This comprehensive and colourful book covers everything from composing a picture and setting up the machine to choosing threads and silk paints and creating different effects in stitch. Each of the three step-by-step projects allow you to put all you have learnt into practice to make a stunningly effective embroidered picture, and will inspire you to transform what you see around you into your own, unique designs.

Raising the Surface with Machine Embroidery by Maggie Grey
WAS $39.95 NOW $32.00


Raising the Surface with Machine Embroidery is a book for everyone who is fascinated by texture in embroidery. The book starts with full details on producing backgrounds, often using experimental or unusual materials. It deals with raising the surface a little to produce highly textured, low-relief embroideries, moving on to using applied motifs for high relief textiles. It also covers frames, masks and high-relief panels and concludes with three-dimensional constructions: bowls, vessels and towers. Lavishly illustrated with over 100 colour photographs, Raising the Surface is supplemented with clear diagrams and detailed step-by-step text. No great experience is needed to produce the pieces illustrated and described – all you need is enthusiasm and a swing-needle sewing machine.
Susan's Note: This is the book I take with me to markets so when people ask "what do you do with that?" I open my copy of this book and show them. A great reference and introduction to many techniques for textile art. 128 pages, soft cover.

Beginner's Guide to Machine Embroidery By Pamela Watts
WAS $26.95 NOW $20.00

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This fresh and original guide to creating unusual and beautiful embroideries offers a wealth of information, with easy-to-follow stitch samplers, projects and inspirational photographs of finished pieces.

Pamela Watts explores all the techniques with infectious enthusiasm, showing how to work the stitches, adjust tension, layer fabrics, develop surfaces, build up texture, create lacy effects with water soluble fabric and more.

Step-by-step photographs accompany a series of projects which are designed to improve skills and the book is packed with expert advice on all aspects of machine embroidery. A final section takes you beyond fabrics into using metal, mesh, handmade paper and more. Vibrant and exciting designs can be created easily using these materials. The effect is stunning when they are combined with soft and transparent fabrics, and lustrous threads. Softcover, 64 pages