Anchor Complete Embroidery Course

Want to become an expert embroiderer, capable of working with every form of stitch, tool, and design? Then take this complete course! It offers a thorough guide to fabric, transferring patterns, templates, frames, and mounting the project. There's a "start up" package of stitches -- including backstitch, French knots, lazy daisy, and more -- to practice on fantastic projects like samplers, place mats, and decorated shoes. You'll learn to do it all!

Once the baby-boomer generation begins to retire en masse, there may be a major renaissance in the needle arts as well as in the heartier outdoor avocations. When the surge in interest occurs, or even before, British stitcher and kit designer Marsh has created a great place to start learning. Every process is assigned its own photographic or illustrative step-by-step showcase; the use of transfer pencils or act of mounting, for instance, rates treatment to that given each type of stitch. What's more, all methods are accompanied by a "verdict," or list of pros and cons. Even the nearly 30 patterns contain options in threads and fabrics, as well as handy hints. Although the motifs are simple, and at times uninspiring, most are easy to embellish and embroider. Barbara Jacobs