Colourful Fun Embroidery (Crafts)

by Clare Albans

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Colourful Fun Embroidery is a new tutorial and project guide to surface embroidery by Clare Albans. Due out 30th Aug 2020 from Pen & Sword on their White Owl imprint, it's 128 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

I enjoyed this book. The pictures are all very clear and colourful, the projects are well designed and appealing, and the text is upbeat and encouraging. The introduction includes a discussion of tools, supplies, and basic techniques. The bulk of the book is taken up by the 24 (by my count) projects. The projects themselves are varied and attractive, from embroidered hoop-framed sayings, banners, an embroidered patchwork bag, and more. Most all of the projects could certainly be easily adapted to other finishes. All of the templates are included. Each tutorial contains an introduction, materials list (nothing too exotic or difficult to source), and step by step photo tutorials from start to finish. Tips and alternative finishes are included in the tutorials. The book also includes a supplies and links list (but no index).

It should be noted that this book is about surface embroidery, not cross stitch. It's lovely to see tutorials and and upswing in interest for the other fibrearts; it seems like only cross-stitch had any following for a long long time and it's nice to see surface embroidery enjoying a renaissance. I really love the breezy and sweet style, and the quirky comfortable projects.

Beautiful projects. Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.