Floral Collection for Hand Embroidery; an Embroiderer's Garden & Landscapes: 50 new cross stitch models

Istanbul, Tuva Publishing, [2014, 2015] ISBN: 978 605 5647 63 6, and 978 605 5647 400  

These are two delightful little books from a part of the world from which we rarely see embroidery publications. They both start – as all competent needlework books do – with sections on fabric, threads and equipment needed to work the designs which follow. They both also have a brief but perfectly adequate, stitch dictionary. Each stitch has a number. You need to know this for later! Both books are prettily illustrated, in colour, with drawings and photos.  

The first book is a collection of sweet, delightful floral motifs, along with other things we associate with flowers; insects, vases, ribbons, cottages and so forth. There is a photograph on the left page of the worked motif(s) and on the right hand page are drawings, to size, of the featured motif, in the DMC colours in which each is worked. There is a key of colours used, on the far right of the page. Numbered arrows refer back to the stitch dictionary and the specific stitch recommended for each part of the motif. I thought this may be a bit annoying but if you know your basic embroidery stitches, you can see what they are from the photos – if not, the book is so well designed, albeit a bit different to what we are used to, that it does work. The motifs, of varying sizes, could be used to embroider on clothes, handkerchiefs, needle cases, towels, tray or supper cloths and many would be lovely on cards.  

The second book, as its title indicates, has cross stitch patterns for landscapes of many kinds. I plucked lovely flowers from a couple of scenes from the book to make three little cross stitch pieces for our regional day gifts. They worked up beautifully. Maria does use outlining, which I sometimes find tiresome, but she uses it sparingly. I felt a few of the designs lacked originality but most are charming. My favourites are a set of four round scenes depicting the seasons.  

These books would be useful on an embroiderer’s bookshelf, to browse and inspire when inspiration is slow to come. Many of the motifs from the first book will be perfect for a beginner. Although not spiral bound, the books lie flat – a big plus. My copies came from the public library which also has two more books by this author. Both are available through Book Depository.                                         

Erica Marsden