Beginner's Guide to Embroidered Boxes

by Janet Edmonds

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. Hand made 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.

80 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

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Reviews

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow this is photo heavy which is great. The table of contents is a photo of a sample of the stitch. Then there's a further word table of contents at the beginning of each section.

The book is divided into sections based on type of stitch. I confess there a couple of sections I don't understand the title of like as "Powdered Filling and Isolated Stitches," and "Looped and Needlepoint Stitches," but I appreciate that there are more sections than usual because there are more stitches than usual.

The actual instructions for the stitches are great with excellent photos as well. On top of that, there is a sidebar with information about how easy the stitch is, other names for it, uses for the stitch, and the materials appropriate for the stitch.

There's a lot of good information in the front as well, such as the difference between evenweave and plainweave fabric and how to use a skein of floss.

There aren't any projects but that makes sense for a reference book. It's nice and compact and yet covers over 200 stitches. I really like this one and intend to purchase it.