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Amica Daisy Ring - Carnival

£5.45

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Union Jack Bag Pattern

£2.00

What better way to show your dedication to British farmers, sheep and yarns than by making a union flag bag?! The red, white and blue really says everything you need it to say, but if you fancy being more individual play around with subtle or wacky colour and texture combinations. Felting is a fun way to transform soft yarns into practical accessories by just throwing them in the washing machine! Texere Troon Tweed is spun in oil, so knits very easily and totally changes when washed. Texere Airedale Aran is softer, without flecks and felts even easier. Try combining the two for unusual textures & effects.
This pattern has two designs included - red-white-blue & Green style bags
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Starbright Infinity - Creative Yarns - Emerald Jewels 03

£4.99

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White Rose Mohair - Swaledale (Lilac)

£3.35

100% made in Yorkshire
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Cashmerino Chunky by Debbie Bliss - 35 Blue

£3.90

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RRP £4.50 our price £3.90
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100 Flowers to Knit & Crochet by Lesley Stanfield

£10.99

Simply Knitting said, "Lesley Stanfield clearly has a keen eye for flowers, as they burst out from the pages of this pretty book. From forget-me-not to poinsettia and lily-of-the-valley to mistletoe, garden favourites and exotic blooms, you'll find everything you need to make a bright bouquet or a pretty wreath ? including leaves, a few friendly insects such as a ladybird and a bee, and even fruit and veg! Each of the 100 patterns has clear written instructions to either knit or crochet the item, and the crochet patterns are also charted, making it really easy to see how the flower is constructed. You'll find great ideas for how to use finished flowers in the back of the book.?
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Embroidery

Shop Sections | Books & Patterns | Embroidery

African Inspirations in Embroidery by Mary Sleigh
Mary Sleigh is a leading embroiderer with a lifelong love and understanding of African culture and landscape who has translated the many striking images of Africa into textile art, using embroidery, dyeing and quilting. From the dusky colours of the savannah to the traditional beadwork and pottery of African tribes, the author has used a variety of sources and techniques to produce stunning textiles. The book covers the original source material, the design process and the various techniques necessary to produce stunning final pieces, including dyeing with flour paste resist, seminie patchwork, piecing, patching, stitching, applique, roulleaux, drawn thread surface embellishment and mixed media. Beautifully illustrated with over 90 colour images, the book covers: The design process; Colour, from natural earth colours to the bright colours of African jewellery and body paint; Pattern, from stripes and zigzags to circles and triangles; Texture and surface, including ridges, raised surface, edges and surface additions; Case studies of work by leading textile artists; and an exercise project to get you started. £14.99

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Embroidered Jewellery by Shirley Anne Sherris
Embroidered Jewellery is a treasure trove of ideas and inspirations and explores a variety of materials in innovative and interesting ways. Just looking at the materials section of base fabrics and embellishments will fill you with awe. All types of jewellery from cuffs, collars, necklaces and earrings are included. Find out how to create unique jewellery using modern products such as Angelina fibre and Lazertran and discover uses for things you never thought of making jewellery from such as kebab skewers! Once you have learnt the techniques in this book, it's up to you to go for it and create your own unique pieces. The book has great attention to detail, excellent photography and good, clear instructions. £18.99

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Stitched Textile Collage by Lucille Toumi
Thirty creative textile projects that are suitable to be hung and framed. The book aims to inspire readers to look at the use of textiles as a medium for creating innovative graphic artwork. The projects combine appliqu‚ with patching, surface embellishment (with buttons, beads, trimmings and wire), knitting by hand and machine and hand embroidery techniques. The projects range from the very easy to those that will prove a bit more of a challenge. The book is filled with photos showing how different effects can be achieved. There are also suggestions on how to modify the projects in order to personalise them. Also included are discussions of materials, equipment and techniques which the maker will find useful. All in all, this is a book filled with imaginative projects which will work both as a source of inspiration and information. £16.99

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Surfaces for Stitch by Gwen Hedley
This is a book for embroiderers who are interested in developing new and exciting surfaces for stitch. In eight main sections, materials such as polythene and cellophane, as well as fibrous films, adhesive webbing, foams and puff paint, are combined with fabric and thread to provide innovative and inspirational work. The book covers various techniques including fusing and bonding, laminating and layering, manipulating and moulding 'recipe' format with clear step-by-step explanations of the various processes, ideas for further extending and developing skills and a 'Stitch Reference' section providing detailed guidance on the stitching techniques. £15.99

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Silk Paper for Textile Artists by Sarah Lawrence
Silk paper is an exciting technique that is becoming ever more popular with textile artists. The process consists of taking silk fibres and felting them together to make sheets of fabric. The result is a strong but delicate fabric which can be either thick and solid or almost transparently thin. This fabric can be used for a wide range of products - from scarves and jewellery to wall hangings and embellishments for skirts and blouses. The process is cheap, easy to do, non-hazardous, doesn't require much space or equipment, and the results can be very beautiful. This is an exciting process which textile artists can add to their repertoire. £16.99

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Mixed Media Exploartions by Beryl Taylor
With a sense of humor and creative abandon, renowned mixed-media artist Beryl Taylor shows you how easy it is to turn fabric, paper, stitch, and embellishment into artistic treasures to keep and share. Using her own art as examples, Beryl gives step-by-step instructions for making projects like greeting cards, wall hangings, and books, using the latest mixed-media products and techniques including embroidery stitches, etching, burning, metalic threads, paints, embed fibers, found objects and more. £18.99

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Make! by Cath Kidston
Here is a unique opportunity for all Cath Kidston fans to make their own projects and gifts using Cath's own motifs. Inspired by vintage prints found in car boot and jumble sales, and reinvented in cool modern colours, Cath Kidston's instantly recognisable designs are so popular that they feature on everything from mugs to tents. Whether your favourite is Stanley the dog, the sailing boat, cowboys or a floral, you will find them here as, for the first time, Cath is giving away 16 pattern templates of her favourite designs. Divided into chapters on different techniques ? stencilling, appliqu‚, embroidery and patchwork ? this exciting new book includes a collection of 30 projects (among them bags, cushions, clothes and stationery) as well as masses of extra ideas for how to use the patterns. The book ends with a section of basic sewing tips and techniques. The book features 16 templates and a kit including a free tote bag and project materials. £14.99

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Fusing Fabric by Margaret Beal
Armed with this book and a soldering iron you will discover how to cut, bond, seal, seam, score and make marks on single or multiple layers of synthetic fabric. The fine-tipped soldering iron is one of the most creative tools available to textile artists and embroiderers today. Acclaimed embroiderer Margaret Beal is a pioneer of these techniques and makes the processes simple, safe and straightforward, creating finished pieces that are beautiful in themselves or make unique surfaces for further stitching, whether by hand or machine. Building on the three basic techniques of mark-making, cutting and bonding, the book covers: Patterning with metal templates, Sealing items between fabrics, Scrunchy textures, Strips and fancy borders, Hollow 3-D shapes, Intricate patchwork patterns, Cutwork and applique techniques, Working with metal grid and wireform, Incorporating stencil film, foil and PVC ? wow! Once you start experimenting, you won't be able to stop! £14.99

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Hot Textiles by Kim Thittichai
An inspirational and practical guide to the potential of heat tools for textile artists. Soldering irons, heat guns and household irons can be used in a myriad of ways - from adding texture and variety to textile work to creating impressive three-dimensional vessels. This important book for textile artists is illustrated throughout with the author's renowned work and inspiring pieces by other leading textile artists. From free-standing, highly textured vessels, to exquisitely formed beads and beautiful embellishment, this is the ultimate guide for anyone who wants to take their work to another level. Burn, layer, melt, distort and shape a range of exciting materials with heat tools to create beautiful textiles - whether for textured embellishment or to form stunning three-dimensional vessels. Easy-to-follow instructions and creative techniques for using simple equipment such as household irons, heat guns and soldering irons. Innovative ideas for using Bondaweb, Lutradur, Tyvek and Pelmet Vilene, as well as salvaged materials such as plastic shopping bags, cellophane and fabrics. Illustrated throughout with inspiring examples from textile artists working in the field, this beautiful guide is ideal for anyone wishing to experiment and develop their work further. £18.99

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From Image to Stitch by Maggie Grey
An essential book for all textile artists who want to add more design and originality to their work. The latest book from one of the world's leading textile artists and authors on designing for textiles, written especially for those with limited art training and drawing skills. From Image to Stitch takes a range of techniques ? that don't include drawing ? for design development, such as using computers (quite simple programs), digital cameras and images, photocopiers, tracing paper and copyright-free design books, and shows you how to make the most of them when designing textiles (especially with the photo transfer to fabric methods). Examples of the design process with a range of full finished textile pieces help guide and inspire. The book is divided into four sections, each concentrating on an area os study: form in nature; landscape; travel; and ethnic sources. Suggestions for researching in each of these fields is given, and then how to translate the research and images into design and finished textiles. Of course the designs and transferred images will be embellished by hand and machine stitching, felting, appliqu‚ and mixed media techniques ? all explained step-by-step. £18.99

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The Encyclopedia of Machine Embroidery by Val Holmes
Sewing World said, "Those who missed this excellent title the first time around will be pleased to learn that it has been newly published in paperback. It is a particularly good reference book as it comprehensively covers both freehand and computerised embroidery techniques. Presented in an A-Z format it provides a wealth of information on machines, materials, accessories, fabrics, threads, software and creative techniques available to today's embroiderer. There are lots of ideas to try out with full instructions and illustrations, plus useful cross references to similar materials and associated techniques. This is a particularly inspiring book with close up photos throughout showing some amazing pieces by leading textile artists and each is accompanied by a description of the methods and materials used to create the designs. The book has been updated to take account of recent developments in machines and materials and this is included in the appendix. An ideal choice for embroiderers of all levels of expertise." £14.99

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Freestyle Machine Embroidery by Carol Shinn
This comprehensive guide takes you from the basics of the stitching process to using color and texture creatively in your design to professionally finishing a project. Explore the possibilities of freestyle machine embroidery and its application for quilting and fibre art with this technique and inspiration guide for all skill levels. Freestyle Machine Embroidery reviews all the basic methods and stitches for each technique, with step-by-step photographs and illustrations from start to finish. Regardless of skill level, Freestyle Machine Embroidery is an indispensable guide for every textile artist's personal library. £19.99

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Embellish, Stitch, Felt by Sheila Smith
This book presents new felting techniques ideal for textile artists. It covers the new dry felting techniques with the hand needle punch and the hugely popular new embellishing machines. These mess-free techniques open up a range of felts ideal for textile artists. The book also covers the use of commercial needle punch felt for fashion and design. And of course, it provides a range of decorative stitching and dyeing methods that can be used to embellish the felt. Colourfully illustrated with inspirational textiles, plus clear step-by-step instructions, the book covers: dry needle felting - from hand needle punch, through embellisher machine felt to ready-made commercial needle punch felt; felted fashion - covering felt mixed with fabric, nuno felt to make scarves and bags; stitching and felt - including smocking, beads and faux chenille; and basic felting techniques. The book features new techniques that are much sought after in the textile world; fashion application for scarves and bags; and embellishment ideas for felt suitable for all textile artists. £18.99

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Creative Recycling by Val Holmes
Recycling is one of the hottest new trends in embroidery, and this is the first book to cover it. Embroiderers recycle for many different reasons: to conserve old pieces of ephemera for the future, to give their work a personal touch, to convey meaning, or simply for economy. Covering both hand and machine embroidery, this book is packed with ideas for using many different types of salvaged material, such as fabric, paper, nature's materials including dried flowers and tree bark, plus plastic, wood and metal waste, and precious personal objects such as broken jewellery or special souvenirs. Illustrated in colour throughout with work from the world's leading contemporary embroiderers, the book covers: Introduction: Why recycle?, How to collect salvaged objects, Finding your own meaning, Fibre waste, Fabric waste, Recycling old embroidery, Paper and natural waste, Plastic waste, Wood, metal and mineral waste & Packaging and books. Get digging through your stash of fabrics and your recycling bins and have fun! £18.99

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Start to Embroider by Claire Buckley
This is the perfect book for young beginners in embroidery. Claire Buckley shows you how to make and embroider cushions, bags and journal covers. Easy instructions and step-by-step photographs show you how to be creative and there is a super gallery of stitches and embellishments. If you have a young member in your family who is keen on picking up a needle, then this would be an ideal book to get them started. Packed with creative ideas, their imaginations will be able to run riot.? £6.99

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Beginner's Guide to Machine Embroidery by Pam Watts
Moving from hand to machine embroidery can seem a bit daunting, but having a book like this to show you how to tackle different techniques and get the most from your sewing machien is essential. 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. £8.95

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Beginner's Guide to Machine Embroidered Flowers by Alison Holt
Sewing World said, "Alison's stunning machine embroidered flowers look so lifelike it almost seems possible to pick them off the page. This is a brilliant book for those who enjoy free-motion embroidery as it guides the reader through the process of realistically interpreting natural subjects with stitches. It includes all the basics, and there's a particularly good section showing which stitch techniques work best for various types of flowers and foliage. The book includes many examples of Alison's exquisitely worked designs, followed by three masterclass projects where readers can follow her methods as a starting point for creating their own unique embroideries.? £9.99

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Beginner's Guide to Machine Embroidered Landscapes by Alison Holt
Karen Platt says, ?The world of machine embroidery is bewildering. Where do you begin? I would personally reach out for Alison Holt's books. Why Alison? Not only does she have a thorough grounding of sewing machines and how to use them for painting with thread, but she also has a love and knowledge of flowers and plants that comes through in her exquisite work. In this book she gives a basic introduction to equipment for machine embroidery including choosing threads and for silk painting. She also discusses design and using photographs, colour and painting a background fabric. This fabulous book encourages the machine embroiderer to experiment with different stitches to achieve the effect they want. There are three complete step-by-step embroideries to complete. This 80-page book is a tremendous beginner's guide to its subject. With lots of practice, you should be able to complete the projects. £8.95

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Machine Embroidered Woodlands by Alison Holt
Following on from Alison's first two "Beginner's Guide to..." here is another gorgeous book showing you just what an amazing tool the sewing machine is. Sewing World said, "The exquisite detail in Alison's embroideries makes them look as realistic as a photograph and this latest title featuring woodland scenes is no exception. Using nothing more than straight and zigzag stitches on a sewing machine combined with a little silk painting ? she demonstrates how to create some amazing masterpieces that are highly rich in colour and texture. Starting with the basics of materials and equipment, she clearly explains each step of the process from planning the design, achieving perspective and starting to stitch. There are useful sections on composition and working with photographs plus techniques for selecting colours and achieving light and shade. The stitch section is particularly helpful with examples of machine stitches to create the look of foliage, tree bark and wild flowers. Four projects follow, one for each season, showing step-by-step the techniques used by Alison to build up the design from initial photograph to finished embroidery. This super title is a must for anyone who enjoys free machine embroidery." £9.99

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Paper, Metal & Stitch
Maggie Grey & Jane Wild - With the range of surfaces for embroidery increasing, this is a timely book that concentrates on two of the major new materials now used in textiles: paper and metal.
Lavishly illustrated with over 120 photographs, plus clear diagrams and detailed instructions. Alll you need is enthusiasm and a swing-needle sewing machine to start producing stunning pieces.
The book is divided into two main section beginning with paper. It can be used as a base for a variety of techniques and also to enchance and embellish work. Handmade and purchased papers can be manipulated, cut, torn, stitched and moulded into any shape or form. You can add colour, texture and metallic effects.
The second section is metal. Metal has long been associated with stitch in the form of metal thread embroidery, but new sources of metal are available, such as metal shim, glttering metal meshes, wires and coils, beads and foils and recycled domestic metals.
The final section is about putting it all together and stitch is the ultimate enhancer for combining elements of paper and metal to produce finished stitched pieces - books, panels, icons and frames. Products very similar to our wire spools and coils and metal meshes are all featured in this book. £17.99

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Handmade Embroidered Bags by Jenny Rolfe
There is nothing quite like owning a stylish, unique handmade bag that you have created yourself. Jenny Rolfe has used quilting and free machine embroidery techniques to create a stunning collection of bags for all occasions. All the techniques are explained fully, including how to make your own fabrics and cords to give your bags that really personal touch. The fabrics used include cottons, silks and felts, as well as the more exotic metallic organza, chiffon, velvet and netting. Variegated and metallic machine threads add texture, and the bags are futher embellished with beads, sequins, shisha mirrors and wire in various colours. Detailed step-by-step photographs accompany easy-to-follow text, and a sequence of projects illustrate how to construct, decorate and complete a range of different-shaped bags - one for every style and occasion. £9.99

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Handmade Embroiderd Purses by Jenny Rolfe
Following the success of Handmade Embroidered Bags this second book is tackling purses. Sewing World said, "This super book provides a great introduction to quilting and free machine embroidery techniques while making some lovely purses in the process. Six basic designs are included for dainty evening bags that are large enough to carry a few essentials whilst displaying some creative needlework. Variations throughout provide further inspiration for decorative stitching and embellishment. This is a great 'learning' book as each design incorporates a number of techniques including stippling, couching, beading and appliqu‚. There are exercises on free machine stitching to help the reader practise their skills and a very useful section on making original fabrics using simple techniques such as weaving and bondable fibres. Close up photographs and clear instructions make this an easy guide to use and it is good starting point for those who would like to develop their sewing skills into more creative areas.? £9.99

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Beginner's Guide to Embroidered Boxes by Janet Edmonds
Inspired by the elaborately decorated boxes and caskets of centuries gone by, Janet Edmonds shows how to create a beautiful collection of richly stitched boxes using a combination of machine and hand embroidery. The author's exquisite boxes are constructed simply by machine stitching layers of fabric together. She then layers, blends and enriches the surfaces using lustrous threads, goldwork, random stitching, complementary fabrics, metals, wire, beads and stamped images. Handmade cords, braids and tassels complete the designs, which glow with the richness of their decoration. This lavishly illustrated book is packed with detailed information on all the techniques - from the original design ideas right through to the final embellishments. Detailed step-by-step photographs accompany easy-to-follow text, and a sequence of projects illustrate how to construct, decorate and complete a range of different-shaped boxes - from small rectangles to pentagons and chests. £8.95

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The Art of Embroidered Flowers by Gilda Baron
Gilda Baron combines her love of nature and skills as a textile artist and embroiderer in this inspirational and innovative step-by-step guide. Using painted and dyed backgrounds, and hand and machine embroidery, she presents a wonderful variety of three dimensional landscape and flower embroideries. A number of techniques are employed when applying colour to the fabric including batik, salt discharge and brushing dye into a wet surface. Beautiful pictures are then stitched and built up over the background in easy stages. The feeling of perspective is enhanced by the clever use of scale and colour, and all the techniques are explained clearly and demonstrated in a series of stunning projects. This original book is packed with practical advice and information. Anyone interested in pattern, texture and colour will discover a wealth of inspiration when they work through the projects. Gilda's highly individual designs will encourage beginners and more experienced embroiderers to create their own embroidered flower designs. £9.99

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Location, Location
Book 21 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
Another fabulous new book where this time the authors are focussing on location and it is hoped that being more aware of your location and taking advantage of some unexpected fetaures will enrich your work.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
The authors discuss a classic "learning to look". But this really is important and can produce amazing results. Other chapters include setting out, off to Alaska, postcards from, and reaching home.
They also look at other sketchbook themes that have been suggested by friends and colleagues. Walking before you can run is one of their constant pleas and looking at spots and stripes, walls, gaps and holes takes the mystique away and allows for fabulous colours, patterns and textures to emerge for a range of future projects. £7.50

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Seeing Double
Book 22 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
A brand new book which sees Jan and Jean discussing the search for ideas by developing personal themes. They work independantly, but also experience places together and understand each other's different working practice. It's all about new work and where the inspiration comes from and shows that you can be a successful textile artist and still sometimes struggle for ideas. So it's a perfect book to kick start your design work and looking at landscapes both close to home and far away, using sketchbooks and photography are the perfect ways to give your design work a boost.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
Jean examines pathways near her home, how the shapes and patterns influence her designs. Also a pathway theme was emerging through her interest in carpets from different cultures. Combining these two ideas and revisiting notebooks and sketchbooks gave her a new challenge that she had been missing.
Jan also has lots of inspirational landscapes near her home, but also relishes travelling to Australia and both designers include Greece and Australian influenced pieces in the book. £7.50

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Colour Explorations
Book 15 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
In book Jan and Jean explore the vast subject of colour and choose yellow and purple as feature colours to show how effective working with complementary colours can be.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
With sketchbook illustrations by both authors you are led through chapters of yellow and related themes of organic decay, rust and decay, then purple with floral themes along with what happens when yellow and purple meet as well as observational drawing and still life drawing.
There isn't one particular technique or method of stitching in this book, rather you are shown how to look at colours and explore the relationship between complementray colours and how they can influence your work and designs. £7.50

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Bags with Paper & Stitch
Isobel Hall has written a guide to making exquisite, yet fully functional embroidered bags, made from handmade and ready made silk paper with print, stitching and beading.
There are a wealth of ideas to inspire you to make your own examples including using silk fibres and cocoon strippings to make the softest handmade paper and how to create the author's distressed look.
Expert advice on adding texture and creative embellishment; using unusual materials and innovative products, plus ingenious ways to use found objects as handles and fastenings.
Every aspect of the bag-making process is covered, from construction and making your own papers to stunning embellishments, handles and clasps. Over 15 projects are included with dozens of innovative techniques and ideas all described in detail with step-by-step instructions.
Illustrated throughout with stunning examples of the author's work and with full instructions on all the techniques, this book is ideal for embroiderers and textile artists who are fascinated by bags and other 3D pieces. Isobel was at Aly Paly in October with her beautiful bags and she directed so many people to us that we sold out of cocoon strippings. Is hard to believe that a bag of such ordinary looking fibres can be tranformed into such amazing pieces of art. £18.99

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Embellish & Enrich
Book 20 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
In this book the authors look at producing surfaces that are multi-layered and richly extravagent, by using stitches, beads and an embellishing machine.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
Embellishing machines are discussed and you are given ideas of how to use them and what you can do with them by using layers of fabric and fibres.
Although the main thrust of this book is how to get the most from your embellisher it also shows you how to create worn and distressed surfaces, holes and layers by using your sewing machine as well as being packed with ideas and inspiration. £7.50

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Red
Book 19 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
In this book Jan and Jean take red as their main focus and explore its symbolism, mythical influences and power through a series of embroideries, sketches and patterns.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
The authors examine red as a warning such as traffic lights, red in nature from pomengranates to the Red Centre of Australia, warm and cold reds and the family of reds.
This is one of their books where they are encouraging you to look and seek out inspiration for your work and think about the meaning of a subject matter - whether this is a red carpet or a red rose. Of course the theory also applies to any other colour you like, but red has so many meanings that it was what I based my final degree show on, so it has a personal resonance for me as well! £7.50

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Stitch Dissolve Distort with Machine Embroidery
Valerie Campbell-Harding & Maggie Grey - Exciting ways to stitch, dissolve, melt and distort fabric, both before and after stitching with leading textile artist Maggie Grey and the much missed Valerie Campbell-Harding.
The authors look at the variety of imaginative stitching that can be produced using the sewing machine.
With wonderful colour photography of samples and finished pieces, easy-to-follow instructions, design tips and diagrams you'll be itching to get started.
Section one covers ways of working with stitch, using both free stitching and distorted automatic patterns. Section two explains water-soluble materials, such as films, fabrics and papers and how to combine with stitch for stunning effects and finally Section three explores how to distort the fabric by melting, stitching, using meshes and tools, combined with techniques to create dramatic shapes.
This is an important book for all textile artists, especially those who want to make the most of new and wonderful materials, tools and techniques that can dissolve, melt and distort a fabric, but ensure that "stitch" is a central part of their work. Our dissolvable Aquatics range are perfect products to use with this book. £18.99

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Raising the Surface
Maggie Grey - A stunning book by the former editor of "World of Embroidery" Magazine.
Exciting, innovative and state-of-the-art machine embroidery for everyone who is fascinated by texture in embroidery.
Lavishly illustrated with over 90 colour photographs plus clear diagrams and detailed instructions.
The book guides you from making backgrounds, to low-relief stitching and continues through to the application of various media to raise the surface to make masks, frames and 3D vessels and items.
Any modern sewing machine will do all the stitching suggested. £15.99

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Layers of Stitch in Contemporary Machine Embroidery
Valerie Camphill-Harding & Maggie Grey - Stunning machine embroidery is illustrated in this fantastic book from two of the most accomplished writers on the subject.
The variety of materials used brings a mixed media element to the book and encourages readers to find new ways of stitching to create rich embroidered surfaces.
Lavishly illustrated with clear step-by-step instructions in each chapter.
The book covers making backgrounds with dyes, paints, stencils, applique and stitches. Combining these with motifs and slips to make finished items including designing, layering and making 3d shapes.
Any modern sewing machine can be used, but one including patterns and memory functions will increase the potential enormously. £15.99

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Seductive Surfaces
Book 18 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
In this book you are invited to be seduced by and to create seductive stitched fabrics and surfaces using traditional and modern products and techniques.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
As usual the authors show their own photography and sketchbook pages to illustrate how they build up stitched samples from their primary sources and designs. Chapters include building surfaces with buttonholes, interpreting surfaces with stitches, revisting velvet, using thick and thin fabrics, fading and decay, integrating surfaces, 3d effects and continuing with the jewellery theme.
You could use almost any threads and products to create seductive surfaces including glitter, velvet, ribbons, wire, silk and many fancy, soft and shimmery knitting yarns. £7.50

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Grids to Stitch
Book 17 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
In this book Jan and Jean explore and examine grids including day to day grids in architecture as well as organic structures and shows how they can be used as a design source.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
As usual the authors show their own photography and sketchbook pages to illustrate how they take primary sources through to stitched samples. Chapters include using soluble fabric, inspiration from jewellery, buildings and pathways, organic grids, distortion and embellishment.
Try using our dissolvable fabric for some of the techniques shown in the first chapter, and Jan and Jean have also used our metal meshes which naturally already have a grid structure and are ideal to stitch and weave into. £7.50

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Over the Line
Couching Rediscovered. Book 16 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
In this book Jan and Jean show how effective and fabulous couching as a stitch can be in hand and machine embroidery.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
The chapters include mixed media couching, how certain subjects such as natural forms, water and landscapes can be used as a theme as well as different types of couching including Bokhara and Romanian couching.
This book really shows how you can use almost anything within embroidery to achieve the desired effect if you know the right stitch in the first place. Many of our yarns are thick and textured and couldn't be pulled through canvas or fabric, but couching them down is an excellent and highly versatile way of working with them. Many of the entries in our Variety Bag competition were made by couching.
£7.50

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Connections
Book 14 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
Links, Joins & Networks. In this book Jan and Jean explore the notion of connections in relation to fabrics, threads, ideas and inspirations.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
The authors begin with primitive joinings and how resourceful early people had to be without modern materials. The following chapters include lacing, seams, knots & structures, knotting & knitting, seaside connections and connecting landscapes.
Many of our yarns and dissolvable fabrics can be used in conjunction with this book. You could also try our new range of wires as illustrated in the knitting section creating structures knitted on huge needles. £7.50

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No Stone Unturned
Book 13 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
In a similar way to "Trees as a Theme" and "Gardens & More" Jan and Jean are taking a highly versatile subject matter and transforming it into embroidery.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
You are led through their design process beginning with looking at stones and rocks and recording your information moving through chapters including resist dyeing and transfer painting, erosion, holes & fissures, fossils, ridges, layers, bumps and dimensions.
Once again there isn't one particular technique or method of stitching shown in this book, rather you are shown how to take a subject matter and transform it into embroidery. £7.50

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A Sketch in Time
Book 12 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
In this book Jan and Jean show how essential sketchbooks are as a tool for textile artists.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
They illustrate that there are no right or wrong ways to use sketchbooks, but show how useful they are in chapters including mark making with pencils, mark making using unconventional materials, landscapes, colour, collage, mixed media, on location and more.
This is a totally non-stitching book, but Jan and Jean's extensive sketches and mark marking show how to transform primary images into three dimensions, designs and embroidery. £7.50

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A Tale of Two Stitches
Book 11 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
In this book Jan and Jean show how effective hand embroidery can be by exploring two specific stitches - sorbello and lock stitch.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
You are shown how to work with the stitches independantly and also ways of cleverly combining them. Chapters include inspiration & interpretation, rhythmic stitched surfaces and structures & distortions.
Many of our yarns are featured in this book including Good Fortune, Glitter Tape, Prism, Glitter, Vision, Picasso and Extra Thick Chinese Silk and many textured yarns all excellent for creative couching and embroidery. £7.50

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Double Vision
Personal Approaches to Work. Book 10 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
A question embroiderers and artists often get asked is, "Where do you get your inspiration from?" This book shows you how Jan and Jean take an idea and work it through into a finished piece.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
The chapters are written alternatively by Jan or Jean showing their individual approaches. Chapters include methods & helpful tips, visual diaries & notebooks, working with fabric & thread andmany others.
Once again there isn't one particular technique or method of stitching shown in this book, rather you are shown how to take a subject matter and transform it into embroidery. £7.50

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New Dimensions
Hand and Machine Embroidery. Book 9 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
In this book Jan and Jean show how to use machine embroidery and hand embroidery to create dramatically different effects.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
You are shown how to create vigorous and dimensional surfaces as well as subtle and fragile effects. Jan and Jean both give you detailed guidelines for machine stitches and hand stitches showing their different approaches.
Many of our yarns are featured in this book including Vision ribbon, spun silks, bourette silks and many textured yarns such as Variety Bags, all excellent for creative couching and embroidery. £7.50

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Giving Pleasure
Book 8 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
A different book from Jan and Jean here, showing creative gift making ideas using embroidery as the basis.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
The chapters are split into using popular shapes and patterns in your work such as squares, hearts, strips and stripes, flowers and rocks, plus silver and gold, along with gifts for celebrations and creative wrapping ideas.
Once again there isn't one particular technique or method of stitching in this book, rather you are shown how to take a subject matter and transform it into embroidery, gifts and cards using Jan and Jean's colourful and decorative ideas. £5.86

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Trees as a Theme
Book 7 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
Once again Jan and Jean show how influential a particular object or theme can be in embroidery and textile designs, this time trees.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
You are led through their design process beginning with looking at trees and recording your information moving through chapters including textural and dimensional surfaces, capturing the mood, velvet trees, stylising patterns and leaves to inspire.
There isn't one particular technique or method of stitching in this book, rather you are shown how to take a subject matter and transform it into embroidery using Jan and Jean's colourful and decorative sketches and advice. Why not try using some of our multi-coloured Natesh embroidery threads to create a natural bark or leaf effect without having to change threads!!
£7.50

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Conversations with Constance
A celebration of the life of Constance Howard MBE Book 6 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
A different book here by Jan and Jean where they look at the life and work of Constance Howard, one of the foremost pioneers of creative embroidery in Britain in the 20th century.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout.
You are guided through Constance's creative life from hating embroidery at school to her time at The Royal College of Art, Cardiff Art School and Goldsmiths.
The authors spent many occasions with Constance and gleaned an insight into her life and work through these special meetings. There are illustrations of her work over the years, images of Constance at work in her studio and photos spanning the length of her remarkable life.
£7.50

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Gardens & More
Book 5 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
In this book Jan and Jean show how influential gardens and flowers can be in embroidery and textile designs.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
You are led through their design process and then shown how to use gardens in chapters such as stitching a flower or leaf, damage and decay, the vegetable patch, flights of fancy and more.
There isn't one particular technique or method of stitching in this book, rather you are shown how to take a subject matter and transform it into embroidery using Jan and Jean's colourful and decorative sketches and advice. Why not try using some of our multi-coloured Natesh embroidery threads to create a natural floral effect without having to change threads!! £7.50

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Transfer to Transform
Book 4 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
In this book Jan and Jean introduce colour through transfer paints and explore new and experimental ideas.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
You are introduced to transfer paints and what their main uses are as well as chapters covering the best types of paper and fabric to use, colour mixing, resists, discharge, printing, layering, stitching and more.
Our viscose velvet is a perfect fabric to be painted and transferred onto. £7.50

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Bonding & Beyond
Book 3 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
In this book Jan and Jean examine the versatility of bonding fabrics together for experimental creative embroidery.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
You are introduced to basic bonding methods as well as chapters including recycling, trapping and layering, bonding and building with colour, bonded beads and brooches and mixed media bonding.
Our transferable adhesive is the perfect bonding material to create the effects in this book. £7.50

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Voluptuous Velvet
Book 2 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
In this book Jean explores the wide range of applications using this versatile and luxurious fabric.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
Jean shows how to dye and print velvet plus chapters including discharge, devore, burning, bonding, applique and embellsihment.
Try using our undyed viscose velvet or our velvet offcuts together with this book. £7.50

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Vanishing Act
Machine Embroidery on Soluble Fabrics - Book 1 in an inspirational series of creative embroidery books by Double Trouble - Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn.
In this book Jan looks at a wide range of techniques using soluble fabrics to create wonderful embroidery and stitch effects.
Beautiful colour photographs throughout including detailed close-ups.
Jan clearly introduces the embroiderer to the types of fabric available, threads, needles and machines to use, the dissolving process as well as chapters on free machining, fabric construction, edges, cords, decorative additions and beads.
Our Aquasol dissovable fabric range can all be used in conjunction with the techniques in this book. £7.50

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