This beautiful guide to church embroidery starts with detailed instruction of the techniques needed before including a range of designs. It gives ideas for modern interpretation of age-old symbols and provides inspiration on how embroidery can be used in the church and on Eucharistic vestments. Over 600 photos, stunning examples and in-depth advice make this book an essential guide for everyone who wants to learn or develop their skills for this very special use of embroidery. Starting with a guide to the liturgical colours and Eucharistic vestments, it covers the whole process of first collecting together the materials and equipment that you’ll need, through to creating and transferring the design, and then stitching, finishing and constructing the piece. Throughout the text, Heather Lewis shares her practical tips and ideas learnt from years of embroidering at the highest level so you can achieve the best results. Beyond the practical, this book also provides inspiration and encourages you to interpret traditional themes in new ways to keep the embroidery and Christian message as relevant today as ever. Projects range from a golden cross on a stole to the flames of the Holy Spirit using applique. Step-by-step instructions, supported with clear photographs and templates, complete this impressive book.

HEATHER LEWIS studied the art of hand embroidery at the Royal School of Needlework. She went on to work in the RSN studios on a diverse range of prestigious commissions for many abbeys, cathedrals and churches, including altar frontals for Wells and Canterbury cathedrals, a set of vestments for Buckfast Abbey and the Commonwealth screen that was used during the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2002. Heather was also part of the team in the RSN studio that worked on items used during the Coronation of HM King Charles III and HM Queen Camilla. She now works as freelance embroiderer from her studio in York, and teaches hand embroidery at the Royal School of Needlework and across the UK.