Japanese Motifs in Stumpwork & Goldwork

Jane Nicholas presents 12 designs created with various combinations of goldwork, plus raised and surface stitching. With motifs ranging from butterflies and insects, to Japanese plants and flowers, the designs are stunning, while measuring just 10cm square. Pieces are worked on Japanese kimono fabrics and the book includes a history of Japanese family crests, a stitch dictionary and techniques section.

Jane Nicholas is one of the world’s leading embroiderers. Her exquisite embroideries in goldwork and stumpwork are inspired by Japanese family crests, a subject that has fascinated her for many years. In her forthcoming book, Jane introduces 12 designs interpreting them thorugh goldwork and raised surface stitching. The projects feature an array of motifs, from butterflies and other insects to Japanese plants and flowers. Measuring just 10 cm square, each is works on an assortment of silk Japanese kimono fabrics and accompanied by details instructions, a stitch diagram and the outline for the design.

This book, which features gorgeous projects, comes across as much more detailed in instruction, with visuals that make the book very accessible, even if you have not had experience with either goldwork or stumpwork. The projects in the book are beautiful. Each one reflects Jane’s touch and style (yes, we do get the whimsical bug here and there!).…. We move into techniques that include the preliminaries, like preparing your ground fabric, transferring your design, working with wire, various goldwork and stumpwork techniques, and all the foundational instruction you need in order to complete any of the projects. This section is a goldmine, whether you’re working the projects in the book or not. They’re full of useful tips on setting up any kind of similar project. You’ll learn a lot here, whether you plan to embroidery one of the designs or you just plan to soak up some inspiration from them.The instruction is delivered via lots of diagrams (and text), with close-up photos of the embroidered section that’s being covered, so that you can see the method and techniques in the diagram, along with the desired outcome in the photo.

Jane Nicholas is one of the world’s leading embroiderers and has worked in the field for over 30 years, specializing in stumpwork and goldwork. She has written ten books and has contributed widely to journals and magazines. She teaches in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US, and continues to research and develop new techniques, particularly in stumpwork. In 2005, Jane was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM), for her ‘services to hand embroidery as an artist, teacher and author’. Jane lives in New South Wales, Australia.