Product Description
Sashiko - the traditional Japanese style of decorative quilting - has long been admired around the world. Unfortunately, the painstakingly slow process of stitching the motifs by hand and the start-and-stop hassles of stitching by machine have discouraged many of today's sewers from trying this ancient art. Now the process is easy with author Mary Parker's continuous machine sewing technique. Begin by preparing a pattern with heat transfer markers, then simply transfer the colour pattern onto a piece of temporary stabilizer or interfacing and then onto the back side of your fabric. Place sashiko thread in your bobbin and them simply sew over all of the lines in one colour. More than 100 designs are featured in a stitch dictionary, with each one shown as a photograph of a sewn sample and as a colour-coded pattern. The patterns are organized by level of difficulty and are accompanied by fascinating tidbits explaining their history and how they are formed. Complete, step-by-step instructions for 25 distinctive projects are included, most of which can be customized by choosing different patterns, fabrics, or specialty threads.Create your own custom fabrics with allover sashiko designs and then use the fabric to make unique wearables, or create incredible sampler bedspreads, wall quilts, and table runners using your favourites designs from the pattern dictionary. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not for beginners
I'm new to sashiko, and this book didn't offer much help. It has lots of designs and nice photographs, but the nitty gritty details (how to start/stop stitching, which needle to use, etc) were missing. When the author did offer specifics, she assumed the reader already knew the steps (she said to tie a square knot then a half hitch knot but didn't describe how). The author emphasized continuous machine stitching, yet most of the designs featured parallel lines. Doesn't that mean a lot of starting and stopping? The projects were attractive, but there were few step-by-step illustrations for how to make them.

In short, if you're an experienced sewist, you'll probably get more out of this book than I did. If you're a beginner, you might enjoy reading about the history of sashiko and seeing the beautiful designs, but you won't feel ready to start sewing them. ... Read more

Product Description
With the emphasis on the fun aspects of learning, this book is full of ideas for creating beautiful embroidered effects. Many of the patterns are based on two straightforward stitches which can be as easily accomplished by the beginner as by the more advanced embroiderer. The techniques of applique and quilting are covered in detail, together with many imaginative ideas on embroidery for the home and for clothes and accessories. As well as the more traditional fabrics suitable for embroidery, innovative and unusual suggestions for alternative materials are offered. A final section devoted to solving common problems as they arise, together with lists of suggested reading and suppliers, complete this book. ... Read more

Product Description
This report was created for global strategic planners who cannot be content with traditional methods of segmenting world markets. With the advent of a "borderless world", cities become a more important criteria in prioritizing markets, as opposed to regions, continents, or countries. This report covers the top 2000 cities in over 200 countries. It does so by reporting the estimated market size (in terms of latent demand) for each major city of the world. It then ranks these cities and reports them in terms of their size as a percent of the country where they are located, their geographic region (e.g. Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America, Latin America), and the total world market.

In performing various economic analyses for its clients, I have been occasionally asked to investigate the market potential for various products and services across cities. The purpose of the studies is to understand the density of demand within a country and the extent to which a city might be used as a point of distribution within its region. From an economic perspective, however, a city does not represent a population within rigid geographical boundaries. To an economist or strategic planner, a city represents an area of dominant influence over markets in adjacent areas. This influence varies from one industry to another, but also from one period of time to another.

In what follows, I summarize the economic potential for the world's major cities for "Schiffli machine embroidery" for the year 2009. The goal of this report is to report my findings on the real economic potential, or what an economist calls the latent demand, represented by a city when defined as an area of dominant influence. The reader needs to realize that latent demand may or may not represent real sales. ... Read more

Product Description
Celtic Embroidery takes its inspiration from the visual elements of Celtic imagery - the fine manuscripts, metalwork, and stone sculpture with spirals, knots and interlacings. It explores simple design techniques and methods of stitching, which can be used to translate the richness of the Celtic imagery into fabric and thread using machine embroidery. Lavishly illustrated with over 70 colour photographs, the book covers: Celtic knots, from simple knot patterns on paper to computer-aided design, along with stitching instructions to transform the design into embroidery for panels, bags, tassels and other items. Plaits and twists, using cut-and-twist methods and free machine techniques that can be built up into entire fabrics or used as braids. Key patterns and geometry. Key patterns are combined with knots, spirals and lettering. Plus new materials, such as thermoplastics, are introduced. ... Read more

Product Description
With Machine Embroidery; anyone can learn to use a simple zigzag sewing machine to create beautiful decorative stitching. Step-by-step instructions demonstrate the many effects possible with machine embroidery, from basic straight stitches to exciting free-motion embroidery. Detailed projects include a lovely quilted bedspread, a silk lampshade, and a charming fairy doll, with helpful illustrations and gorgeous color photographs to guide and inspire even novice embroiderers. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a DRM free eBook

Table of Contents

Custom Embroidery; a Great Gift for Your Love Ones!
The Basic Embroidery Stitches and Your Project
Crewel Embroidery Made Easy
Things You Ought to Know About Embroidery Stitches
Things to Consider in Making Hand Embroidery
The Different Types of Embroidery Thread
Embroidery Supplies for Hand and Machine Embroidering
Embroidery Patterns and Your Embroidery Project
What to Look For In Embroidery Hoops
Perfect Craftsmanship Starts with The Right Embroidery Floss
Enjoy Paper Embroidery; Add Fun to Nondescript Items
How to Create Beautiful Embroidery Greeting Cards
Ribbon Embroidery; Embroidery that Embodies Romance
Have Fun with Silk-Ribbon Embroidery
Embroidery Floss Bracelets; the Friendship Bracelets!
Free Embroidery Designs
Where to Find Free Embroidery Patterns
Finding and Choosing Great Embroidery Designs
Disney Embroidery Designs; Where and How to Find the Best Ones!
Getting to Know Brazilian Embroidery
How to Have a Successful Bead Embroidery Project
How to Get the Best Deals on Your Embroidery Kits
Embroidery Machines; Making Embroidery Easier for You!
Finding Great Deals on Used Embroidery Machines
Embroidery Software thats Right for You
... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
This handbook offers complete instructions on sewing machines with machine embroidery components, and takes the reader through scanners and computer capabilities. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

all computerized=embroidery?
For on-line buyers, it's nice book to use if you have a embroidery machine, not just a computerized machine.the title is a bit misleading because not all computerized machines can perform the task which embroidery machines can do.Besides, the book seems to advocate mostly not only on the top of the line machines but also softwares as well.For those alreay own a embroidery machine, softwares, and special scanner, I doubted that they would run out of ideas and need help from this book.

An excellient source for Embroidery Machine Ideas
I first borrowed this book from the local library and have used it so much, I have decided to purchase it for myself. I am a sewing instructor and I have recommended it to all of my friends and students who own thecomputerized embroidery/sewing machines. The book is full of fun and usefulprojects and can be used with any of the machines.If you have an EmbroideryMachine I know you will not be disapointed with this book. ... Read more

Product Description
The masters of ribbon embroidery, Duncan and Farrell, have designed 30 great new projects for crafters of all skill levels. From simple ornaments to an exquisite shawl, these projects are sure to intrigue anyone who has ever wanted to learn this fascinating technique. 350 color photos & illustrations.Amazon.com Review
If you love the look of ribbon embroidery but want to speed upthe process, try creating it by machine. It takes only a straightstitch and no special techniques, so with any sewing machine you canmaster the chain, lazy daisy, French knot, blanket, and many otherstitches, then whip up projects for year-round use: spring dresses,summer hats, an autumn vest, a winter scarf, plus seasonally appropriatewall hangings, pillows, ornaments, note cards, and more. Or, combineany of the three dozen stitches explained in the illustrated stitchguide to design your own embroidered pieces. --Amy Handy ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Wonderful reference
This book is a wonderful reference for many heirloom techniques.The instructions are clear with pictures to illustrate.Between this book and the forum on Martha Pullen's web site, I might just pull out that expected christening gown, lol.

Excellent Book on Heirloom Sewing Techniques
Excellent, excellent book!! The instructions and illustrations on techniques such as windowpane motifing, pintucking and Battenberg applications are superb. I have completed the Williamsburg Daygown with Front Lace shaping and insert and it turned out beautifully. This is one of the best books on Heirloom Sewing I have come across in a long time. Having learned these techniques by word of mouth many years ago, I have been on a quest to locate a book that provides the same quality of insight on a sewing form that is slowly being forgotten. Now I have something I can pass along to my children and grandchildren! I highly recommend it as an acquisition for those seriously considering heirloom sewing.

Brought me back to a time of lost beauty and quality sewing.
With Martha Pullen's research, this book is incredably historical to the time of the early 1900's. It is both beautiful and inspiring. As someone with experience in this type of sewing, I have found it to give meinspiration. It has been a springboard to design my own Christening andBlessing dresses in the heirloom style. I was taught these things at my owngrandmother's knee and had forgotten the beauty of fine sewing. Sewing hasgotten caught up in the hustle and bustle of how quickly it can becompleted. These items do not show the lost art that demands that theseitems be passed on generation to generation as they were in the past. Ihope to inspire others in my area to appreciate, even if only byobservation, this precious and almost lost art when they see the results ofmy work as inspired by Martha's skills, enthusiasm, and requirement ofquality.

Big and Beautiful!!!
This book is amazing!It's nice enough to be a coffee table book, and it actually is useful!The accompanying patterns are easy to read.It isn't too helpful for beginners, but it sure gets them interested!!

Beautiful book of heirloom sewing.All patterns included.
Martha has done a wonderful job of including beautiful heirloom sewing with all directions and patterns included.The pictures are breathtaking!This is not a good book for the beginner, however,- some heirloom sewingexperience is necessary. But, its a great way to get inspired! And itsHUGE! ... Read more