The Stumpwork, Goldwork and Surface Embroidery Beetle Collection (Milner Craft Series) (Hardcover)

by Jane Nicholas (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
For anyone except a scientist, it is difficult at best to equate bugs and beetles with beauty. Yet for Australian needleworker Nicholas, this book is the culmination of a decades-long fascination with an insect that is more than 240 million years old. Using elegant illustrations, she details the anatomy first, then the various iterations of this many-legged bug, from its employment in jewelry to its collectability as part of a specimen box. Most impressive are the more than 70 patterns, including beetles executed in goldwork, applique, stump work, and surface embroidery--alone, in pairs, and posing with snails, pomegranates, crocus, clover, and a host of other natural beings. Perhaps the most charming? A series of beetle-shaped handbags, including a scarab pouch and a satin evening bag. At the end are very thorough explanations of stitches, techniques, and equipment; a bibliography and further reading; and stump-work suppliers and kit information. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description
For the ancient Egyptians the beetle symbolized life, rebirth, and immortality, and for centuries, artisans have used the scarab motif to adorn everything from textiles and jewelry to the tombs of kings. This definitive collection of beetle-themed designs offers instructions for using the 17th century art of raised stumpwork embroidery, the metallic threads of goldwork, and glittering beadwork to create lifelike designs. Hundreds of color and black-and-white illustrations will teach embroiderers all about the craft: tools and equipment needed, special beading techniques, creating dimensional designs with appliqué, mounting their images, and more.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Sally Milner Publishing; illustrated edition edition (May 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1863513183
• ISBN-13: 978-1863513180
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #290,100 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A treasured possession, April 10, 2004

By	pardalote (Tasmania) - See all my reviews

This book caught my eye in a shop window, with its beautiful array of beetles on the cover. The designs in the book are stunning, the instructions excellent, and the history and background section intriguing. There is a section with detailed instructions for all the stumpwork beetles on the cover (with stunning photos of the real life creatures), a short section of amazing projects incorporating the stumpwork crawlies, a section on flatwork beetles and a section with miscellaneous other beetle-related projects. The photography is excellent and even the pages are of the most gorgeous silky-strong paper... (I'm rambling!)
Despite being a keen cross-stitcher and beadworker, I had never tried stumpwork before buying this book. I was able to create my first beetle in an evening, with very pleasing results.
I can imagine myself returning to this book again and again for inspiration and to create more amazingly life-like beetles.
A must have for any keen embroiderer.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!, November 17, 2004

By	S. Harvie (Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you love the art of hand embroidery, you MUST own this breathtaking volume. The book itself is a work of art and worthy of a honored position on the coffee table. As a craft book it is flawless. The charming hand drawn instructions are easy to follow and include detailed materials lists. I own and love all of Ms. Nicholas's books, but this one is definitely the crowning glory, I can't wait to see what's next. I know I'm gushing, but really, buy it, you'll see!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As scientifically accurate as it is creatively packaged, December 9, 2004

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Part of the "Milner Craft Series", dedicated needlecrafts just won't find an embroidery book like Jane Nicholas' Stumpwork, Goldwork & Surface Embroidery Beetle Collection on any sewer's shelf: it is a unique guide sharing Jane Nicholas' method of using threads, fabrics and - yes - beetle wings to create lovely designs and projects in different embroidery forms. As scientifically accurate as it is creatively packaged, Embroidery Beetle Collection provides a large color photo of the beetle, scientific identifiers including order, suborder and family, and specific step-by-step instructions for reproducing it. An extraordinary, unique guide.