Читать книгу Animal Embroidery Workbook - Jessica Long - Страница 6

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Introduction

I’m so excited that you’ve decided to pick up my book and delve into the relaxing craft of hand embroidery. Stitching entered my life after the birth of my son as I was looking for a way to slow down, connect with my hands, and reduce anxiety. I had always found peace through art, but I found that the slow, meditative, and tactile experience of using needle and thread to create beauty was especially satisfying. Plus, tossing a hoop and thread in the diaper bag for some stitching at the park proved easier than packing an easel and oil paints. My goal is for my students to find the same joy and relaxation that I find when I am creating art through hand embroidery. I also hope that they have a lot of fun.

In college I wanted to be a natural history illustrator. Ultimately, I began a more traditional career working in a biotech lab, but my love of our natural world never faded. My doodles and paintings always heavily featured flora and fauna, and I never passed up an opportunity to visit a natural history museum or zoo. Thanks to life’s many surprises, I have become a full-time hand embroidery instructor and pattern designer. Now I can draw (and then stitch) all of my favorite creatures! Somehow my two loves have magically merged, and so I can delightfully present to you a book of hand embroidery animal patterns.

If you are new to hand embroidery, I suggest you begin with a small, simple pattern (found toward the front of the book) to help you gain confidence. You will get to practice my favorite hand embroidery stitches as you move through the book. The second half of the book utilizes long and short stitch (the name for a certain kind of stitch) to create thread paintings of animals. I tried to create some easy thread painting designs to again help you ease into the process so you can confidently tackle the projects near the end of the book.

I try to make designs that make people smile, and I only offer my suggestions here based on my personal experience. I hope you enjoy stitching the patterns included in this book and that you give yourself the time and space to make changes in order to have a more pleasant experience. I was terrified into paralysis when I first picked up hand embroidery. I was afraid that I was going to use the wrong materials, the wrong stitches, etc. Remember: it’s just cotton—what’s the worst that can happen? Our medium is forgiving and cheap, so don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Let go of any old ideas you have about hand embroidery. Try new things, experiment, and take a break if you get frustrated. Ultimately, with time and patience you will find a style and solutions that work for you. Hand embroidery is a slow art, and it teaches us to take it easy and be in the moment.


Animal Embroidery Workbook

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