The Kew Book of Nature Samplers

This exquisite book, a follow-up to the hugely successful Kew Book of Embroidered Flowers, is written by needlework expert Trish Burr in association with The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

It features a starter project that introduces the reader to the most commonly used stitches, including long-and-short stitch, split stitch, satin stitch, bullions and French knots, then nine full sampler projects.

The samplers feature a vast array of fauna and flora, including butterflies, bugs, birds, a rabbit and a hedgehog; lotuses, foxgloves, poppies, toadstools, and numerous wildflowers.

The book explains all the stitches needed, and gives thorough advice on preparation and choosing fabrics and threads. All the projects are shown step-by-step, with an order of work diagram given where appropriate.

All the reusable iron-on transfers needed are kept safely together with the book in an attractive hardback folder. The enclosed reusable iron-on transfer papers offer embroiderers a fast and accurate method of transferring the designs the transfers simply need ironing on to fabric so that the reader can start embroidering straight away. The templates are also included at full size at the back of both editions of the book.

This stunning yet practical book is a must-have for anyone interested in capturing the intricacy of nature in thread. 

Table of Contents

Foreword 6

Introduction 8

What is needle painting? 10

Tools and materials 10

Preparation 16

Mounting your embroidery in a wooden hoop 20

Stitch instructions 22

Outlines 32

Raised embroidery 34

Natural dyeing 36

Stitching the projects 40

Useful advice before you start 40

SIMPLE PROJECTS 42
Starter stitch sampler 44, Poppy sampler 54, Wildflower Sampler 60, Sacred lotus flower sampler 68, Breadseed poppy sampler 76

INTERMEDIATE PROJECTS 88
Barn owl sampler 90, Bunny sampler 104, Butterfly sampler 118

ADVANCED PROJECTS 134
Pelargonium sampler 136, Dragonfly sampler 152

The templates 168

Using iron-on transfers 176