Helen Richman - Stumpwork Embroidery: Techniques and projects

A stumpwork Calla Lily brooch created using long and short stitch in stranded cotton, three-dimensional wired edges, metallic thread-wrapped wires and beads.

A CKNOWLEDGEMENTS

T o start, I would especially like to thank my husband Andrew for his enduring support, enthusiasm and encouragement, not only during the process of writing this book but throughout my career and with all of my artistic endeavours. I have been amazed and touched by his eagerness to turn a hand at whatever he can do to help, whether it be acting as the occasional photographer, proofreader, design consultant or tea maker, and I am sure that he now knows a lot more about embroidery than perhaps he will admit to!

A special thank you also goes to my dear friend Lizzy Pye. We have spent many years stitching together since we started our embroidery journey as apprentices at the Royal School of Needlework in 2006. Her motivation, kindness and inspiration along the way has been invaluable.

I am also incredibly grateful to all of my family and friends for their continual support and understanding which has led to my success at turning a passion and hobby into a career.

I would like to give thanks to Becky Quine, Rachel Doyle, Sophie Long, Auburn Lucas, Kate Barlow, Amy Burt, Angela Bishop and Sharon Shaw who generously agreed to have their stumpwork embroidery pieces featured in this book.

Thanks must also be given to the Pennybatch Gallery for their continued advice and skill in framing my work, to Natalie Quine and Liz Hughes for their wonderful proofreading talents and to The Royal School of Needlework, especially Bryna Black and Amberley McSloy for their assistance.

Lastly, I would like to thank Carol and Peter Lansberry for the loan of a precious historical example of stumpwork embroidery.

Without all of you, this book would never have happened.

A BOUT THE A UTHOR

Helen Richman is a hand embroiderer and textile artist based in Somerset. Founder of The Bluebird Embroidery Company, which showcases her embroidered artwork and own range of embroidery kits, she also regularly completes high profile commissions for organizations such as the Royal Mail and Ely Cathedral. Helen is a member of the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen.

Helens embroidery journey began when she joined The Royal School of Needlework and completed the three-year apprenticeship, gaining expert knowledge in many fields of hand embroidery. She now regularly teaches at the school and has taught classes across the UK as well as in the United States and Canada. www.bluebirdembroidery.co.uk

A PPENDICES

Design templates needed to complete the projects listed in this book.

P ROJECT 1

W ATERING C AN P IN C USHION

P ROJECT 2

F OX AND B ADGER

P ROJECT 3

S UMMER B EES P IN C USHION

P ROJECT 4

L ILY

P ROJECT 5

L ITTLE S ECRET G ARDEN

P ROJECT 6

S ECRET G ARDEN

P ROJECT 7

D RANGONFLY

P ROJECT 8

G OLDFISH

P ROJECT 9

P EACOCK M IRROR P ROJECT

P ROJECT 10

A F LOURISH OF F ROST