At Mr X Stitch we love to review textile art and embroidery books for you. There are so many great books to discover, packed with needlework inspiration and textile techniques, so we dive into each book to find out what’s good, what’s bad and let you know why you should pick it up. Here’s what we think of Transfer and Stitch: 140 beautiful designs to embroider written by Carina Envoldsen-Harris, Sally McCollin, Lesley Taylor and Michaela Learner, published by SEARCHPRESS.
Create exquisite embroideries with this inspiring collection of reusable iron-on embroidery motifs. Discover your favourite embroidery designs from the best-selling Transfer & Stitch series in this gorgeous, yet handy, folder edition. In the folder, you’ll find an invaluable stitching guide with advice on tools and materials, essential stitches, transferring the designs and hooping up your fabric; and a separate transfer book with 140 stunning embroidery outlines of flowers, borders, insects, hearts and more – ready for you to cut out and iron straight onto your fabric. The stitching guide includes stitched examples of all the motifs to inspire your own embroideries, and inspiration for using the motifs to embellish clothes, cushions and other fabric items. Use a single motif, or mix and match several designs, to create embroidered wall art or to embellish clothes, gifts and items around the home. When you’re finished, store your transfer in the folder where it can be reused multiple times to craft beautiful, embroidered masterpieces again and again.
About the Authors
We are lucky enough to have four experts sharing their valuable knowledge with us. Carina is a Danish designer, blogger and author living in the UK. She has been selling designs under the name ‘Polka and Bloom’ and has published a number of books. For more information visit Carina’s Craftblog – crafts and more since 2006 (carinascraftblog.com) .
Sally has been working in the textile industry for over 20 years in craft magazines and websites dedicated to embroidery. She provides artwork and translation for European craft-based suppliers and delivers talks and workshops within the textile industry, co-hosting residential stitching breaks for Brightwater Holidays in the UK and abroad.
Lesley is an accomplished practitioner of surface embroidery, covering all major techniques. She is now in her final year of the Creative Embroidery Diploma, having completed her City and Guilds Creative Embroidery Certificate.
Michaela has worked as a freelance embroiderer, needlecrafter and designer for many years. Her surface stitching includes freestyle stitchery, blackwork, hardanger, cross stitch and pulled thread work. She writes articles for magazines and is a designer for the embroidery thread manufacturer DMC.
Who is the book aimed at?
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced embroiderer, iron-on transfer designs are quick and easy to use with a crisp outline for accurate stitching results, fade-proof and washable. With advice on fabrics, threads, colours, equipment and a stitch library you have a comprehensive manual to try the sampler designs offered or be inspired to create your own. Transform or personalize homeware and clothing or make unique gifts for friends. Great for parents teaching children the basics of stitch. I remember learning to embroider in infant school, making a spectacle case, pencil case and embroidery bag which I still use today. To embellish table linen with a floral or garden-inspired motif is a traditional passtime dating back to the 1800’s, decorating homes to be enjoyed and treasured for years. There is a wide range of designs to choose from – flowers, insects, beetles, butterflies and moths, birds, love hearts, and patterns, with some more detailed than others. I love the nostalgia of floral patterns, reminding me of childhood, baking with old aunties in their pinnies….
laying a Sunday table with fine china and linen….
using vintage tablecloths passed down from grandmothers and mothers. ‘Bottom drawers’ are full of such items, lovingly embroidered for the bride and groom to set up home together.
Content
The stitch guide and reusable iron-on transfers are delivered as individual books within a practical folder which can be used to store designs as you use them.
A ‘how to use this book’ introduction encourages you to ‘go wherever your inspiration takes you’ with advice on equipment, threads and fabrics and a step-by-step guide on how to transfer designs and use an embroidery hoop.
The stitch dictionary gives a comprehensive guide for beginners with easy to follow instruction and diagram. Stitches include running, back, straight, chain, lazy-daisy, seed, long and short, satin, couching, stem, blanket, cross, fly, French knot and pistil.
Each design is page-referenced with the iron-on transfer and sampler making the process of design easy to understand. You can use any embroidery stitch to outline or fill in as you wish.
Photography
Beautiful photographs of finished items encourages the embroiderer to try a variety of designs. Information and diagrams are clear and easy to follow. A well balanced presentation of technique and inspiration.
What makes this book special?
Small scale embroidery projects make great gifts with lots of designs to choose from with simple transfers to be embroidered at any level. Simple embroidery is very effective and easy to master, making this a lovely book for children who are learning to stitch at school and anyone who wants to give it a go. For those who have already honed their technique you can make your project as elaborate as you want it to be. Unique gift ideas include a baby mobile,
lavender bag,
patchwork cushion cover,
and notebook. Who wouldn’t love to receive these items as gifts from a friend?
Anything wrong with the book?
Perhaps such delicate embroidery detail is not practical for embellishing baby and toddler clothes. Embroider for special occasions such as a Christening robe which can be passed down through the generations.
Gardening-based products will soon become soiled by their very nature.
A decorative garden-themed paperweight is a unique and practical solution. A thoughtful present for gardeners and academics, bringing the outside in (in terms of design), capturing the essence of time in stitch.
Get your copy using this link…. Transfer & Stitch and support local bookshops!
