I’m excited to kick off this year’s book reviews with a gem that has already become an indispensable part of my embroidery journey: RSN Stitch Bank: 200 Essential Embroidery Stitches by the Royal School of Needlework (RSN). This comprehensive guide is a treasure trove for both beginners and seasoned embroiderers, offering detailed instructions and illustrations for 200 stitches.
The RSN has a storied history of preserving and promoting the art of hand embroidery. Their latest endeavor, the RSN Stitch Bank, aims to ensure that this craft not only survives but thrives in the modern era. The book features a curated selection of stitches, ranging from practical to decorative, providing a broad and varied basis for any embroiderer. Each stitch is fully explained with written instructions, illustrations, and photographs, making it easy to follow along. The stitches are divided into seven chapters, each covering a particular usage, from shading to edging, to facilitate application in your own work.
One of the standout features of this book is its showcase of historical pieces from the RSN’s unparalleled Collection and Archive. The stunning photography and expert insights bring the skills and experiences of the past to life, offering inspiration and context for each stitch. Additionally, the book is designed to complement the unique RSN Stitch Bank online resource, which conserves and preserves stitches from around the globe.
The holiday season was generous, and my bookshelf is now graced with several new needlework books that I can’t wait to dive into and share my thoughts on in the coming months. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s in store:
Foolproof Freeform Embroidery by Jennifer Clouston
In her fourth book, embroidery and quilting teacher Jennifer Clouston offers plenty of encouragement and inspiring examples for embroidering without a set of instructions or a kit. She talks about her free-form process and how you can tap into your own creativity to stitch unique designs.
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