Helen M. Stevens' Embroidered Flowers (The Masterclass Embroidery Series)

Share the secrets of a talented textile artist as she reveals how to recreate the splendor of nature in thread. Featuring lovely designs and projects, a basic techniques section, and a generous selection of color charts, templates, photos, and illustrations.

A master class, by its very name, infers that a professional of no mean accomplishment is by your side, guiding and directing and correcting your work. Although the much-published Stevens, author of Myth and Magic of Embroidery (1999) and Timeless Art of Embroidery (1997), seems sincere in her intent, her efforts somehow fall short of measure. Far too many words are used to describe five different scenarios: fields and meadows, cottage garden, waysides, woodland glades, and the riverside. And although the five projects are well documented and well explained, from the ready-to-transfer templates to the upfront notation of stitches, stitchers are left wanting--a personal stitch-by-stitch documentary, actual illustration of techniques, and so on. Nonetheless, these are impressive lessons from an impressive teacher. A list of suppliers is appended. Barbara Jacobs
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