The project is on the front of the book, a circular picture showing the seasons all blending into each other with their associated flora and fauna. This is a very user-friendly book for a fairly complex subject, and takes away much of the mystique that always seems to surround it. The staged diagrams show that it is all perfectly possible with a little effort, and the photography of fine details is excellent. I particularly like the way that beside each stitch there are several close-ups of the parts of the picture which use the stitch, so you can see what it looks like. The complex needlelace and raised stitches lose most of their secrets too, with a combination of photographs and diagrams. Each part of the whole is described in detail, showing what stitches and materials to use and there are some interesting ones! This is not a book necessitating a large outlay, and if you embroider you will have much of what you need already. Gloving leather, scraps of wood and even an egg box come into play, and you can see why this was traditionally the final craft mastered by young ladies, as it is challenging but fun; a reward after learning all the plainer forms of stitchery. I would not recommend this book for a total beginner, but anybody who is au fait with at least one type of embroidery ought not to have too much trouble attempting this project, or picking out parts of it for their own work. A good book on a difficult subject.

If you cannot find embroidery materials locally try SearchPress.com for a list of suppliers.