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Embeadery by Margaret
Ball Margaret has authored a very extensive and informative book for bead embroidery. Quilters, as well as beaders, should be lining up for this book. Here is an all new look at bead embroidery. All the standard stitches applicable to bead embroidery are explained and illustrated plus Margaret’s outstanding finished samples to view. Her table of contents spans 5 ½ pages, with chapters for basics, converting embroidery to beadwork, back stitch, buttonhole, chain stitch, chevron, couching, Cretan, feather, fern, fishbone, fly, herringbone, loop, rose, satin and Vandyke stitches. Within each chapter, each stitch has been expanded for several different applications. An example would be Herringbone stitch; open and closed herringbone, sequin/bead edge, dangles and internal stripe are herringbone stitch techniques. Within that same chapter are color series I, II and III, which explains alternating color pattern using more than one bead color. If you have already mastered most bead embroidery stitches, consider Margaret’s book the perfect reference for your workroom. Embeadery is also an excellent book for instructors and their students. The way the book is laid out, makes it easy to set up lesson plans for classes. After all the stitches are explained, the next step is combining the stitches and a variety of examples are included. My favorite is the Mandala shape which looks like a circular tree of life or floral form. Very easy stitches are used to make these shapes and they are just exquisite. I do want to make a few of them. Margaret also includes projects among her examples to help stimulate your imagination. Her pocket doll is a goddess or doll figure and has a beaded cabochon for a face. The bead embellished boxes, wall hangings, crazy quilt block, Triptych and mermaid are easy projects and you will learn a variety of stitches while making them. The mermaid is awesome to say the least with fabric backing and bead embellishment. You will love this mermaid, either as a necklace, or to add to your quilt or wall hanging. There are pattern blanks for the goddess and mermaid figures. I love the mermaid, I fiberjest you not. All of the samples can be added to quilts, combined with beadwork, stitches to clothing or hats. All the stitches are worked into color samples and you will find all the color pages together, samples and projects. This is a smashing good book that you need even if you have every bead embroidery book in print. Your imagination will fly and so will your fingers. I study beadwork history and continue to make beadwork samples. I include free instructions to make my samples on my www.beadwrangler.com website. Margaret’s samples are perfect to add to your beadwork samples and preserve beadwork history. Review by Lydia F Borin |
