasy versions, including moths, a dragonfly and
a lacewing. I would recommend this title for improvers and
up, because although there are instructions for working chain
stitch plus a number of its variations, other stitches are
shown as photographic details from the patterns. Thus you
might know how to work fly stitch but unless you can work
out tête de boeuf or wrapped fly stitch you will need
a stitch encyclopaedia. The same goes for needle weaving,
double cast-on stitch and Pekinese stitch; the lack of instructions
is a bit disappointing.
Fortunately
there are instructions for transferring line drawings and
working the felt appliqué, plus a gallery of ideas
if you are wondering what exactly to make. The main part of
the book contains all the patterns, which are actual size
and are of the type you need to trace rather than iron-on
transfers. Each of the twelve flying creatures is shown three
times: as a pattern for embroidery, a pattern for appliqué
and the separate pieces to cut out of the felt. Also included
are four photographs, two for each style. These show the finished
piece, plus the same image showing what all the stitches are.
There are no shade numbers as you are free to choose your
own colors. All the embroidery is done using 8-weight hand-dyed
perle cottons, which are not exactly thick on the ground here
in the UK, but you can stitch them with a wide variety of
threads. The author says that she had a lot of fun compiling
this book and I can imagine it. This is a lovely and relaxing
way to add a touch of butterfly magic to your fabric projects.
If
you cannot find a good range of embroidery and needlecraft
materials locally try www.searchpress.com
for a list of suppliers.
Wool
tops, felting supplies and hand dyed perle thread from www.gilliangladrag.co.uk/
Ships worldwide
Felting
supplies and hand dyed perle thread from www.stef-francis.co.uk/
Will ship outside the UK too
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