Freestyle Embroidered Mandalas

Go beyond the coloring book! These embroidery-ready iron-on transfers make it super-simple to jump in and start stitching beautiful meditative mandalas. Use the transfers to create embroidery-hoop pieces, or to embellish favorite bags, shirts, or pillows. Once the pattern is transferred, just take a needle and floss, and stitch along the lines to "color" the designs. The process is relaxing, and the results are gorgeous.

Whether you refer to it as crewel or Jacobean, this free form of surface embroidery has been around for centuries and is still popular amongst needle artists today. Because of the nature of the fanciful objects and the tradition of using a large variety of stitches in one project, it lends itself to endless creative expression. In this book Hazel Blomkamp uses a wide selection of materials to update techniques and inspire embroiderers to explore whilst working loosely within the confines of crewel work styles. She shows needle artists how to be creative with fabric, threads, beads and alternative stitches, borrowing techniques from other forms of needlework, and still producing a product that is typical of the crewel or Jacobean style of embroidery.The original designs include: Projects including beads and metal threads to add sparkle and texture to your work. Monochrome embroidery making use of a variety of threads and beads, all within the same colour range. Techniques employed in needle-made laces with designs defined by means of texture. More traditional embroidery including shading and satin stitch and the many variations of trellis couching to provide texture and interest. The completed embroideries are displayed in ways that are not only decorative, but are useful in the home.

Six flamboyant crewel birds to stitch in popular author Hazel Blomkamp's much-loved, sumptuous style. In this fourth title in Hazel Blomkamp's series on crewel embroidery with a twist, the focus is on farm and game birds. The birds give a nod to current trends, most notably the Zentangle look with crewel-style filling-in stitches and techniques. Crewel Birds is a celebration of Hazel's signature techniques: a wide variety of surface/crewel stitches, some of which are brand new and many with a different take or different ways of combining stitches to make them more interesting. Also included are needle lace techniques as embroidery stitches, loom weaving techniques modified for embroidery, and unique combinations of both of these. The incorporation of beads and crystals adds even more dazzle to the intricate designs. There are six projects, each explained with detailed step-by-step instructions and clear photographs, with design templates and a full stitch gallery providing everything readers need to recreate them with ease. The projects comprise a phoenix, rooster, common pheasant, mallard duck, flamingo and golden pheasant. In addition to these sumptuous embroideries, Hazel explains how to hand quilt the backgrounds and finish the edges with binding to put them together in a 'rag book', as an alternative to framing. For embroiderers looking for something different and new to stitch, and for those keen to challenge themselves with more complex embroidery techniques, this book is a must-have.

Beautiful bird and animal designs, inspired by the African world, in crewel and Jacobean embroidery. Following the success of Crewel Intentions and Crewel Twists, which introduced embroiderers to using needle-lace and loom-weaving techniques, comes Crewel Creatures, the third title in this series by renowned embroiderer Hazel Blomkamp. Animals and birds are popular subjects in crewel embroidery, and here Hazel introduces needleworkers to the beautiful, exotic creatures found in the African wild. Following the Jacobean embroidery style for which Hazel is well known, and incorporating the subtle influence of the fractal designs found in zentangle art, Hazel brings beads and other three-dimensional elements into her designs, capturing the stunning and colourful art that is traditionally associated with Africa. Those new to Hazel's work will find a useful guide to the essential crewel stitches, needle-lace and needle-weaving techniques in an easy-to-follow how-to section and stitch gallery, and all embroiderers will be impressed by the wealth of design ideas and inspiration this book has to offer. With every project, step-by-step instructions and gorgeous photographs are included, along with a template of the design. All the projects are stitched and embellished on natural coloured linen, making them not only perfect for framing for display but also wonderfully economical for embroiderers to work on.

Keeping to a theme started in Crewel Twists, this book continues the concept of using non-traditional techniques and materials in crewel or Jacobean embroidery. It showcases four large projects, each with an accompanying small project similar in technique, and shows needle workers how to be creative with threads, alternative stitches and beads. Traditional techniques are explained but are extended with the use of bead embroidery, needle lace techniques, and stitches not normally used in crewel work. Many new needle lace and bead embroidery techniques are incorporated, and the book also explores weaving techniques used to create textures like twill and lace weaves, as well as patterns similar to tartan and houndstooth check. Every project is clearly explained with step-by-step instructions and lots of photographs, and the completed embroideries are once again displayed in ways that are both decorative and functional in the home. Templates of the original designs complete this magnificent source for creative embroidery.

Crazy patchwork has long been a popular subject amongst quilters and embroiderers, allowing them the freedom to be creative and to incorporate a broad range of techniques into their work. In this beautiful book, expert needlecrafter Hazel Blomkamp explores a wide variety of hand-stitching techniques and produces five stunning projects in which everything is created using just fabric, a needle, threads, ribbons and beads. She provides expert guidance on embellishment techniques such as beading, embroidery (with both thread and silk ribbon), needlelace, needle weaving and tatting, as well as on patchwork and quilting. Three projects are worked completely from scratch, and even the patches themselves are created with a needle and thread. The fourth project is a traditional crazy patchwork with hand-stitched embellishments, and the fifth project combine a traditional crazy patchwork with a Jacobean embroidery panel. The book will draw in both embroiderers and quilters, and inspire them to combine their skills in new and exciting ways.

Working from the Encyclopedia of Needlework by T.H. de Dillmont, originally published in the late 19th century, Hazel Blomkamp has compiled all of the key needle lace embroidery techniques into one handy and portable stitch book. The book begins with a basic guide to needle lace techniques, based on several stitches Dillmon used which Hazel has broken down into easy steps. Over 40 needle lace stitches are then described, each with a clear diagram and step-by-step instructions, and a photograph of one of hazel's beautiful piece to provide inspiration. All have been detailed on one side of the page only, allowing the reader to place a magnetic cross-stitch board underneath. They can then use the magnetic rulers that come with the board to mark the row that they are working on, making the instructions easier to follow. The book is wire-bound, allowing the pages to lie flat while you work, and the book's notebook-size fits perfectly in a workbag for easy transportation while stitching on the go. With all the stitches needed for needle lace hand embroidery at their fingertips, both new and experienced embroiderers will find inspiration from this invaluable resource.

"Embroidery Reinvented! Hoop art for modern makers. Nichole Vogelsinger unites traditional embroidery with her signature Boho style in this follow-up to her best-selling Boho Embroidery. Packed with saturated colors, blingy fabrics and embellishments, and inspirational patterns, her creations will inspire you to experiment with new stitch combinations, add unique embellishments and create layers of textures using any of her 30 easy-to-follow patterns. Featuring 5 essential embroidery stitches along with 15 new ones, Nichole walks you through a variety of pattern transfer techniques and stitched samplers to get you started. Then, grab a hoop, gather all of your favorite fabrics, threads, beads and sequins and embrace the free-spiritedness of going Boho!" --