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At last a book that tells you everything you ever wanted to know about stitching - but never liked to ask ... now you can learn the tips, tricks and wisdom of generations collected in one easy guide for you to enjoy....
Dear Fellow Stitcher
My name is Helen Dickson and I have been stitching for more years than I can remember. I come from a long line of skilled needlewomen and I made my first (rather wonky!) stitches under my mum's gentle guidance nearly half a century ago!
I know how lucky I was being able to learn my craft in this way, and now I want to share all the knowledge and expertise I've gained with others. In The Stitcher's Companion we'll journey together through the wonderful world of thread, floss and fabric. Along the way I'll share with you not only the knowledge handed down to me by my own Mum, Grandma and the rest of my family, but also of the Mums and Grandmas of stitchers across the world who have generously shared their stitching secrets with us.
Putting this book together took me back through the years ... to the time when I would sit with my mum while she stitched one of her wonderful hand embroidered creations, now cherished family heirlooms. As we sat together over our embroidery she would patiently show me the basics, and I was soon stitching my own first projects.
The knowledge of hand embroidery that my Mum and Grandma passed on to me as I grew up has truly been worth its weight in gold over the years. I was so lucky to benefit from this wonderful stitching inheritance, to share their hints and tips and learn the secrets they acquired slowly and painstakingly during the course of their lifetimes.
As I learned from them, I would look at my work, and then at theirs and think that I would never ever be able to stitch as well as them. My own hand embroidery was always a bit messy and my stitches uneven. But my mum and grandma never made me feel bad about it - they just helped me with loving advice and encouragement, showing me the right way to make my stitches look neat and even. Over time, I gained in skill and confidence, and now I create and sell my own designs to others.
Of course not everyone is lucky enough to have such a rich store of knowledge passed onto them, and it can take many years to discover the secrets they passed onto me so lovingly - and of course many stitchers don't learn them at all.
Have you ever wondered why your project isn't working out quite how you expected it to - or maybe felt disappointed that, after all your hard work, something wasn't quite right? Or have you felt foolish while shopping, not understanding how different fabrics suit different projects, not knowing how to choose the right needle? Sometimes it's had to ask for help, particularly if you feel it's a problem that's so basic others might laugh at your lack of knowledge.
As a designer with my own website, I receive many emails from other stitchers asking for my help with their embroidery and other sewing problems, and later, thanking me for the help and guidance I've been able to give them.
And so the idea for The Stitcher's Companion was born ....
I noticed that many fellow stitchers were asking me the same questions and the answers to these, together with the knowledge passed down by my Mum and Grandma, formed the original basis of this book.
That original concept has now been expanded further through the addition of hints and tips generously contributed by other stitchers across the globe, covering everything from working with metallic threads (would you ever have thought of putting them in the fridge?!) to organising your floss and stitching on a dark background.
The Stitcher's Companion was written with you - the reader- in the front of my mind. It's an easy, fun read, packed with practical advice and suitable for both newbies and the more experienced stitcher. You'll learn all the tips and techniques you need to help you stitch right first time - and every time - so you too can produce the hand embroidery projects that will be admired by your friends and family today and become your own family's heirlooms of the future.
Written in a friendly, humorous style, The Stitcher's Companion contains all the information you need about fabric, floss and thread, from choosing the right fabric and floss for your embroidery project and transferring your design to the fabric to framing and displaying your completed work. And as well as the knowledge handed on by my own Mum and Grandma, you'll receive the best hints and tips from stitchers all over the world. Every time you start a new project, you'll want to refer to The Stitcher's Companion - and as well as a really useful guide, it's a great, entertaining read too!
But don't take my word for it .... try this little exerpt ....
"If you are reading this then you’re probably already aware that stitching is fun! No, more than that, it’s stress-relieving, calm-inducing, what-to-give-as-a-gift-problem-solving creativity! In short, it’s totally life enhancing for the stitcher as well as for the totally lucky recipient of our stitchy endeavours.
Now, how to stitch is, at first sight, a very simple skill to master and so many people (non-stitchers of course) simply don’t understand how easy it is to become obsessive about floss, thread and fabric. They don’t know how complicated and totally absorbing the simple act of pushing a pointy stick attached to some string through a piece of fabric can become. Who has time for cleaning, laundry and weeding the borders when there is the elusive bullion stitch to master, that tapestry or cross-stitch chart to complete and perhaps a top to quilt?
Non-stitchers don’t understand that although pushing a pointy stick through fabric might at first sight seem very simple and boringly repetitive, actually there is much more to it than that. Consider the world of creativity that is revealed once you open your eyes to the possibilities … there’s applique, quilting, tapestry and dressmaking…. Not to mention Hardanger, blackwork, stumpwork and cross stitch. The world of stitching will take more than a lifetime to explore."
Yes, I think we're on the same wavelength if, like me, you have realised just how satisfying and absorbing stitching can be. And I am passionate about sharing my knowledge with others ... here's an excellent tip from my Mum ...
"When you’re deciding how many strands of floss you need (if your pattern doesn’t tell you) then a simple rule is never to use a thread which is thinner than the thread of the material – it will look insignificant and puny against the background. My mum taught me this simple rule of thumb and it works in 99% of cases – the exception being if you’re working very fine detail in a small area of your work."
Every page of The Stitcher's Companion is filled with helpful tips and essential knowledge to help you stitch the most beautiful work that you can. Your friends and family will be amazed at your expertise. You'll be able to confidently create your own designs for your home, or as gifts for others. Perhaps you might like to sell your creations and turn your hobby into your own small business - the choice is yours!
And as well as my own store of knowledge, there's a whole chapter devoted to the hints and tips so generously donated by stitchers across the world. You'll discover:
How to transfer your dowloaded design to fabric.
Stop your floss tangling as you stitch.
Techniques to identify your fabric composition.
Finishing and framing techniques.
Selecting the right needle for your fabric
Essential tips for storing your thread (ignore these at your peril or you too may have a tangled mess of floss at the bottom of your work bag!!)
How to prepare your fabric for stitching
A whole section of stitch diagrams - some familiar, some much less so - but you'll find them all so easy to work.
And loads more too ... so don't delay .....
Download your copy of The Stitcher's Companion today!
Your book will be delivered to you immediately upon payment (so no waiting around) for just
$19.97!
Order today and you'll also receive a free copy of my monthly Bustle & Sew Magazine as my special "thank you" gift to you ...
The Bustle & Sew Magazine is my own online stitching magazine packed with patterns, articles and much more for stitchers to enjoy wherever you are. You will be able to instantly put to good use the new expertise you've gained from The Stitcher's Companion. You will create wonderful bags, softies, cosies and more using the Bustle & Sew easy to follow patterns from your magazine. Your friends and families will be delighted and amazed - everyone will want one of your creations for their next birthday/Christmas/anniversary gift!
I'm confident you'll love The Stitcher's Companion and adore your free copy of the Bustle & Sew Magazine .... so confident that you will be absolutely delighted with your purchase that I'm offering you a ZERO risk, unconditional money back guarantee.
Either you love The Stitcher's Companion or you get a full refund. No if's. No but's. No questions asked. No conditions to meet. Just a simple, honest guarantee from me to you.... if you aren't delighted by The Stitcher's Companion for any reason whatsoever, then I'll give you a 100% refund. And I'll let you keep your copy of The Stitcher's Companion - and your bonus magazine too.
So don't waste time becoming frustrated trying to master the art of hand embroidery all by yourself. Learn to be a stitching goddess using the tips and techniques taught by mums and grandmas all over the world.
Remember .. that's The Stitcher's Companion plus your free gift copy of the Bustle & Sew Magazine delivered to your in-box for only $19.97! And a no-risk, total satisfaction guarantee with love from me to you ....
So, if you're ready to get started, then just click on the "Add to Cart" button below to purchase your own copy of The Stitcher's Companion....
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I am sure you'll enjoy The Stitcher's Companion and will put your new knowledge to good use creating some of the designs from your free Bustle & Sew Magazine. It's so exciting when you realise you can confidently create all the projects you read about and how easy it is once you know how!
But remember, just in case, I'm backing up your purchase with a full money back guarantee. So if for any reason you feel The Stitcher's Companion isn't for you, then send me an email within 60 days of purchase for your full refund.
Wishing you many happy years of stitching
Helen xx
[Privacy Policy](Privacy_Policy.html) [Contact Me](mailto:helen@devonbeardesigns.com) [Blog](http://www.bustleandsew.blogspot.com) [Bustle & Sew website](http://www.bustleandsew.com)
Helen Dickson started her online business, Bustle & Sew in 2009. She creates designs for patterns that are lively, interesting and fresh, and will isnpire others to pick up fabric and thread to produce their own piece of work, with all the sense of achievement and satisfaction that brings. She loves stitching and is passionate about sharing with others through her blog, online magazine and now her first book "The Stitcher's Companion".
