Sewing machine embroidery, though beginning as a craft in the mid-19th century, enjoyeed real popularity from the 1890's into the 1920's, then suffered a decline. A few women in the 1950's discovered the form and disseminated the techniques through classes. Interest remained limited and entered another renaissance in the 1970's, lasting until the domination of the passive computer-based machines in the 1990's. This book has a copyright date of 1985. It is a British book, meaning it is beautifully hardbound with high quality paper. The only drawback from books published in this period is that most, like this, have only a limited number of color photos. Photoillustration has come a long, long way since this book.
At the time a relatively recent phenomenon, disappearing backing materials are the main focus of this book. As this was a new art form to most readers back then, the initial chapters in the book explain and illustrate freehand machine embroidery, along with technical requirements for beginning. I have no idea whether the passive embroidery machines use this technique, but some amazing results are available freehand by using a base material, such as vanishing muslin, that will disappear leaving only the threadwork. There are chapters dealing with chemical lace versus vanishing muslin, water-soluble fabric, and the use of net for the base material. There is even a chapter on the use of multilayer see-through fabrics. There is separate treatment on the use of pulled thread by machine, and cutwork.
The final chapter deals with the progression from a design to the completed artwork, reinforcing that all of us can create beauty in its various forms, and that we all do not have to be great painters to express our artistic ability in fiber art.
I do, at times, feel like the lone voice in the wilderness with these reviews. I do also hope that sharing books in my personal library is of interest to at least some of you. Nothing could satisfy me more than finding I'd pried someone away from those predigested embroidery machines, to be liberated into the world of freehand. This is not necessarily the best book for a complete beginner, though it could function as that. For someone wishing to see demonstrations of alternative freehand methods, this is a very good book, black and white photos notwithstanding.
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Thank you for reviewing this book. I didn't even realize freehand machine embroidery was so popular before the 1980s. You have renewed my interest in this art form!
"I do, at times, feel like the lone voice in the wilderness with these reviews....Nothing could satisfy me more than finding I'd pried someone away from...to be liberated into the world of freehand". I do find your reviews interesting; however, for me there is a negative "tone" to them and your criticism of passive/predigested embroidery machines comes across loud & clear. Perhaps you might consider that there is room in the world for both art forms?
Flying Seamstress: I am obviously not communicating effectively if I am not conveying the bright world of creativity in freehand work as opposed to the extremely restricted world of computer manipulated embroidery where the machine does the work. Perhaps you're not old enough to remember the paint by number craze that swept the US in the fifties. It was sad, because people who could have expressed themselves with true creativity were suddenly buyin these painting sets, with the predefined lines on canvas and little paint pots and following someone else's vision. I have watched dozens of demos of these new stitch machines, and I am delighted that they are keeping our manufacturers in business. The designs I see, every one of them, could easily be done by freehand with not much instruction. It's stuff I did 25 years ago, and can still do now. I never say never, but at least at this time, neither the computer screen nor the stitch machine can come close to what the artist's eye and a simple sewing machine can do. What's the artistry in buying pre-done computer images and having the machine stitch them? But you are probably right, it has done no good to take the effort of posting reviews to expose others to the possibilities of doing art without having to pad the pockets of Disney, etc. They will stop.
Please don't stop your reviews. I think the things you point out are wonderful. There are many creative people who love to learn about forgotten techniques. Just try to focus your review solely on the book and leave out any criticisms that do not pertain to the item you are reviewing.
John, I am always delighted to find that you have written a review. Your intelligent and detailed information is exciting and eye-opening. I am going to find a copy of this book! I have never done any embroidery of any kind, not even by hand, and would love to experiment with free hand.
I was sitting here feeling very uninspired this morning (maybe because of the time change) and then I read your review of this book. I do not own an embroidery machine and I know that I never will. I love the sense of accomplishment knowing that I did something by myself with as little help as possible. But that is just my personal feeling when it comes to sewing. I was happy to find a used copy of this book online just now and look forward to receiving it in the mail. Thank you for your wonderful review!
Johnr55, we are all entitled to our own personal creativity, whatever form it takes. I use pre-digested embroidery designs because the embroidery is merely an embellishment and I really couldn't care less about freehand embroidery. I appreciate that others do and are able to create works of art with freehand embroidery, but I'm not one of them. I prefer to express my creativity through sewing increasingly complex garments, and adding embroidery as embellishment, sort of like the icing on the cake. But that's just me. It's not that one is better than the other, it's merely different. So please don't assume we're all mindless sheep being exploited by the sewing machine industry when we're quite capable of deciding what we'd like to focus our talents and skills on. In the time it would take me to learn freehand embroidery I could be making a tailored jacket, or another dress utilising challenging techniques. I know what I'd rather be doing. I think others on this website know what they want to do, too.
Ryn V: what have you contributed to the library of reviews on this website, to enlarge the breadth of knowledge among members? I see from your profile that you have belonged for over a year, and what book reviews have you shared? None. I don't care a fig if you are too busy making complex garments of which you boast but do not show, not at all. I constantly hear from sewers who didn't even know they could do embroidery on their sewing machines. No one is forced to read the reviews I submit here, but at least I am submitting them. Why is it that those who snipe at someone's efforts are those who do not contribute themselves?
John, I was not sniping at your efforts, I was asking that you refrain from sniping at others who have different preferences than yours, that's all. It doesn't warrant my being attacked by you for my contribution or lack of contribution, as you point out in your superior summation. A frustrated, wannabe reviewer perhaps? Mate, I suggest you get a life and quick! I'm afraid I spend far too much of my time raising children, working at a paid job and sewing when I get a rare free moment to do much else, including visiting this website. You clearly have a lot of free time on your hands if you can be bothered reading my profile to see what I have or haven't contributed, time that I daresay could be spent in more productive and less petty pursuits. Get over yourself.
RynV-why did you come to this page in the first place? And I'm not your mate, thank God! Who appointed you a censor on this site, particularly since you don't contribute anything. Go back to your complex garments that are probably only in your mind. When I am not interested in something on this site, I simply don't visit. So why are you here?
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