If you're a fan of goldwork and silk embroidery, or if it's something you've seen and wanted to try, but didn't know how to go about starting, then this is the book for you! Beginner's Guide to Goldwork by Ruth Chamberline (published by Search Press) is a magnificent book!

Published in December of 2006, Beginner's Guide to Goldwork is a practical guide not only for the newcomer, but also for the experienced embroiderer. Ruth's book is full of magnificent color photos of gorgeous goldwork projects - they are a real source of inspiration for any needleworker. But better than that, the step-by-step instructions are all illustrated. All kinds of goldwork techniques from simple couching to Or Nué, as well as embroidery techniques such as shading (in long and short stitch), as all worked out right before your eyes in great photo tutorials.

I've got quite a collection of goldwork books, and when I first saw that this one was coming out, I thought it would be "just another book" with the same stuff in it. But when it arrived in the mail, I couldn't put it down until I'd read through the whole book and examined every photo. It's possibly the clearest book on goldwork embroidery that I've seen.

It's hard to say what I like best about the book. I can really appreciate the instructions (including photos) on setting up a project, choosing threads, transferring the design, starting and ending threads - all those details that, when I first started stitching, I had no idea about, but which make a finished project so much more professional. All the details are here, mapped out perfectly for the beginner. But I think, overall, I like the author's direct approach and clear explanations. And, of course, the lavish photos, which are all close-up enough to see the details and get the gist of the techniques used.

If you're a fan of goldwork and silk embroidery - or of needlework in general - I think you'll like having this book in your library.

I ordered mine from Amazon (significantly cheaper than the $19 tag I saw on it through a retail shop), and although it said up to two weeks for delivery, it arrived in two days. Check it out!

Labels: beginner embroidery, book review, embroidery books, goldwork, silk