Helen M. Stevens' Embroidered Flowers (The Masterclass Embroidery Series)

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A master class, by its very name, infers that a professional of no mean accomplishment is by your side, guiding and directing and correcting your work. Although the much-published Stevens, author of Myth and Magic of Embroidery (1999) and Timeless Art of Embroidery (1997), seems sincere in her intent, her efforts somehow fall short of measure. Far too many words are used to describe five different scenarios: fields and meadows, cottage garden, waysides, woodland glades, and the riverside. And although the five projects are well documented and well explained, from the ready-to-transfer templates to the upfront notation of stitches, stitchers are left wanting--a personal stitch-by-stitch documentary, actual illustration of techniques, and so on. Nonetheless, these are impressive lessons from an impressive teacher. A list of suppliers is appended. Barbara Jacobs
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Share the secrets of talented artist Helen M. Stevens as she reveals how you can recreate the splendour of nature in your embroideries.Embroidered Flowers, the first title in the Masterclass Embroidery Series, provides a fascinating insight to the beauty of flowers in all their different habitats with step-by-step advice on how to create your own embroidered floral studies. In five fascinating chapters Helen explores a variety of flowers united by a shared habitat from the now rare treasures of the wildflower meadow - poppies, mallows and cornflowers - to the rambling roses, tall foxgloves and evening primroses of the traditional cottage garden. Each chapter culminates in a masterclass project: a colour template is provided for five original designs ranging in difficulty from simple poppy heads to the more elegant lines of the flat iris. Easy to follow step-by-step colour photographs illustrate the working, in progress, of the designs to ensure that perfect results are achievable. Finally a basic technique section gives valuable advice on choosing threads and fabrics, the transfer of templates, guidance on silk shading and the working of all Helen's most popular stitches, to guarantee that this becomes the essential guide to creating embroidered floral portraits. Helen M Stevens' embroidered pictures are now held in collections all over the world. Her five previous books, along with the three 'Masterclass' titles have ensured a dedicated following both at home and abroad. A writer and broadcaster, Helen is a member of the Society of Women Artists, one of three textile artists to be so honoured. The commission she received from the House of Commons remains the only textile piece to have become part of the Palace of Westminster Collection. Helen lives in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk.


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