All that Glitters by Alison Cole.
This book has an overlap of both goldwork embroidery and stumpwork embroidery. Its captivating designs are well executed and glorious.
All That Glitters features sections on Basic Supplies, Requirements, Stitches, Techniques and Projects.
ISBN: 1844483134.
Published Date: 03/11/2007.
Pages: 136.
Full Title: All That Gltters by Alison Cole.
Publisher: Alison Cole.
With full colour, photographic illustrations.
Reviews
Machine Knitting Monthly Mar 08 Here's a stunning collection of projects featuring the techniques of goldwork and stumpwork. We discover how to combine both techniques with beautiful results with sections on all the materials required, the stitches and techniques. Projects range from dimensional framed pieces to functional items all with clear, easy-to-read instructions plus illustrations and colour photographs.
Meg-online Sept 08 This lavish book shows the authors passion for both Stumpwork and Goldwork, which would be an inspiration to any stitcher. The first chapter covers all the basic supplies for starting to sew and includes information on frames, hoops, fabrics, padding and metal threads. These are clearly shown with excellent photographs of different varieties of gold thread making it easy to identify the contrasting colours and textures involved. There is even a section with good advice about framing the finished pieces. All the traditional Goldwork techniques are well photographed and lead beautifully into the projects so that the work is easy to understand. An inspiring technical and creative book for beginners and acomplished embroiderers.
Pentacle Summer 2008 This is a sumptuous book. Alison Cole's love of Stumpwork and Goldwork guides and inspires. All supplies needed to start with this craft is covered within the first chapter and you are shown the different textures and types of thread with colour photographs. There is a good collection of projects to complete so that you can practice the different techniques described. I am sure that this will be inspirational and can see some techniques being used on cloths and other spiritual items – I can imagine some Egyptian style designs would be wonderful for goldwork.
Maria Malo Sew Today June 08 This is a project-based book and whilst the primary focus is Goldwork, the author's passion for both Goldwork and Stumpwork is evident through the diverse range of stunning projects featured. They vary from dimensional framed pieces to functional items all with clear, easy to read instructions, illustrations and colour photographs. There are also sections on basic supplies and requirements including paddings, fabrics and frames whilst stitches and techniques refer to transferring designs, brick stitch couching, overcasting and much more. It is a very impressive book that is written in a clear concise way and is full of practical advice and tips that will appeal to anyone with an interest in thesse forms of hand embroidery.
West Country Embroiderers Winter 08 A fascinating book, most aptly named, featuring both Goldwork and Stumpwork. All the projects are beautifully illustrated in colour, with clear instructions and detailed lists of requirements. This is an excellent book for all skill levels with the basic stitches and techniques fully explained. It will inspire both beginners and experienced embroiderers. Alison is a truly gifted writer.
Jill Keat, St Stephens-in-Brannel www.myshelf.com March 08 No embroidery has quite the lush, rich appeal of goldwork, but many embroiderers never attempt it because they think that it is too difficult, too expensive and not easy to find out about. There are not many books on the subject around, so another one is always welcome, especially when it is as beautiful as this one. This book covers stumpwork too, another style of embroidery associate with the more advanced stitcher. Neither is for the beginner to decorative stitchery, but then who said all how-to books have to be for beginners? This one is not, although it is aimed at somebody who wants to learn goldwork and covers all you need to know in an easy-to-follow format. Find out what you need (which is not cheap or very easy to obtain) and off you go, getting to know the unfamiliar materials (which are not used for any other type of embroidery) and learning the stitches associated with this unique craft. There are plenty of projects to try, and lots of smaller things to make so you can learn while you work on something you will want to keep. The handsome photographs and simple diagrams really bring this subject to life, reminding me why it will always be my own favorite type of embroidery. One for the keeper shelf.
www.thequiltingweb.com April 08 I realise this is not a Patchwork and Quilting book but I also know that many of you are interested in other forms of needlecraft. This book is for those who do Goldwork - it is has wonderful photographs or wonderful work and I am sure would be a very good edition to the book collection of those of you who do Goldwork.
www.workshopontheweb.com March 08 This is a 'how to do' book, covering the basics of goldwork. There are sections on supplies and requirements, stitches and techniques and, finally, projects for readers to follow, using the techniques. The materials are clearly described and the photography is reasonable, allowing you to see the techniques and stitches used. It's all well explained and the diagrams are clear. The projects are a little 'twee' and it's fair to say that they don't 'stretch the boundaries'. However, there are lots of little tricks and tips in this section, which are helpful when building up an embroidery, and you can always tweak these by taking elements from each. Some of the photos in the Projects section are a little dark.
Bead Society of Great Britain Spring 2008 This is a beautifully presented project book combining two traditional embroidery techniques – goldwork and stumpwork. The quality of the photographs is very high and makes it tempting to rush off and start on a project immediately. I thought the Stitching and Techniques sections were particularly clear and helpful, and technically good. It should be possible with some previous knowledge of embroidery to embark on any of the projects and follow it through to completion. However, if you are new to these two techniques, you will need to refer back to the stitching and techniques regularly. Although the book is Australian, most of the materials used are available in this country. There are ten different projects to try. As you would expect they are mainly for framed embroideries, but also include a clutch purse, with instructions and templates for making it up, and a large violet wool shawl lined with silk and decorated with goldwork flowers, which should be stunning. This book only uses beads as such in one or two projects. Instead it uses purls, which are tightly wrapped wire spirals, available in a wide variety of sizes, finishes and a mouth-watering selection of colours as well as gold, silver and copper. Purls can be cut to any length and stitched to the background as one would with a bead. A textured alternative to a bead! This would be a good investment for those who like to explore new ways of working with a different type of bead (purl) and have come to beadwork from an embroidery background. The book uses some new materials in experimental ways, such as cake wires and brass wire mesh, particularly in creating three dimensional stumpwork. And I am sure a variety of beads could in incorporated into the embroideries to further enhance the finished piece. Carolyn Gayton