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Mary Corbet

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I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

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Book Review: New Release – Beginner’s Guide to Goldwork

 

Amazon Books

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 instructional book on basic goldwork techniques and silk stitching.

Beginner's Guide to Goldwork

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.

Beginner's Guide to Goldwork

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. I concluded that I really like this book!

The goldwork part of this book primarily concentrates on couched goldwork threads, like passing threads and so forth. The author shows you all kinds of methods of couching, to achieve different effects in your goldwork. The instruction is given by walking the embroiderer through a beautiful goldwork and silk sampler, so it’s a great way to get introduced to metal thread embroidery and to enjoy making a really pretty sampler!

Beginner's Guide to Goldwork

It’s hard to say what I like best about the book. I can 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.

Where to Find It

You can find Beginner’s Guide to Goldwork through the following book affiliates:

In the US, Beginner’s Guide to Goldwork is available here through Amazon.

Those outside the US might opt to order Beginner’s Guide to Goldwork through Book Depository, where you get free world-wide shipping.

 
 

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(5) Comments

  1. I have been reading about goldwork for awhile, and just purchased my first goldwork kit.

    This resource would be great!

    Happy Holidays,

    Maria

    1
  2. I only have one embroidery book. I would love to increase my skills by delving into goldwork. This book would give me a great start. The photos are so pretty, I really would like to try this.

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  3. I have to agree that this book is also a favourite of mine.
    As I have already a copy of the first edition, what is the DIFFERENCE with the update that I would benefit from in buying a copy?

    Whilst I do like ‘How to books’ with clear drawings and easy to read instructions, the photographs do offer a better idea and shows more clearly how a sample should look.

    As I am a seeing is a doing person, one might say if I watch, then I can learn easier than all the written instructions can offer.

    All books offer something and I do love my books.

    Thanks Mary.
    Regards
    MM

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