Beginner's Guide to Machine Embroidery [Paperback]

Pamela Watts (Author)

Book Description

Series: Beginner's Guide to | Publication Date: August 1, 2003

Pamela Watts explores all the techniques with infectious enthusiasm, showing how to work the stitches, adjust tension, layer fabrics, develop surfaces, build up texture, create lacy effects with water soluble fabric and more. Step-by-step photographs accompany a series of projects which are designed to improve skills and the book is packed with expert advice on all aspects of machine embroidery. A final section takes you beyond fabrics into using metal, mesh, handmade paper and more. Vibrant and exciting designs can be created easily using these materials. The effect is stunning when they are combined with soft and transparent fabrics, and lustrous threads.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Pamela Watts is passionate about embroidery. She has studied it intensively and now teaches and lectures all over the UK. She also makes regular journeys abroad where she teaches workshops on machine embroidery. She is currently a freelance tutor at Missenden Abbey in Buckinhamshire, and she has written several books on machine embroidery, bead embroidery and embroidered flowers. She has also written articles for top embroidery magazines. In her spare time, Pam enjoys flying helicopters and gardening.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Search Press (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0855329939
• ISBN-13: 978-0855329938
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,884 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 92 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A deceptive title, December 28, 2004

By 

C. A. Bejtlich "craft lady" (Billerica, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beginner's Guide to Machine Embroidery (Paperback)

Pam Watts has chosen an inappropriate title for this book. In no way is this a beginner's guide to anything. One would have to be an expert sewer with an elaborate machine and many years of sewing and quilting experience to benefit from this book. There is no mention of hooping or stabilizing fabrics. These are techniques that beginner's need to know. Beginners do not use silks and satins and fancy ribbons for a project. I am very disappointed and I wish a more appropriate title had been chosen for the book. If you are experienced in machine embroidery and want to paint pictures with threads and fabric, this book is for you. But it is not a guide for a beginner.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars No way is this a biginners guide, September 25, 2005

By 

Marie T. Luce (Chelmsford Ma) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beginner's Guide to Machine Embroidery (Paperback)

I was looking for an introduction to Machine embroidery. I would not use this book or recommend it as a beginners guide. Nice techniques, once you have an idea of the basics

4.0 out of 5 stars Beginner's Guide to Machine Embroidery, December 20, 2011

By 

Runey Tewnes "Runey" (Cape Neddick, Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beginner's Guide to Machine Embroidery (Paperback)

"This book is exciting from a designer's point of view. Watts uses a progression from units to finished design. She shows how to go from the particular to the general, from lovely little fragments to a combined whole that has integrity and unity. Those who know that stabilizers and dropped feed dogs mean stitching fun, can have a really, really, good time."
The title may mean different things to different people. I do have good machine skills, but I'm a relative newcomer to this form of stitching.