Stumpwork (Essential Stitch Guides) Spiral-bound – August 1, 2011

I know nothing at all about stump work , but I saw on tv an antique program with a mirror frame done in Jacobean stump work and was intrigued ; Then I met a girl at a party who'd just made a small delightful bee in stump work and I was hooked . So I bought the book and it is very clear and straightforwards : all is explained , so you can get started on projects or work out your own ideas . I find that it is better to start with something small , try out the technique and then get bolder . But that is me , so you do what you want . The only drawback with the technique , not with the book , is that you need a lot of little stuff like beads and things . It is a good idea to start collecting the kind of thing you will need in cheaper stores or in yardsales , or even in toy stores . I never knew beads and glitter and even metal wire could cost so much , but that aside . The book starts with the history of stump work , showing a neat raised work casket and an example of a looking glass border . Those two are just the two projects I've been thinking about , so that was a hit with me . then it goes to the chapter on materials , the same ones you use in gold work or in plain embroidery ( then you need to buy the metal threads and wires ) . If you don't have an embroidery frame , then you'll need one for stump work , it is essential . But if need be , you can make one yourself out of an old sturdy frame . The design of stump work , where the images form a narrative can be contemporary or in the ' old naïve style of the 17th century , again you have a choice . Then you see a small chapter on placing the design, one of painting in the colors in the background to end with the stitches : as the book says , you get all the essential stitches explained in a clear , compact style . Then you see the essential techniques : the different sorts of padding ,( stitched , felt , string , Vilene - old style is cardboard -padding ) slips , those are separate pieces of embroidery like needlelace or a wired insect , wrapping of beads , and how to use ' found objects ' on your work . The small book is a fountain of information , certainly for beginners and maybe also for others . I recommend it with pleasure .

Whilst in the Colonies stitchers are busily recreating 17th Century English stumpwork to paste on wooden boxes, what is the upper crust at RSN engaged in? The same. Not that Monarchy. THIS Monarchy. Vive la Reine!A marriage of two great British traditions, humor and embroidery, this book is exquisitely funny.First up--The contents of a girl's own kit (in no discernible order).Item: Pliers. Good idea, I think to myself, even better than a thimble and I have just the pair of needle-nose pliers.See that little red ball on the cover of the book? The apple? It's a wooden bead wrapped with red ribbon. In the book we see long slender fingers commencing to wrap. One broken needle, yards, or rather, meters and meters of ribbon, 3 beads on, I got it. Pleased as Punch, I was. I discarded the needle nose pliers for a pair of manly grippers. Vive le difference!Next, a leaf for my little red apple. A RAISED leaf. A wired fabric slip it's called. The first example explained is prefaced with a cautionary "fairly time-consuming to make..." No such disclaimer with the 2nd example, and besides, it is made with silk organza so I can see through the fabric. Length of my wire to cover was about 2-1/2 inches, less than 7 cm. It took me 2 hours. So, we'll just leave that to lie for a wee bit and move on.An aside, as I find this vastly amusing.Pelmet vilene.Huh? Speak English please.Okay, on to the the face and the figure. Nice face. Really, a good face. I'm a little wary of the Pinocchio nose. There is a scalpel in the girl's own kit though, so maybe...The figure. What is this outlandish costume? Not quite a cardigan, but almost. Leggings? Ballerina slippers? Below the knee skirt. Shall I tell thee? Ballerina length.The scene where it's all happening is an interior landscape with chimney smoke, snails, courronnes, insects and a bird. There is a table with a pelmet vilene vase. The moon and spangle stars. It's all cluttered and quirky, just like...wait for it...just like those 17th Century scenes.O Kate! Kate, what a gift you are. (Not THAT one.) Kate SINTON.

Stumpwork, the art of raising figures and motifs from the surface of decorative embroidery has been practiced since Elizabethan times. It is embroidery that is personal and quirky as embroiderers incorporate found objects into the work as well as using layered applique techniques. The RSN book provides thorough instruction in all forms of stumpwork, linking the stitch instructions to various projects, traditional and modern, large and small.As with all RSN books, the quality of the instruction and the photographs of the various steps are clear, concise and top-notch. Even multi-stepped, multi-layered techniques are broken down into manageable segments that anyone with minimal embroidery experience could follow. This book provides enough instruction and direction that the embroiderer could begin incorporating stumpwork elements into work after one moderately comprehensive reading of the book. This is my first RSN book and I am definitely a convert. No surprise that the most famous embroidery school in the world puts out an excellent instructional product, but it is still good information to have. Recommended for the novice to intermediate stumpworker.

I already have a couple of RSN books and a couple of on-line courses. This book was a disappointment because it was smaller, with smaller photos and diagrams and the layout is confusing. Beginner projects aren't that enticing. Stump work was developed in the Victorian age as needleworkers revived raised embroidery. Artists today have taken it to new heights making beautiful 3D figures of insects and other creatures. I will keep looking for a book that will teach me that.

¸Reçu en excellente condition. Contient d'excellentes idées pour la broderie en relief.

great technique reference book as starts you off if you haven't done stumpwork . Love the part on the human body.

Having this knowledge at my finger tips has given me the confidence to try something new and include this information in my designs.

Love these books. Detail and pictures are so helpful. I will be collection all of the RSN books for my collection.