Embroidery Books come in many flavors and contain a wealth of kindly instruction and inspiration. Consider how beadwork is enhanced by a foundation in basic stitchery, how certain stitches lend themselves to Bead Embroidery, and how other techniques can be combined with beads. Perhaps you will invent your own style and leave a path for the rest of us!
Consider also how needlework inspires. Artists that stitch do stunning work from painting with thread to quilting magic. Traditional stitches are a foundation on which to build. New ideas with older concepts, mixing media, using wonderful threads and silk ribbons, why not also add beads? Their are many wonderful texts, these are some favorites.
Goldwork
(revised and expaned edition) Goldwork kits modeled from the projects from the Royal School of Needlework book are available from
Berlinembroidery.com a wonderful website!
Metallic Thread Embroidery
The
Kreinik website
describes all their threads. Stitch Magazine
not a book, but a wonderful publication from the UK’s Embroiderer’s Guild. They have quite a generous website with articles and projects from their magazine. See their creative
Goldwork
Embroidery Illusions
What author Gary Clarke does with mounted, layered embroidery on sheer fabrics is a visual feast. It reminded me of fashion designer, Koko Beale’s organza "capture" work in it's visual illusion. Gary Clarke's book is about a mounted needlework presentation (not clothing), but he can open a world of ideas for embroidery on sheer fabrics. Painting with a Needle
is a gloriously illustrated book, and includes stitch lessons from master embroiderer Young Yang Chung.
Threads of Lights
is not a techniques book but a review of exquisite Chinese Embroidery from Suzhou with the photography of Robert Glenn Ketchum. UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History
Textile Series, No. 3
Haute Couture Embroidery: The Art of Lesage
A magnificent picture book (not how-to technique) but if you’re contemplating using feathers, beads, sequins, silk ribbon, cording, floss, bullion, fine metallic threads, jewels or rhinestones in a new and inventive way and just need a jump-start, its in this book. The School of Lesage
is in Paris, France and trains both amateurs and fashion professionals. Beginners and more experienced embroiderers receive personal teaching from the very best embroidery professionals. It is wonderful that excellent institutions such as the Lesage School and the Royal Academy of Needlework offer short term classes at all levels. If your not familar,
read about François Lesage
enjoy the fantastic examples in his book, and take a stitchery vacation in Paris, France!
Books on Bead Embroidery, Wearable Art, Fitting the Figure, Surface Design are all part of a beads-fiber-fabric artist's library.
