Product Description

This book is a must for all ribbon embroidery and stumpwork enthusiasts. A substantial 160 page book, it is packed with new ideas and techniques that will appeal not only to all embroiderers, but also to other crafters such as quilters, knitters, fabric painters, scrapbookers or home decor enthusiasts. Included in each panel are innovative ideas for a variety of crafts. More and more crafters are wishing to learn how to combine ribbon embroidery and especially stumpwork with their crafts to make their own distinctive work of art and this book will help you do just that! The original watercolour design is by South African botanical artist, Verde. There are 17 panels in the magnificent sampler and 60 different elements in the design with a clear stitch gallery to guide you. Flowers and creatures from all over the world, many of them never having been done before, are included in the sampler, so there is something for everyone. The embroidery for each element is shown step-by-step with clear and beautiful photographs.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #223279 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

About the Author

Customer Reviews

A few things they don't mention..
1. This book is definitely intermediate level or above. Having learned some stumpwork and ribbon embroidery myself, I think of my skills as intermediate and I would never give this to a beginner as a learning tool. Although the author does explain the stitches and techniques, it is done in a very condensed way that could be confusing for first-timers. There are few how-to illustrations here compared to beginner's books.

2. In order to complete the embroidery sampler as pictured (the whole book is a panel-by-panel sampler project, by the way), you need to go on the author's Web site and order her pre-printed cotton fabric to embroider and stump on top of. In theory one could trace the design in the book, but that would leave out the subtle colors and shading that give this piece its extraordinary colorful, dimensional quality. Apparently, all of Di van Niekerk's books need their accompanying printed fabrics, and this one is about 16 American dollars. Why this is never mentioned either on the online page or on the book's cover is a mystery to me.

3. The threads and silk ribbons that you will need for Di's projects are brand names that can not easily be found outside of South Africa (the author lives in Cape Town). You can order these from her Web site as well. Of course you could use YLI or other brands more available in America, but you'd have to guess to match the colors. I'd feel more comfortable using the author's recommended brands and colors.

A Perfect World in Ribbon Embroidery and Stumpwork is simply exquisite. It features high-quality, lovely, original designs. The finished effect of combining ribbon embroidery and stumpwork takes my breath away, and Di van Niekerk deserves credit as a pioneer of sorts in the world of embroidery. She does indeed show a few techniques that I have never seen before.

Be prepared to do some online shopping first, and you will be able to make a sampler project that will be the envy of all your embroidering friends.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle

Not quite perfect, but close!
This is an interesting book and gives instruction on how to create a specific stumpwork project. I had hoped that it would give me more basic information about combining stumpwork and silk ribbon embroidery. That being said, the information provided is useful and the project to be created is quite lovely. All in all, I'm glad that I purchased the book, even though I have an earlier book by her which does the same thing, just different project.

Excellent book.
This is by far the best book on this subject I have seen. Great instruction and it is beautifully illustrated.