RSN Essential Stitch Guides: Canvaswork - Rachel Doyle

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Résumé :
A convenient, portable and practical guide to canvaswork, with fully illustrated instructions on the most useful stitches.

Another in this fine series of books from RSN. These essential stitch guides really do give a thorough grounding. Rachel gives an introduction to and history of canvaswork. She takes us through the materials we need and framing up. There are design guidelines and how to start your work, and order of work. We then get into the meat of the book - the stitch directory. This is excellent and gives a description of the stitch and its uses as well as variations and related stitches. I love the very visible diagrams plus a colour example of the stitch when it is worked up. The examples of finished work throughout this book are wonderful. If you have ever thought canvaswork the poor relation of needlework - think again. In particular the work at the back of the book under the section 'Moving On' demonstrates the versatility of this form of needlecraft.-Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts Like other titles in this series, Canvaswork's handsome glossy spine conceals a useful spiral binding so that embroiderers can use the book as a hardworking reference tool when stitching. Depicting stitches in a muted palette ably illustrates the varied textural possibilities afforded by working on what can seem initially like the dauntingly 'formal grid of a canvas'. Rachel urges readers to view this 'as you would any other background fabric - a space to fill with your embroidery'. She also urges readers to break out of the habit of only using wool. 'Anything that will fit ... through the holes of the canvas can be used - ribbon, silk, stranded cotton, metallic threads'. Rachel has wisely not attempted to produce an encyclopaedic stitch guide, preferring to offer a well-judged 'broad cross-section of useful stitches to get you started'. This approach means that adequate page space is given to each stitch, with large photographs of each worked sample accompanied by step-by-step illustrations and written instructions. Additional information is also given on variations of and suggested uses for each stitch, as well as related stitches. Rachel had already gained a degree in textiles before completing her RSN Apprenticeship, and her confidently restrained use of tone and texture shines through in this refreshing take on a historic form.-Stitch