Crewel Birds by Hazel Blomkamp

Jacobean embroidery takes flight...

In this fourth title in Hazel Blomkamp's series on crewel embroidery with a twist, the focus is on farm and game birds. The birds give a nod to current trends, most notably the Zentangle look with crewel-style filling-in stitches and techniques. Crewel Birds is a celebration of Hazel's signature techniques: a wide variety of surface/crewel stitches, some of which are brand new and many with a different take or different ways of combining stitches to make them more interesting.

Also included are needle lace techniques used as embroidery stitches, loom weaving techniques modified for embroidery and unique combinations of both of these. The incorporation of beads and crystals adds even more dazzle to the intricate designs. There are six projects, each explained with detailed step-by-step instructions and clear photographs, with design templates and a full stitch gallery providing everything readers need to recreate them with ease. The projects comprise a phoenix, rooster, common pheasant, mallard duck, flamingo and golden pheasant.

In addition to these sumptuous embroideries, Hazel explains how to hand quilt the backgrounds and finish the edges with binding to put them together in a book, as an alternative to framing. For embroiderers looking for something different and new to stitch, and for those keen to challenge themselves with more complex embroidery techniques, this book is a must-have.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION 8
GENERAL TIPS BEFORE STARTING 10
MATERIALS AND TOOLS 14
GENERAL PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS 19

STITCHES AND TECHNIQUES
Embroidery Stitches 26
Bead-Embroidery Stitches 51
Needlelace Techniques 55
Needle-Weaving Techniques 62

PROJECTS
Claude 73
Colin 85
Dave 105
Kevin 119
Dick 135
Nigel 155

TEMPLATES 168