The A-Z of Thread Painting by Search Press focuses on creating embroideries using long and short stitch as the main feature.
Technically referred to as silk shading, this technique can create almost photographic rendition of an object using embroidery cotton or silk.
The A-Z of Thread Painting contains twenty six embroidery projects, eight of which can be worked using the basic tutorials at the start of the book.
Eighteen of the designs assume that the embroiderer already has intermediate to advanced embroidery skills including knowledge of Goldwork.
Whilst there is something in this book for all skill levels, for the beginner, we would recommend the A-Z of Crewel Embroidery or the RSN Stitch Guide to Crewel Embroidery first in order to become familiar with the required stitches.
Concise instructions supported by clear photographs are included for nine of the beginner level stitch techniques required but there are 20 stitch techniques used in the majority of the designs for which there are no tutorials, hence the need for a supporting text or prior knowledge.
A couple of the projects will take you step by step through the process of building the image. A very useful feature for those who have never attempted silk shading before.
The A-Z of Thread Painting has a rather misleading subtitle of “Ultimate Resource”.
With the majority of the designs having no supporting stitch tutorials or basic instruction as to the use of different threads and framing techniques, it is a long way from fulfilling it’s brief.
This will be a useful book for a fairly experienced embroiderer looking for new designs or projects to challenge them.
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