Quilting For You
Aug/Sept 2014
The joy of working with a Jacobean shape is a blank canvas waiting to be filled and this book brings it into the modern day. All designs are embroidered on cotton, linen, taffeta and silk using only cotton, rayon and metallic threads, breads and crystals. There is an extensive stitch gallery with very clear illustrations including needle weaving and needle lace techniques, also a very comprehensive section on useful tips, materials, tools and a buyer's guide. All patterns are printed at the rear of the book. There are seven sumptuous Jacobean panels to choose from, one transformed into a rectangular clock face and another mounted in a musical box. This book is wonderful to follow-up to Hazel's earlier book 'Crewel Twists'.
Inspirations Magazine
January 2015
Hazel is back with another collection of stunning Jacobean inspired designs stitched using her unique combinations of surface embroidery, beading, needle lace and needle weaving techniques. Despite the very obvious influence of traditional crewel work, as she says in her introduction, "Not a shred of wool has been used..." Wool there may not be but there is certainly a rainbow of stranded cottons, perle, special dentelles, rayon, metallic threads, rhinestones ad beads used in the seven superb projects that are contained within this book. Comprehensive information is given as to equipment plus fabric and thread requirements and an extensive stitch glossary is illustrated with clear diagrams. Each project is presented in an excellent user-friendly manner with concise written instruction plus clear photographs of each stitching process that are easy to understand and follow.
Beautiful projects, an exciting array of stitches and great instructions make this book a perfect package.
Merseyside Embroiderer's Guild (megonline.co.uk)
November 2014
Using only cotton, rayon and metallic threads, along with beads and crystals, the designs in this book are embroidered onto cotton, linen, taffeta and silk. The techniques, while making full use of crewel embroidery stitches, borrow extensively from other styles and other needlecrafts. Needle lace, Brazilian and Bead embroidery, Stumpwork and Loom Weaving methods have been incorporated into the embroidery that fills th Jacobean shapes in all of the designs.
Every project is clearly explained with step-by-step instructions and lots of photographs, and the completed embroideries are displayed in ways that are both decorative and functional in the home. Templates of the original designs complete this magnificent resource for creative hand embroidery, which shows you how to take Jacobean or Crewel embroidery into the 21st century.
East Kent Embroiderer's Guild
September/October 2014
Anyone who loves hand embroidery will adore this new book which presents a collection of seven satisfying projects using crewel work. All fabrics and threads required for each project are listed in detail and are accompanied by full, highly detailed instructions. Although the designs do need to be photocopied to size, these are projects to be enjoyed over a period of time, producing exquisite pieces of work worthy of heirloom status.
NEW STITCHES
Aug 2014
Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Crewelwork with this inspirational new book from Hazel Blomkamp. Traditional Jacobean motifs are given a modern twist with contemporary colourways and a touch of sparkle with crystals and beads. Conveniently, all of the designs are worked with stranded cotton and not crewel wool which gives a finer and more delicate effect. The seven projects are presented as step by step guide with each component of the design approached in manageable chunks. All the stitches and types of fabric are introduced with plenty of information and in an engaging style. The techniques include needleweaving and needle lace which all add an extra level of detail to the designs. Lovers of Crewelwork will snap this up for its designs and refreshing approach while beginners will be inspired to try this rewarding, non-counted technique.
Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts
June 14
What intent! Another masterstroke from the talented hands of Hazel Blomkamp, following on from her success with Crewel Twist. Lovely fresh ideas and designs for Jacobean crewel embroidery. This contemporary take on crewel work borrows from other embroidery styles too. Clear instructions and photos. It includes everything you need ot know to get started and a good stitch directory. Thee are seven projects. A wonderful book that I am happy to recommend to all stitchers.
Mary Corbet's Needle 'n' Thread
June 14
Hazel Blomkamp has done it again! If you fell in love with Crewel Twists, Hazels first book published in 2012, youre going to love her new book, Crewel Intentions, too! In Crewel Twists, Hazel introduced us to her unique and colorful approach to surface embroidery. Incorporating beads, a huge variety of stitches and filling techniques and various types of threads, her embroidery designs are Jacobean flavored with a decidedly signature look to them. She carries this forward in Crewel Intentions by combining the same approaches found in Crewel Twists, with a few new twists! Hazels designs have a contemporary Jacobean flair. Theyre colorful and textured and they incorporate all kinds of stitches. These are the types of embroidery projects you just cant get bored with while stitching, because theres so much fun stuff going on in them, some of which can be totally surprising. And yet, they come together in a beautiful, cohesive whole. Hazels tips are good, matter-of-fact, full of common sense, and sometimes, downright humorous. After the tips and materials, youll find the stitch gallery. The stitch gallery offers clear stitch diagrams for all the embroidery stitches employed in the projects that follow. And heres the part that takes the stitch gallery from expected to unexpected. Theres a fantastic selection on needle weaving. She offers innumerable weaving patterns to create, with needle and thread, a whole slew of different woven fillings that mimic fabric. There are striped fillings, checked fillings, twill fillings, several plaid fillings, and plenty of in-between patterns, too. All in all, another terrific embroidery treat, this book! And definitely a must-have for your embroidery library. Even if you dont work the projects, theres a ton of good information and some really interesting techniques that you can incorporate into your own embroidery.
