Hand Embroidered Country Scenes - Tapa dura

Step-by-step sequences show the embroiderer how to create landscapes and gardens using a small number of simple stitches. The book illustrates the author's techniques, and shows how to create a country scene - a simple cornfield with a tree, poppies, grasses and corn heads. It then shows how to stretch and mount the embroidery. There are photographs showing what materials are required and what stitches are used. Readers can learn how to paint the silk fabric background, how to make beautiful fabric flowers and foliage, what is needed to build up texture and perspective and what to do to achieve a three-dimensional effect. A collection of embroideries offers many ideas for more experimental approaches, such as making and incorporating lakes, rivers, rocks, buildings, brickwork, fences and garden tools. Sue Newhouse is the author of "Creative Hand Embroidery".