Reviews

As preparation for much of my work I conduct a lot of research, and look for books with unique and innovative approaches.  As time permits, I will add reviews of those I find most interesting.  The most recent review is shown at the top if the list on the left.

• The Embroidery Stitch Bible
• Review

The Embroidery Stitch Bible

Author Betty Barnden.

ISBN 0-87349-510-1
256 page hardcover with spiral, 8” x 7”
Krause Publication

Notes

• Excellent coloured photos and diagrams
• Easy to follow directions
• Reference for quick consultation
• As a guide to learn new stitches
• Spiral bound – easy to use standing or laying flat
• Stitch selector visual index
• Working practise chapter
• Colour coded pages for easy reference

Purpose of the Book

This book presents a very comprehensive encyclopaedia of hand embroidery stitch information with easy to follow directions and coloured photos.

Observations

This book is very user friendly. It is ideal for the experienced embroiderer or for someone just learning to stitch. The first part of the book contains a pictorial overview of stitches with referencing page numbers where complete information about the stitch is found. Stitches are grouped into two categories, stitches for fabric and stitches for canvas. Each page is colour coded, by stitch type, along the edge for easy reference.

The book contains excellent coloured photos and diagrams with detailed, easy to follow directions for each stitch. Wherever possible, alternate names for various stitches are given as well as possible uses for the stitch.

The Embroidery Essentials section is devoted to basic information required to get started on embroidery and includes these categories

• tools for stitching (needles, scissors, thimbles, hoops and frames),
• suggested materials (threads, fabrics, stabilizers),
• marking designs onto fabric,
• working from charts,
• how to stitch.
  

The Working Practise section is divided into three basic types of embroidery

• Counted Thread techniques,
• Freestyle Embroidery and
• Canvas work.
  

Here the various fabrics, threads and stitches suitable for each technique are described. The last part of the book describes Finishing Touches and care of the embroidery.

This is one of the books I keep referencing when doing hand embroidery. If I were to choose one book to take with me to a hand stitching weekend, it would be this one.

Pros

• Hard cover with spiral bound making it ideal for embroiderers to use as an easy reference while stitching.
• Excellent organization
  
• High quality illustrations
  

Cons

• None I noticed.