For Julia Gray, silk is the finest of natural fibres and is full of life and shine. Embroidery on this beautiful fabric has been worked in many countries, but Julia finds the perfection aspired to in traditional Japanese embroidery a wonderful challenge. She learned in Japan by copying the work of a master, and found not only a way to stitch, but also a philosophy that allowed her to achieve balance and harmony in her everyday life. In this inspirational guide she shares her passion and in depth knowledge of the history and practice of this eastern art form. It covers everything from handling flat silk and twisting your own threads to working the different stitches and finishing off an embroidery. Japanese design is influenced by the four seasons, but traditional designs also use the colors and symbols associated with festivals—trees, dolls, fish, birds, and mythical figures. A series of simple step-by-step projects, which include the story behind each motif, help the reader to develop their techniques and learn about the symbolism of a great tradition.

Sashiko, the traditional Japanese technique of needlework quilting, uses simple running stitch to create beautifully decorative patterns ideal for patchwork, quilting and embroidery. This little book describes everything you need to begin stitching.

Fall in love with boro & sashiko stitching 30+ authentic stitch patterns, 9 projects. Combine hand stitches to create dramatic, unique designs and learn to embrace imperfection, admiring the utilitarian beauty of every stitch. “Shibaguyz” Shannon and Jason Mullett-Bowlsby invite you to try your hand at boro, the traditional Japanese art of mending and quilting, and more than 30 authentic sashiko designs. Stitching lessons are true to tradition, inspired by historical works by Japanese masters. This guide in sashiko and boro includes patterns, stitch how-tos, and needle-threading and knotting tips. Put your handwork to good use with 9 contemporary projects like a sashiko sampler wallhanging, reversible knot bag, or a kimono-inspired jacket! With step-by-step instructions, even beginners can embrace the art of visible mending. Hand sew 30+ authentic sashiko patterns with best-selling authors the Shibaguyz Recreate the traditional art of boro (mending textiles) with 9 useful projects from jackets and bags to home decor Read stitch charts, mark fabrics, and thread your needle with tips from the pros

This text provides the embroiderer with a technique and design source book for this delicate and greatly admired form of embroidery.

This beautiful and inspiring guide gives full instructions using step-by-step photographs on the techniques and stitches needed for silk shading. There are four exquisite projects to create.

“Virtually unknown outside Japan until recently, Temari consists of a ball core covered with plain sewing thread and finished on the outside with brightly colored embroidery thread in geometric designs. Twenty-two illustrated step-by-step projects for finishing the outside complete the book....An excellent and beautifully illustrated guide and is highly recommended for all crafts collections.”—Library Journal.

Embrace a simpler approach to stitching with bold one- and two-color embroidery motifs Zakka Embroidery presents designs that are an elegant blend of Japanese and Scandinavian style. The motifs and patterns are spare and graphic, yet softened with organic shapes and imagery drawn from nature. The result is embroidery that evokes a personal feel and conjures a sense of nostalgia. The task of picking just the right palette for an embroidery project can be overwhelming to beginners and experienced stitchers alike. But when you take away that challenge, a whole world of texture and style becomes available. Here Japanese designer Yumiko Higuchi presents embroidery motifs to be stitched using just one or two colors—creating patterns and designs that are more evocative for their form than for a play of colors. Each embroidery design is paired with a simple craft project, transforming the stitched fabric into a functional object, including pouches, pillows, aprons, and more. With beautiful photographs, clear step-by-step instructions, and detailed diagrams, Zakka Embroidery will be an inspiring guide for those new to embroidery and a delightful experience for those experienced with needle and thread.

Japanese embroidery place importance on cultivating the individual student`s humanity and spirit which enhance the inner beauty, without focusing exclusively on learning the skill, the practical use. Such inner deepening will surely appear on their embroidery works, and, hopefully, this will also improve and brighten their lives at the same time. This is our aim on the path of Nuido - the integration of both spirit and skill - The Way of Embroidery. Our purpose is to share this enriching practice not only in Japan, where this beautiful embroidery comes from, but throughout the world with all who wish to participate. The different techniques and stitches are explained in detail. Passionate readers will also find photos of embroidered creations.

Tambour work is a form of chain stitch, a favoured technique for decorative bead-embroidered tulle laces such as Carrickmacross and Limerick. This book demonstrates basic techniques for thread, bead and net embroidery and includes a design resource of traditional and contemporary ideas.

This popular book by Ruth Chamberlin now returns as a Search Press Classic, with an updated design and preface on the author by the illustrious embroiderer Mary Corbet. A needle art that dates back over a thousand years, goldwork embroidery involves sewing with lavish metal threads. It has been prized and often used by religious orders and royal households for its opulence and the way the light glimmers and plays on the beautiful metallic designs. Those in love with this brilliant style of embroidery can now create their own with easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide. Through calm and deliberate instruction, Chamberlin's book aims to teach the reader how to create a personal sampler - a piece of embroidery containing a mixture of designs and stitches, which shall provide a basis for future projects and enable readers to continue on their goldwork journey. With multiple stitch techniques - from simple laid stitch to the more complex basket stitch, several design motifs with corresponding templates that can be used, and a luminous gallery of finished work interspersed throughout, Chamberlin's work gently introduces beginners to the exquisite needle art of goldwork embroidery.