The Joy of Stitching (978-1-4162-4577-3; $19.95), a new book from Sellers Publishing, offers 38 projects that range from embroidered birds on a linen pillow, a design for a fun trolley car, and table linens decorated with simple yet elegant wildflowers, to a needlepoint watch band, a coin purse, and an iPad pouch.
Author Nina Sæther’s love of hand embroidery is obvious from the first page. She helps those who are new to the craft with 18 perfectly chosen quick and easy decorative stitches that feature step-by-step instructions accompanied by illustrations. Readers will put their new-found skills to use straight away on projects that are perfect for keepsakes or gifts. All the patterns are included to complete the projects.
In her introduction, Sæther presents comprehensive information on the materials and equipment needed, such as a hoop; advice on the basic techniques like transferring a design onto fabric; suggested fabric markers; and types of floss and yarn. She employs a variety of techniques, like cross stitches on stiff, open-weave canvasses, and back stitches on linen. Many of the designs are made on T-shirts and other store-bought items from bed linens to tablecloths, placemats, and napkins. Those with basic machine sewing skills will find useful bags, wonderful wallets, and plush linen pillows with zipper closures.
All the projects in this book have something in common: they are embroidered using quickly made stitches. None of the projects demand a lot of time.
Author Nina Granlund Sæther grew up in Asker, Norway, just outside Oslo. Her love and interest in embroidery, sewing, knit, and crochet has been a passion since she was a child. In 1987, Nina began her career in journalism as an editor at Norwegian Folk Art & Craft magazine (Norsk Husflid). Today, she is the editor in chief of House & Home magazine (Hus & Bolig), a magazine about houses and home design. Sæther is the author of Making Cushions and Pillows: 60 Cushions and Pillows to Sew, Stitch, Knit and Crochet, 978-1446304259.
The Joy of Stitching is a 8″ x 11″, 128-page, softcover book featuring 38 embroidery and needlework designs that will be published in March 2016, and will retail for $19.95. It will be available in bookstores and gift shops nationwide and through Sellers Publishing’s Web-site, www.rsvp.com.
Sellers Publishing, Inc. is an award-winning publisher of books, calendars, greeting cards and journals. The company was cited for four consecutive years by Publishers Weekly for being among the fastest growing independent publishers in the country. It is located in South Portland, Maine and can be contacted at 800-625-3386 or by visiting their Web site at www.sellerspublishing.com.
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