Fabrications
Issue 58
This is the perfect book for young beginners in embroidery. Claire Buckley shows you how to make and embroider cushions, bags and journal covers. Easy instructions and step-by-step photographs show you how to be creative and there is a super gallery of stitches and embellishments. If you have a young member in your family who is keen on picking up a needle, then this would be an ideal book to get them started. Packed with creative ideas, their imaginations will be able to run riot.
West Country Embroiderers
Winter 07
This is a colourful, well designed book that would appeal to young girls. The instructions are very clear and the projects simple and 'funky'. I liked the way each project was followed by advice on how to develop the ideas for future projects.
My daughters would have loved this book. I think it could be used by children from around seven, with a little help, and girls up to around fourteen would find it useful and inspiring. This would make a great present, particularly with a 'materials pack' and some basic tools.
Jane Snowden, Liskeard
Workshop On The Web
June 2007
The cover is brightly coloured and features designs from the book. All the pages are clearly set out and easy to read. The content is split into eleven sections, including 'Magic Bag' and 'Lucky Charms'. It includes templates and clear photos. At the beginning, there is a very useful section on how to do a number of stitches, including running stitch, chain stitch, fly stitch, blanket stitch and cross stitch. The book also has an interesting page on using French Knots and a lovely photo of a flower made using them. Moving on, the book has clear descriptions, and useful photos, on securing sequins and beads onto fabric. At the end of each project is a double-page on how you can change a design, for example, from a wall-hanging into a cushion.
Lauren Spencer
Popular Patchwork
Issue 5, 2007
This starts with techniques and includes more different embroidery stitches. All these projects are made by hand so it is suitable if you are younger, some of the lucky charms made in felt could even be made by 6 year olds if they can sew a bit. It was a shame that the templates were not full size but my mum scanned them in and made them bigger. If you didn't have a scanner you could just draw them a bit larger.
Rosie Hodgson, age 10
Merseyside Embroiderers Guild
Mar 07
I wish that this book had been available when I was learning to stitch, and even more so, when my daughters were younger. It is well presented and ideally suited to young people. It is simply written and well illustrated by the Chairman of the Young Embroiderers Guild, who know exactly what this age group need in terms of starter books. The ideas she presents are the sort that young people would really enjoy making. There are 'Funky Facts' scattered through the pages and 'Top Tips' also give an extra interest to the projects. This book would make an ideal present for any youngster with an interest in learning the basics of Embroidery, or for anyone teaching the same age group.
