Painting with Stitches

Book excerpt: For novices and seasoned needleworkers alike, this book guides crafters through the process of creating stunning works of art using a needle as a paintbrush and a vibrant collection of threads as a palette. Needleworkers are shown how to achieve the visual effects that combine the rich texture of tapestry with the dynamic color and composition of paintings. Step-by-step instructions for performing a simple satin stitch are provided, followed by advice for using hand drawings and a collage technique to develop ideas into finished embroidered pieces that retain the spontaneity of the original concepts. A gallery includes examples of portraits, creatures, landscapes, flowers, and abstract designs, all accompanied by line drawing patterns so needleworkers can try their hands at re-creating them as projects or samplers.