Borders & Motifs

This innovative new series provides numerous hand-stitched motifs* for embellishing, upcycling and revamping clothes, accessories and fabric items around the home. Simply choose a design from one of the 32 stitched samplers provided, transfer it to your chosen item using the corresponding iron-on transfer sheet at the back of the book, and add hand stitching following the instructions provided. There are notes on the materials and basic techniques used at the start of the book, and with just ten simple embroidery stitches to choose from, all with clear, step-by-step diagrams, even those new to stitching will be able to tackle all the designs provided. Clear instructions accompany each motif, with information on the DMC thread colours and the embroidery stitches used. Throughout, however, the reader is encouraged to experiment with the designs and interpret them in their own style by using different colours and stitches. In addition, there is a range of inspiring project ideas showing how the designs can be used, making this a must-have resource for sewers of all abilities.
This book takes borders and motifs as its theme and contains over 80 designs that include flowers, butterflies, hearts and fairies in a broad range of styles. So whether you are looking for a small, dainty flower to decorate a child's dress, or a large, bold heart to add impact to a bag or jacket, you will find something in this book that matches your item perfectly.
*All the motifs have appeared previously in The Design Library and Design Source Book series, both published by Search Press.

Michaela Learner has worked as a freelance embroiderer, needlecrafter and designer for many years. A practitioner of surface stitching, she uses a range of decorative techniques including freestyle stitchery, blackwork, hardanger, cross stitch and pulled thread work. She writes articles for magazines and part works, and is one of the designers for the leading embroidery-thread manufacturer DMC. Michaela lives in Cardiff.