About the Author

Margaret Lee is one of the world's leading teachers of oriental embroidery. At a young age she learnt and practised Chinese embroidery in the traditional Chinese way. She later studied Traditional Japanese Embroidery and gained international teacher accreditation from the Japanese Embroidery Centre Margaret enjoys sharing her passion and knowledge in these traditional art forms and teaches in Australia and internationally. See more on her website http://www.margaretlee.com.au/

Reviews

Take your embroidery and beadwork to new levels with this book on Japanese bead embroidery.  This is a beautiful large format book produced by Australian embroidery magazine Inspirations.  Expect the usual high standard and nine stunning projects as well as an accessible approach to learning this very different method of embroidering with beads.  If you are used to the Western way be prepared to need some extra equipment: a slate frame, laying tool and special wooden bobbins for example.  The methods involve some unfamiliar techniques which need to be mastered before you tackle any of the projects.  The book stays obligingly flat while you pore over the written instructions, backed up by some clear drawn diagrams on using the bobbins, laying tool etc as well as the stitches.  The large pages lend themselves to an airy, well laid out appearance which is a help when learning something so unfamiliar; by now you will realize that beginner embroiderers (and beaders) would be better staying away.  This is very much a book for the experienced stitcher who wants a challenge and the rewards are certainly impressive.  The nine projects are beautiful and each one has several large photographs showing their final appearance as well as ample written instructions.  There are no diagrams for these (all the learning takes place in the first section) but a helpful page lists everything you need as well as the techniques used, learning points, sequence of working and more.  Pictures, various types of bag, spectacle case and a wedding pillow all have their patterns on a detachable sheet at the back of the book and construction methods are also given.  At the back are two case studies of projects where printed fabric was decorated with beadwork, plus a blank planning template for your own use.  This book is a rare opportunity for the more experienced embroiderer to learn a largely unknown style of embroidery
*Rachel A Hyde*