Designer Bead Embroidery

Aug 07

With this handy book you can add a unique touch to clothing, accessories and household items such as cushions, throws and more. Designs for Bead Embroidery contains 150 designs where each one has a close-up colour photograph, clear stitching diagram, a recipe of materials and beads required and the method of working. There should be a design for whatever you are looking for with a wide range of themes such as flowers, shells, insects, zodiac, music, as well as an art nouveau style alphabet perfect for monograms.

The book gives all the techniques and stitches used within the motifs and descriptions of all the beads plus methods for attaching beads. There is a comprehensive section on the different approaches for working with clothing which is very useful for dressmakers and costumiers with tips on how to deal with seams and darts, collars and cuffs. There is advice on making appliques which means you do not have to stitch directly onto the item you have in mind and how to use frames and hoops for a professional finish to your work.

For projects large or small this inspirational book will provide a motif that will bring sparkle and a luxurious look to your work.

Oct 06

Designs for Bead Embroidery shows you a wide range of motifs that could inspire you to design your own or to use the ones in this book to add glamour to your favorite clothing, accessories or for example bathroom towels or handkerchiefs. You could also personalize any of these items to show a friend just how much you care. These are not your average designs and you can definitely see the brilliant designer behind them. What I really appreciated was, that although these are couture designs the tools used are small and the beads and fabrics are rather easy and affordable to pay. This book is a very nice reference when wanting to chose a motif to glamourize that favorite piece of fabric.

Oct 06

The author started making beaded evening clothes 20 years ago and could not find any good books on the subject, so he has written one which is full of excellent advice about techniques and design with beads. His diagrams are clear and easy to follow. Sections include alternative methods such as sewing machining, tambour work and even using glue to achieve the desired effect. Although he includes 150 designs as examples, he does encourage the reader to experiment and they are indeed a great basis for further development. There are comprenhensive chapters on Equipment and techniques, a stitch library and a themed section on designs. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in the development of skills in beading.

Nov 06

Revamp that tired old top, add pizzazz to a boring bag or start from scratch and show everybody that you are a second Norman Hartnell with this lovely book. As the author states in his introduction, this is just about plain old sewing beads onto a base fabric with a needle and thread, so you don't need much to get started on this...

...But it is just so addictive! I find it the most enjoyable and relaxing form of embroidery there is, and sorting through all those scrumptious beads, sequins and rhinestones after a hard day is a new form of yoga, I am sure. It isn't even difficult to do, and there are 150 patterns and techniques in here to get you started. The author kicks off with the usual guide to what to buy, and then it is on with grounding in how to plan your work. Make adornments for collars, cuffs and belts and showing them on the pattern pieces is great for dressmakers, the main audience for this book. Find out how to work with frames and hoops, care for your embellished garments and find out how to transfer patterns. There is a library of stitches (not many to learn) and then a luscious pattern section with lots of designs for all occasions from Christmas to musical instruments, flowers, designs from other countries and times, an alphabet, borders and more. Looking at the way the patterns are drawn up and the sort of beads chosen is a great help when starting to design this sort of thing, and it is easy to obtain great results just using a few simple stitches to attach the beads and other items. At the back is a glossary of all the types of bead, sequin and rhinestone used with illustrations plus one international shipper listed for materials. This is such a useful, attractive and user-friendly book that even if you do buy it for somebody as a present, it probably won't leave your keeper shelf!

Winter 07

This book is mostly aimed at bead embroidery for fashion and accessories. Kenneth King has worked most of his life in the fashion world and it shows! The working patterns and the instructions are meticulously recorded with detailed sections on equipment and materials. The stitch library section has good diagrams and text on many ways to attach beads to fabric, some of which will be new to us folk who have never gone into bead embroidery very thoroughly. The designs themselves are well documented with the type of beads needed, the stitches involved and even the amount of beads required for each motif. I found some of the designs unappealing, preferring the daintier ones near the end of the book. There is an excellent bead index with every bead you will ever need and more displayed along with it's name and colour. This is a great book if you are contemplating exploring bead embroidery more deeply than sewing a few sequins/beads on a piece of work. Undoubtedly a book written by an expert in his field.

Sheila Rabbetts, St Stephen-in-Brannel

Issue 45

If you're like me and enjoy embellishing your quilt more than you like the piecing and applique, then this is the perfect book for you. This is a super book packed with over 150 couture designs for borders, backgrounds, motifs, edgings and fringes using simple techniques. The designs cover various subjects and include some beautiful butterfly designs, seashells, flowers, lettering, musical notations and much more.

The instructions for each motif are clearly set out with clear diagrams showing type and placement of stitches and beads. Kenneth explains some of the key skills required, including transferring designs, methods for beaded applique and direct application. The book also includes a handy stitch library with step-by-step instructions for all the embroidery stitches you will need.

What more could you want except beads, beads and even more beads!

Feb/Mar 08

This book seems perfect for anyone looking for bead embroidery motifs to add to clothing or other fabric. With over 150 different designs, ranging from floral to musical instruments, we loved the variety it contained. The book features good, clear stitch instruction, including lots on turning your motifs into finished items of clothing and patterns which could be photocopied and transferred.