A showcase for textile artist Alison Holt's exquisite machine embroideries, this book will teach you to 'paint' your surroundings with thread. Use thread to paint the world around you with free-motion embroidery. Alongside new examples of Alison Holt's exquisite and distinctive machine embroideries, this book collects together her teachings and techniques for machine-embroidering flowers, woodlands, landscapes and seascapes. A huge range of techniques and ideas are clearly explained using step-by-step photographs, and demonstrated through a selection of inspiring projects. Learn how to create landscapes and seascapes of your own, and find inspiration through numerous examples of Alison's original work.

Show how to produce incredibly beautiful seascapes. Using threads as an artist would use paints to achieve stunningly realistic pictures full of mood and atmosphere - waves crashing onto a windswept beach, sunlight sparkling on a bright blue Mediterranean sea and dramatic sunset skies -- all created using just two simple machine stitches.--Cover.

Renowned textile artist Meredith Woolnough creates replicas of nature using a delicate system of tiny stitches. Her artwork is breathtaking, and now for the first time Woolnough offers crafters and fiberartists a lesson in how to use the "organic embroidery" technique. Look behind the scenes of her art process, from the initialfieldwork sketching and research that inspires her designs, to theproduction of her ethereal embroidered sculptures. She guides you through 12 creativity-prompting activities to help you begin your own mastery of this method. As you learn to find your desired shape or pattern in nature, from sources like leaves, shells, or coral, then use your sewing machine to turn bits into exquisite art. You'll also enjoy dozens of inspirational photos of Woolnough's ownart pieces. Woolnough's instructions offer simple but highlyversatile techniques, and allow you space for your own creative approach

Presents over one hundred lessons in machine embroidery techniques, ranging from cording and openwork to lace and beadwork, using a straight-stitch machine

Learn the art of thread painting from Instagram sensation Michelle Staub Cats and dogs seem to always have a paw planted firmly in our hearts. Capture the life in their eyes and the texture of their fur with a unique embroidered pet portrait! Insta-famous artist Michelle Staub puts a modern spin on thread painting with her easy-to-learn approach. Get started with 4 basic embroidery stitches, and follow the detailed tutorials to hone your skills. Capture awe-inspiring details of your pet with lessons in full-color thread painting or go clean with a simple line drawing—the choice is yours. Learn to personalize your art piece with names, dates, and decorative accents. With 20 sample patterns to customize, you can easily recreate any breed! Paint stunningly realistic pet portraits with just a needle and thread Try your hand at two styles—minimal outlines and incredible full-color renderings Make it modern with floral garlands, personalized banners, and crisp lettering Start today with 4 easy stitches and 20 customizable projects

Learn how to create beautiful woodland pictures using various combinations of two simple machine stitches. Techniques and instructions are broken down into clear, colour step-by-step instructions, with many helpful photographs and a great range of inspirational pieces. Alison 'paints' her threads on to hand-coloured backgrounds, blending her stitches and achieving stunning results. The raised effects of the embroidery produce a beautiful three-dimensional look and her clever use of perspective is effective and easily achieved. This book covers everything, including the materials required; how to compose a picture from photographs that have inspired you; painting backgrounds; and all the basic stitch techniques you need to know. Detailed instructions explain how to create realistic trees, foliage, flowers, woodland paths and much more. The book concludes with four stunning projects based on the four seasons, and throughout there are many examples of Alison's original and delightful work.This is an interesting and must-have instructional and inspirational manual for anyone interested in learning about free-motion embroidery.