Introduces the art of needlepoint embroidery by the use of sewing machines, to those uninitiated in this craft as well as to those who wish to understand their sewing machines better. This book is presented as a course, so that students can work through from the beginning to the end, but it is also possible to use the book as a reference work if a particular point needs clarifying. The Machine Embroiderer's Workbook also contains a list of useful addresses of manufacturers and material suppliers. Val Holmes is the author of Gardens in Embroidery.

Broaden your repertoire of original machine embroidery techniques and develop your own designs and unique pieces with plenty of practical instructions and creative inspiration. Lovely full-color photos and diagrams, expert guidelines, tips and hints, and a variety of sampler projects help you to make the most of your sewing machine and produce breathtaking results. Using fundamental design concepts such as lines, grids, and borders, this must-have resource takes you from the basics to beyond.

This volume, written by two experienced teachers of embroidery, shows how to gain mastery over your sewing machine and produce exactly the effect you want. Techniques include running stitch, zig zag, satin stitch, whip stitch, combined stitches and cable stitch.

Embroider a menagerie of 30 adorable animals! From a sweet giraffe to a sly little red fox, Animal Embroidery Workbook features step-by-step instructions and dozens of easy-to-use patterns to create embroidery hoops for all your favorite animals with charming floral details. Embroidery patterns range from simple to more complicated so there’s something for everyone to try! With a basic introduction on materials and supplies, essential techniques, and a guide to basic stitches, this embroidery book is filled with inspiration to further your embroidery skills!

Stumpwork is a highly decorative and imaginative embroidery technique, which typically uses raised and padded stitches that are rich in texture. This practical book explains how to create your own piece of stumpwork embroidery. Beginning with an introduction to the appropriate materials, equipment and tools, it instructs on a wide range of stitches and techniques, and illustrates them with ten delightful projects. It then explains how to design your own piece of stumpwork before advising on finishing, presenting and caring for you work. Written by a leading embroiderer, this beautiful book will inspire and encourage you to try this exciting technique and create your own exquisite designs. Contents include: Practical advice on working with threads, as well as how to stretch and prepare fabrics; Over 900 photographs to guide the reader through a wide range of decorative and raised stitches; Detailed instructions on combining stumpwork with a range of other techniques to create unique designs; Ten projects show how to use the stitches in designs, including stumpwork human figures. This practical guide will be of great interest to embroiderers, designers, theatre designers, interior designers and historians, and is beautifully illustrated with 983 colour photographs.

Embroidering with a sewing machine is exciting, immediate and affordable; this practical book shows you how to do it. Packed with encouraging advice, it introduces the sewing machine before explaining how to design, plan and make your own embroideries and turn them into finished items to treasure. Topics covered include: learning how to set up the machine and carry out basic cleaning and maintenance; discovering which thread types, fabrics and mixed media elements are most suitable for machine embroideries; exploring how to use the pressure foot to turn functional utility stitches into exciting surface decoration; working freely with dropped feeder teeth and an embroidery foot, and learning how to alter the tension to create different effects and finally, using soluble film to enhance your pictures, and stitch realistic thread paintings of landscape, animal and bird embroideries. With over 900 colour photographs and illustrations, it is the perfect companion for both those new to machine embroidery and those looking for new ideas and inspiration.