Blissful Beginnings

Tear-out pattern sheets with full-size patterns included
Useful hints and tips will be appreciated by new and experienced embroiderers alike
The book includes a comprehensive illustrated stitch glossary

sewingisforgirls.blogspot.com

Aug 13

'Blissful Beginnings' is a stunning book of beautiful embroidered blankets for newborn babies and children originally published in Australia last year. What makes this book so sumptuous is the quality of the photos, the paper and the full size pattern sheets at the back as well as the beauty of the blankets. There are nine large pages of general instructions for beginners and intermediate embroiders such as preparing the fabric and thread, using a hoop, finishing your embroidery and a full colour glossary guide to 31 stitches. There are six pages of general advice which apply to all the blankets in the book which are clear and easy to follow. There are seven blankets in total with three extra projects including 'blocks' which tie-in with one of them. One of the issues which used to put me off free-form embroidery was wondering how to get the illustration onto the fabric. This book has many ingenious solutions - pin the paper onto the blanket and stitch in white cotton around the edges of the design to guide you is just one. Then you just put it in a hoop and fill in the outline with embroidery stitches as guided. The threads are clearly labelled at the start of the project alphabetically and full colour photographs guide you carefully through the blanket project. I really love the designs in this book - I think they are timeless classics and will impress hugely as a gift for a new arrival. If you are new to embroidery you will need to really want to stitch the blankets but you will soon feel encouraged and safe with this glossy well thought-out book. You will treasure the book as much as the child will their blanket.