:: July 2003 
Review
Helen M. Stevens' World of Embroidery
Helen M. Stevens' World of Embroidery includes information on embroidery, history, the natural sciences, literature, and fashion. Just reading it will encourage you to look at objects from the simplest to the grandest with fresh eyes. While Ms. Stevens shares the creative process behind many of her own designs, she also encourages us to sketch our own designs. She includes information on translating such original sketches to fabric in order to begin embroidering them.
The seven chapter topics include: Sea Fever, Europa, The Sands of Time, New Worlds, City Lights, The High Country, and Xanadu. Stitching descriptions and special techniques are found in the two Appendices. In a poignant tribute, Ms. Stevens writes, "This book (and particularly Plate 48) is dedicated to the memory of the world before 11 September 2001." Plate 48 is a striking fibre depiction of the New York City skyline at night which includes the World Trade Towers as they formerly stood.
If you are thinking of buying this book as a gift for a fellow fibre lover, go ahead and buy two copies, because once you have seen it, you will be unwilling to give your copy away. The photographs of Ms. Stevens' work are absolutely gorgeous, and her writing is exercise for the mind. You will learn a variety of interesting facts as you are led to contemplate the realm of embroidery with greater insight