Heirloom Embroidery: Inspired Designer Projects & Beautiful Stitching Techniques - Hardcover

Constantine, Jan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1906417032 ISBN 13: 9781906417031

Publisher: Jacqui Small, 2008

Synopsis

Jan Constantine has written this book as an inspirational guide to hand embroidery, with the aim of reviving the ancient craft which has generally lain dormant since the 1950s when television arrived.

This book guides the reader through the various stitches and methods of sewing simple and useful items for the home which can be treasured and kept for the next generation. As an antidote to the throwaway lifestyle of today, Heirloom Embroidery is testament to the way our grandparents lived, appreciating, preserving and passing down the wonderful hand-worked textiles stitched by family members.

Most of the stitches are very simple and with some practice, the results should be beautiful. Hand embroidery can become very addictive, but as it is very transportable, the work can be done practically anywhere. Heirloom Embroidery contains unique designs for all levels, from the beginner to the established seamstress.

The range of stitches includes: running stitch, satin stitch, padded satin stitch, French knots, buttonhole stitch, stem stitch, chain stitch and many more. Constantine provides full, step-by-step instruction on all the above stiches as well as techniques for a vast array of gift ideas, soft furnishings and home accessories.

About this title

About the Author

Jan Constantine spent her early career as a successful fashion designer in London before moving to the Cheshire countryside to build a career in interior design and raise two daughters with her husband David. Her homes have been featured in many prestigious magazines and he has appeared on several television makeover programmes. Jan has also worked as a stylist on various advertising campaigns and on magazines such as Italian Vogue and W. In 2002 Jan launched her hand-embroidery business, creating an exquisite range of original designs for textiles and home accessories, hand-worked on high-quality natural cottons, linens, wools and silks. In just a few years it grew from a cottage industry, with friends sewing round her kitchen table, to an established brand selling through its own website (www.janconstantine.com), as well as supplying Harrods, Liberty of London, Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and John Lewis in the UK, Bergdorf Goodman in New York, and several independent shops around the world. Jan's first book, Heirloom Embroidery, was published by Jacqui Small in 2008, her second book Love Stitching was published in 2011. Jan has been appointed the official licensee for hand-embroidered textiles by LOCOG for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and is also now licensing her brand to include many different product lines. Her collections now include stationery, china, greetings cards, gift wrap, kitchen textiles, cook ware, scented candles, bed linen and a home ware collection in collaboration with House of Fraser stores.

Edition details

• Publisher: Jacqui Small
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1906417032
• ISBN 13: 9781906417031
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 128