Transfer & Stitch: Butterflies, Bees and Bugs: Over 50 Reusable Motifs to Iron On And Embroider
By Sally McCollin
Paperback  |  160 pages
 
This collection of over fifty beautiful butterfly, beetle and bug motifs and accompanying transfers provides a must-have source of design ideas for anyone who enjoys stitching. The designs include a range of insects from delicate, minuscule ladybirds to large, imposing, iridescent steampunk-style mantids, to cover all tastes from traditional to edgy.
 
The book is broken down into four main sections: the key stitches and techniques, the samplers, the projects and finally the cut-out transfers. Each design is shown as a sampler sewn by the author, Sally McCollin, in the colours, threads and stitches of her choice, including shimmering metallic and variegated threads that are just perfect for capturing the sheen of a beetle or a bug, or a butterfly's wings. Clear instructions accompany each motif, with information given on the thread colours and the embroidery stitches used.
 
Those who prefer to create their own look can do so by simply adapting the colours and stitches. The book then showcases twelve whimsical projects embroidered with designs from the samplers and stitched by Sally herself onto a range of fabrics and items, from napkins to pillowcases. The transfers at the back can be cut out and ironed up to ten times each onto fabric to give a unique flair to clothing or homeware.
 
With a variety of key stitches to choose from, all with clear diagrams to accompany, even novice stitchers will be inspired and encouraged to try these wondrous designs.