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As if Inspirations magazine isnt impressive enough, here is a coffee table book to knock your socks off!
A hefty, sturdy publication filled with beautiful photographs and all the instructions, diagrams and patterns to make twelve gorgeous projects. Fingers itch to grab the materials and get stitching, but there is plenty of reading (and gazing) to be done first
Make sure your coffee table is strong enough for this behemoth of a book and prepare to be wowed. This truly is a glorious book rather like Inspirations magazine on steroids, filled with wonderful photographs all shot on location at an old cottage in the Adelaide Hills that used to be a bacon factory. All the projects are shown made up in situ, where they really come to life. It is good as well to be able to see them in lots of different poses; the next best thing to being able to see the real pieces. Anybody familiar with the magazine will know what to expect, if not get ready for some advanced projects which will put your skills to the test. Each one is showcased at the beginning in several pages where you can read about the inspiration behind it and see it in several views. Each project features a list of everything you require for efficient assembly before you start, with measurements in both imperial and metric. There is also a list of stitches which are helpfully (and clearly) shown at the back of the book along with a pocket full of patterns. Most of the steps are not illustrated as this is not a book for beginners but there are drawn diagrams and some of the trickier things are shown in more detail with staged photographs. If you are an experienced embroiderer this book will give you some challenging things to make that are beautiful heirloom quality conversation pieces. Choose from a thread painting of European bee eaters, a trinket pot adorned with stumpwork flowers, a Versailles inspired chatelaine and needlebook, delicate and subtle Casalguidi sachet, goldwork roundel and more. This is a heavy book for the lap but ideal for a table as it opens out and stays flat. One for the keeper shelf as long as it is sturdy enough
Postcard Reviews
This is a book with the absolute WOW factor.
The title just says it all... it truly is inspirational. Even if like me you are not an advanced embroiderer, this books has some fabulous projects that I can take bits from and practice my stitch work.
Beautifully photographed, my favourite pieces have to be the 3D projects, such as the Edinburgh etui and the very elegant flower pots.
It is quite hard to believe that these beautiful works of art are stitched.
There are full sized pattern templates and a complete guide demonstrating each item. The guides include all you need to complete a stunning masterpiece.
Various stitch techniques are covered within the pages, and to be perfectly honest even if you cannot embroider but your passion for needlework is just that, then this book is for you.
It is divine.
