Embellished is a visual feast of a journey through the process of inspiration and creativity, illustrating the way in which pieces and processes influence new work and ideas. Combining elements as diverse as exotic feathers, plastic jewellry, buttons, and vintage millinery straw, Karen Nicol will inspire you to come up with lavish creations beyond your wildest dreams.

Celebrated fashion designer Naeem Khan unveils a world of chic opulence and modern glamour in this illustrated volume featuring his sought-after red-carpet dresses, elegant bridal gowns, and beautifully beaded and embroidered statement pieces. Naeem Khan grew up immersed in the lavish world of Indian textiles, with both his father and grandfather creating intricate wares worn by Indian royal families. After moving to the United States as a teenager and landing an apprenticeship with the legendary designer Halston, Khan perfected his expert mastery of draping and cutting fabric. In 2003, he launched his eponymous label in the heart of New York's fashion district and immediately began selling his finely crafted designs at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue. This debut monograph is an ode to Khan's dazzling ready-to-wear and bridal designs, highlighting intricate embroidery, refined drapery, rich colors, and lush couture fabrics. Marrying the rich traditions and handmade textiles of his Indian roots as well as design inspirations from his travels to Peru, Japan, Russia, and Spain with modern techniques, the gowns, dresses, and separates presented here capture Khan's innovative vision and expert artistry. Dramatic red-carpet gowns are studies in volume, while bejeweled frocks sparkle with sequins and crystals. Elsewhere, modern renditions of suits and pajama sets embody Khan's romanticism, with delicate hand embroidery. Given Khan's penchant for ornate eveningwear, it's no wonder that luminaries such as Michelle Obama, Queen Noor, Beyoncé, and the Duchess of Cambridge have worn his creations. Brimming with glossy color photographs of Khan's endlessly chic designs, this new title is an enthralling look at one of America's most exciting designers.

This richly illustrated reference guide from embroidery expert Christen Brown covers everything you need to make beautiful magic with needle and thread. Learn to sew traditional and silk ribbon embroidery, make raised stitches, and embellish with beads, charms, buttons, and mirrors. Christen shows you how to combine and place stitches to enhance a finished piece and how to work with embroidery threads, ribbons, fabrics, laces, beads, buttons, and other embellishments. Also included are 9 complete embroidery projects to stitch and embellish, and step-by-step instructions that show exactly how to sew 85 different stitches.

Current ladies' clothing and accessories feature an abundance of beads and embroidery. Baskett (Dazzling Bead & Wire Crafts) shows how to add personalized decorations to unadorned items purchased from malls and thrift shops. Projects include applying fake jewels, beads, fabric paint, and cloth appliqués to denims, T-shirts, bags, and flip-flops. This book would appeal to teenagers as well as adults, which makes it a good selection for public library general craft or YA collections. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Showcases both traditional and contemporary quilting techniques for mini-quilts measuring less than 36" long by 36" wide. Many of the projects have appeared in gallery collections, and the designers provide detailed instructions and materials lists.

Creating Couture Embellishment offers a step-by-step guide to manipulating fabric and making and applying a rich variety of embellishments. Chapters cover fabric-manipulation techniques of pleating, quilting, tucking, ruffling, shirring and smocking, as well as the fabrication and application of feathers, beading, embroidery, flowers, decorative ribbons and bows, bias bindings and piping, fringe, braids and passementerie. The heirloom quality created by the insertion or application of lace is also explored. A comprehensive sourcebook of ideas for the student, professional and home sewer alike.

“A spectacular encyclopedia of embroidery, sharing valuable techniques passed down through the generations . . . you’ll wonder how you ever worked without it.” —Sew Magazine Enjoy the tranquility of slow stitching with this step-by-step, visual guide to 149 embroidery stitches, motifs, and extras. Go beyond basic color theory–robust color charts take the guesswork out of choosing thread, silk ribbon, buttons, beads, and trims. Then take your embroidery to the next level with luxurious seam treatments and stunning stand-alone designs. Bestselling author Christen Brown’s traditional and contemporary techniques are showcased in a colorful gallery of crazy-quilted projects. “An overview of embroidery stitches and techniques as well as inspiration for embroidery projects . . . She dissects several of her pieces, summarizing the color palette, decorative elements, and stitches used.” —Library Journal