* 1947 Mary Thomas, 'Teach Yourself Embroidery' , Hodder & Stoughton Ltd for the English Universities Press

 Before putting hand embroidery off your radar because of costs, remember that all you need is a needle , thread and fabric. The common perception that the threads have to be expensive and that the fabric has to be Aida fabric, monk cloth or any other pricey fabric is something that does not make much sense considering that according to Mary Thomas one of the two main purposes is to save money:

" Embroidery is the art of enriching a fabric by stitchery. It is not a pleasant pastime, but a pleasant means of making garments appear more luxurious and the home more beautiful. (...) This little book is planned with this objective. First to show how simple stitches, which we have known from childhood, can be used with beautiful effect in embroidery, and secondly - since fashion so largely dictates our mode of dress - how embroidery can be used to impart an exclusive look to dresses, lingerie and household articles in such a way that their value is accordingly enhanced by the addition of the stitchery" in vi , Preface.

Below is a table runner I made for my coffee table using old leftover embroidery threads and a dyed burlap fabric from a potato sack.

Would it be different if I had not purchased the book? Well yes, because the book is structured into subjects and then lessons , what makes it more enticing to follow up Mary Thomas discussion on the embroidery stitch with an actual completion of the lesson.

The most important lesson I got from the book was finding out that once women done quilts step by step and in such manner that made it look like a beautiful expensive house item when in reality was made out of necessity and remnants. 

The technical aspect of the stitchery is complemented with practical advice on how to look after the fabric, how to dye and make transfers and how to mount fabrics in embroidery hooks and picture frames. 

If you are not keen to buy materials you will love this handbook because features lessons on how to make quilts, embroider lingerie, dressing items and bedding.

Best wishes,

Ariane