Freestyle Embroidered Mandalas

Over 20 luminous mandalas designs to stitch by master embroiderers Hazel Blomkamp and Di van Niekerk and fine artist Monique Day-Wilde.

When top artists from various disciplines collaborate, the result is bound to be greater than the sum of the individuals' skills. In this unique book, master embroiderers Hazel Blomkamp and Di van Niekerk have come together with fine artist Monique Day-Wilde to create a collection of luminous designs inspired by the beauty and mysticism of mandalas.

Using Monique's original mandala designs as their templates, Hazel and Di have adorned the rounded outlines with creative surface embroidery using a wide range of stitches and techniques in stunning combinations. From simple, monochromatic line patterns to colorful and flamboyant bead-and-thread fusions, the embroidered mandalas will inspire and delight everyone from beginners to the most experienced.

Throughout the book the authors share plenty of ideas and tips, and offer instruction with a fresh approach to surface embroidery. There is a complete stitch gallery with illustrations and instructions for all the stitches and techniques used which includes old favourites, such as simple back- and chain stitches, as well as the more intricate - needle lace, trellis couching and weaving. Beadwork is also explored to add sparkle and finishing touches, and special effects are created by incorporating the occasional bit of trapunto, ribbon embroidery and appliqué.

Both line and color templates of the designs are included, with a detailed stitch diagram and list of threads and materials for every project. A selection of templates also show different embroidery treatments to illustrate how versatile the designs are.

Fall into a captivating treasure trove of whorled stitches and silk, and discover the beautiful world designed by these renowned artists of needle and brush.

Hazel Blomkamp has dabbled with all the needlecrafts since childhood. When her children were babies she developed a passion for embroidery to break the tedium of life with toddlers, using it as her evening reward for having got though the day with her sanity intact. her children are now young adults and she still embroiders in front of the television every night. She has been designing for the past 18 years. Peferring to design projects which appear to be traditional, she pushes the boundaries by introducing other forms of needlecraft into traditional techniques, exploring further in everything that she does. Along with designing, she runs a busy website from home. She teaches at her home studio, in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, and travels throughout South Africa and to Australia teaching embroidery and fine beadwork. She is a regular contributor to South African and Australian embroidery magazines and is a columnist for South African Stitches Magazine.