This unique book collection culls the expertise of academics and the actual embroidery machines archives of Manchester Metropolitan University in Great Britain whose specialist embroidery department has been instrumental in artistic and educational innovations in textiles since the 1960s. This book is the definitive record of the vast number of machines from the traditional Irish Embroidery machines to the latest generation of computerized sewing machines and features a rich and fascinating record of the machines themselves and the samples and artwork that were produced on them. Each contributor gives their own individual perspective on machine stitch and the book illustrates how key machines can be applied to the artistic, industrial and domestic practice and shows how to combine techniques and develop new ideas in machine embroidery, a creative medium that is flourishing in both design and production.

 

 

 

 

 

 

""'The most important book for any textile student or machine embroiderer'...that sums it up neatly...Those who teach in art colleges and curate fashion and textile collections as well as historians of textiles, technology and education will find much within its pages. Makers of all descriptions will find engaging its emphasis on the machine as a tool...Excellent and abundant illustrations are supported by equally excellent captions that include details of materials, methods and dimensions...The book functions, in part, as an introduction to the MMU collection which not only includes designs and textiles—produced commercially and by post-1970 students—but the machines themselves.""—Crafts Magazine