Goldwork and Silk Shading Inspired by Nature

An inspiring, practical guide to goldwork and silk shading, packed with 6 samplers and 28 stunning projects.

This inspiring, practical guide to goldwork and silk shading is packed with both traditional and innovative techniques, 6 samplers and 28 stunning projects. Learn how to create exquisite works using either goldwork or silk shading, and then learn how to combine the two disciplines for visually stunning results.

Learn to select the threads, materials and equipment required; plan out the order of your work; transfer your design to fabric; frame up your fabric; and discover inspiring stitch techniques to achieve the results you want.

Using nature as inspiration, develop a glittering range of exquisitely worked flowers, plants, trees, bats and dragonflies, with each piece accompanied by detailed instructions and essential top tips. The book features original designs throughout, and you will be encouraged to extend your skills to create your own beautiful embroideries, helped by exercises, projects, diagrams and stunning photographs.

This book is an invaluable practical starting point for anyone wishing to learn about the art of goldwork and silk shading, and an excellent reference for all those already familiar with these popular techniques.

Hazel Everett first became interested in embroidery whilst still at school, and her teacher suggested she might pursue a career in embroidery. Hazel went on to be an Apprentice at the Royal School of Needlework (RSN), and although she enjoyed learning about many different types of embroidery, she became most fascinated by goldwork. As an Apprentice she had the honour of embroidering a commission for the RSN workroom - a new pulpit fall in real, 18-carat Japanese gold thread. As her career developed, fate played a part and she was offered a number of commissions involving goldwork, including a mitre for Cardinal Hume. Hazel went on to teach Goldwork Embroidery all over the UK and worked on numerous commissions, including ecclesiastical work, embroidering items for leading fashion designers and assisting with the reconstruction of the Coronation Robe of King George VI that was exhibited at Kensington Palace, London. In 2011, Hazel wrote her first book, Goldwork: Techniques, Projects and Pure Inspiration, published by Search Press, which became one of the foremost guides to goldwork published in the English language. Sadly, Hazel died in late 2018. This book had been planned by Hazel, and was completed by her good friend and fellow RSN tutor, Jan Barsby, along with Hazel's husband Adrian, who wished to do justice to all Hazel's hard work.