This contemporary guide to the art of appliqué is endorsed by the Royal School of Needlework (RSN), and written by Kate Cross, one of their trained experts and teachers. It is the first in a new series designed to showcase the traditional techniques, technical excellence and contemporary flair of the RSN, and provide practical guidance and inspiration.
The book features an introduction to the RSN and its prestigious heritage. It reveals the history and context of appliqué and showcases galleries of inspiring appliqué work from around the world. But as well as featuring a rich selection of inspiring appliqué pieces, this is primarily a practical, instructional guide that offers a complete grounding in all essential appliqué techniques: it contains a comprehensive stitch guide and leads the reader through each technique using clear step-by-step photography and easy-to-follow expert guidance. It shows the reader how to knot thread and start stitching correctly, how to create a design, transfer it onto fabric, frame up a slate frame, build up, cut away, apply a variety of edges and apply fabric, as well as basic ribbonwork, goldwork, shadow work and silk shading. The book contains four beautiful projects that build in difficulty and put these techniques into practice.