Beginner's Guide To Machine Embroidery
By Pam Watts

     Sewing machines aren't just for making clothes and soft furnishings, and if you believe that machine embroidery is the domain of expensive computerized models then think again. As long as your machine has a swing needle and can manage a zigzag then all you truly need are some scraps of fabric and threads. It is a great way of using up your odds and ends of threads and having fun too. This is largely a book for those who enjoy abstract work (although there are some representational pieces) but if this isn't your taste then Search Press also produces Machine Embroidered Landscapes by Alison Holt. Abstracts are great for incorporating into wearable art or soft furnishings so even if you don't fancy them adorning your walls this is still worth a look. You don't need to be an artist to produce something impressive and there is a love affair with color and texture within these pages; great if you love metallics like this reviewer!

     The book shows a Bernina machine at the front and this make is renowned for being as tireless as an industrial model and perfect for machine embroidery which tends to gives machines a bit of a bashing. The author claims that sewing machines love machine embroidery but mine doesn't, so go slowly at first if you are not a Bernina owner; just a warning. This being over, I enjoyed the way different chapters cover such topics as using muslin, incorporating cords and layers with other fabrics and adding paint. It shows what the different stitches can do and how any computerized model's pre-programmed patterns can be used wisely although there is not very much about this. There are instructions on how to use different feet, but with many of these you will need to buy extra such as the tailor tacking foot which produces delightful loops like carpet pile. There are quick and simple projects to work through to encourage you to have a go, which inspires others, and I applaud the fact that this is a craft where you can really use up all sorts of oddments and recycle things that might otherwise get binned into useful things like small bags and decorative ribbons for other projects. Pam Watts is adept at showing how easy and satisfying this craft is, and how it can be very simple or be taken as far as your imagination. Just take a tip from me before beginning and treat your machine gently; don't make any serious adjustments such as altering the tension on your bobbin case and do get it serviced regularly.

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