Customer Reviews

Embroidered Flora & Fauna: Three-Dimensional Textured Embroidery

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is a gorgeous book, no doubt about that - filled with an abundance of beautiful, imaginative projects and great instructions.

But (and you had to hear the 'but' coming), not everything shown on the front and back cover are included inside this book. One of the projects I was really looking forward to were the stumpwork pansies - I adore pansies! But, though I went cover to cover 3 times, alas, no pansies.

I think that if you are going to include a photo of something ON the book covers, it should be IN the book - otherwise you have MISLEAD the consumer. Had that been the case, I would have given this book 5 stars...as it was not, I can only reluctantly give it 3 stars.

"Embroidered Flora & Fauna" is extraordinarily delicious and has reawakened my love of embroidery and stumpwork (and effectively led to several more Amazon purchases!). The subtitle "Three-Dimensional Textured Embroidery" simply does not do this book justice. Certainly the authors have captured here a fourth dimension - that of beauty.

Not only are the projects unusual but the book is organized in an ingenious method. Chapters are broken down by coloration, from the first chapter "Oyster White" to "Salmon" and finally "Grey, Black, & White". Feel like working in greens today? Just flip to the appropriate chapter and find a marvelous praying mantis.

My favorite project is in the "Brown" chapter; it is an amazing rendition of owls using washer discs, fringe, organza and even actual tree bark.

My other favorite project is a set of cut and whole figs. They can stand alone untethered and truely stand out from any other fig you have ever seen. These reside in the "Indigo" chapter.

The book begins with general instructions which are in sufficient detail and include ample photographs. There is a section on wire-edged applique that answered a lot of questions I had about this process. I was worried there might be a bit too much crochet involved in other items, but the instructions give me the confidence to try something new. A variety of media are used, and you have GOT to see the mesh food covers embellished with insects - there is no limit to what you can transform with a few glamorous stitches and techniques!

This is simply a lovely book for your favorite needleworker - you!

I am always looking for ways to add little details to my applique work and try to incorporate embroidery when I can. This book has opened up many new ideas for me. The pictures are wonderful and the steps are easy to follow. You won't be disappointed with this purchase!

I just received my copy of Embroidered Flora & Fauna in the post this morning and it is truly lovely! The full color photos (and the book is packed with them) are beautiful and inspiring. The instructions are detailed and well written. The stitches used in the embroidery are illustrated in the back of the book. Most of the project templates in the back of the book are full size. Even if I never make a single one I will enjoy this book.

Embroidered Flora & Fauna: Three-Dimensional Textured Embroidery by Lesley Turpin-Delport and Nikki Delport-Wepener is a visual feast for any textile enthusiast. The book is full of gorgeous photography of the authors' work and nature to inspire anyone interested in embroidery or the textile arts. The book is well designed, printed on sturdy paper, and printed in a font that is easy on the eyes. This book, like many in the arts/crafts genre, consists of introductory material, lists of materials needed, a basic introduction to the techniques presented, a project section, a stitch glossary, and line diagrams of the projects presented in the book. There is no list of suppliers which is something I often find useful in a book.
I will state right up front that I love this book and have found that it has re-energized my interest in stitching; however, I do not feel that it is a book that would be easy for beginners to work with. The stitch diagrams are diagrams only- there is no accompanying text. When I attempted to execute one of the stitches that I had never tried before, I had to refer to another book that I own to understand and construct the stitch. Although line drawings of the projects are presented, the instructions for the projects only direct one to transfer the design to fabric, not how to do so. The directions are straightforward, i.e., "Main stem: coral stitch in pinky-brown perle." However, the project direction is accompanied by a photograph and one must refer to the line drawings at the back of the book for the labeled parts of the project. The line drawings do not reference the stitches that are used. Constructing the projects would, therefore, require quite a bit of back and forth between the different sections of the book. If one is also struggling to learn the stitches involved in the project, I would think that the beginner could easily become frustrated.
I particularly enjoy the authors' presentation of free-standing figs and pomegranates. These are constructed of felt, embroidered and stuffed. They stand as small sculptures that would be at home on a shelf or table in either a traditional or modern decor. Although the projects presented are very traditional in nature, the techniques could easily be adapted to more contemporary or abstract designs. One piece especially spoke to my heart, the Country Feeling Sampler. Although directions are not given for this sampler, it would be easy to replicate the motifs employed by using the techniques described in the book to make a sampler of one's own. There are birds, flowers, leaves, a trout, and a small bird's nest in the upper right hand corner that I found especially appealing. I have already executed one of the dragon fly designs on a quilt block and am very happy with the results.
Again, I love this book. It is beautiful, informative, and most of all, inspiring. It will be influencing my work for a long time to come.

This book divides the projects by color. There are many advanced techniques included and good directions and patterns. I would have liked to have seen more furry fauna, but the bugs and the owl are very nice. The flowers are outstanding., Many of them seem to be S. African.

I like it that the projects are divided by color. The patterns and directions are clear and easy to follow.
The flowers are beautiful.

Just the ideas I love. Informal and lovely. So many illustrations which engage the mind and spirit. I can see wall hangings and small items. All enspired my this great publication.
Busselton Possom

It is really a great book, full of ideas and inspiration. It has some patterns for the projects. It doesn't disapoint, am glad i purchased the book.

Loved this book. I have had the pleasure of being in a class with Lesley when some of the items in this book were being taught. Great fun.