The Art of Bead Embroidery

About Margaret Lee

Rachel A Hyde

Take your embroidery and beadwork to new levels with this book on Japanese bead embroidery.  This is a beautiful large format book produced by Australian embroidery magazine Inspirations.  Expect the usual high standard and nine stunning projects as well as an accessible approach to learning this very different method of embroidering with beads.  If you are used to the Western way be prepared to need some extra equipment: a slate frame, laying tool and special wooden bobbins for example.  The methods involve some unfamiliar techniques which need to be mastered before you tackle any of the projects.  The book stays obligingly flat while you pore over the written instructions, backed up by some clear drawn diagrams on using the bobbins, laying tool etc as well as the stitches.  The large pages lend themselves to an airy, well laid out appearance which is a help when learning something so unfamiliar; by now you will realize that beginner embroiderers (and beaders) would be better staying away.  This is very much a book for the experienced stitcher who wants a challenge and the rewards are certainly impressive.  The nine projects are beautiful and each one has several large photographs showing their final appearance as well as ample written instructions.  There are no diagrams for these (all the learning takes place in the first section) but a helpful page lists everything you need as well as the techniques used, learning points, sequence of working and more.  Pictures, various types of bag, spectacle case and a wedding pillow all have their patterns on a detachable sheet at the back of the book and construction methods are also given.  At the back are two case studies of projects where printed fabric was decorated with beadwork, plus a blank planning template for your own use.  This book is a rare opportunity for the more experienced embroiderer to learn a largely unknown style of embroidery