Stevens' third book is a meditation set within a broad historical context: from Saxon to modern times. The author begins her discussion with an explanation of the preferred design styles of Britain, her native country, which she follows with an examination of particular motifs. In every chapter there are innumerable pauses to scrutinize how to stitch different trees and leaves, fruits and animals, from the interstices of a pine cone to the black-and-white hairs of a badger family. Nature is her primary subject matter--and Stevens very graciously shows us its realistic and three-dimensional treatments in embroidery. For experienced stitchers and large library collections.
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