The elegant form, fragile iridescent wings, mystical beadlike eyes and shimmering colours of the dngonfly have fascinated needleworkers for centuries. Darting through the mythology and folklore of diverse cultures, this ancient and heautiful water insect has aroused imaginations, called for fine observation and inspired meticulous reproduction. Surely, no form of reproduction captures the textures, vivid pigments and dimensionality of the dragonfly so well as stumpwork.
Jane Nicholas takes a close look at the anatomy of dragonflies and damselflies and their representation in natural history. She combines those obssevations with designs from as far back as the sixteenth-century and from throughout the world and then uses a variety of materials and techniques to build works of mesmerising beauty.
Jane shares new ways of using unusual materials to interpret and create your own dragonfly designs. The projects - including a remarkable collection of nine creatures in a 'specimen box' - not only set-off the dragonflies exquisitely, but they exemplify Jane's impeccable eye for detall and composition.
This stunning book - fascinating for anyone interested in textured embroidery is a pure delight to read.
