Embroidery legend Constance Howard brings her formidable knowledge of needlework to this creative, innovative, and comprehensive guide to stitching. Using her techniques, and the dozens of close-up photographs and diagrams, it's remarkably easy to create spectacular textures, patterns, and effects in just a few simple steps. See what happens when a stitch is worked in different threads, and learn how to change the scale of a stitch, combine stitches to make new ones, and alter the angle of the stitch. And it's amazing how much is covered: seeding, Japanese darning, a variety of stem stitches, buttonholes and variations, the twisted fly, herringbone, cable chain, zigzag coral, Portuguese border, detached loop, and many, many more. It will enhance any embroiderer's stitching repertoire. During her lifetime, Constance Howard was single-handedly responsible for bringing embroidery into the world of art and fashion. In 1948 she established the department of Embroidery in the Art School at Goldsmith's College, London. From running a part-time course, she became principal lecturer in charge of textiles and fashion - with embroidery as a main subject for Diploma in Art and Design. This course would later become the BA Honours degree course. Constance Howard was a member of the British Craft Centre, of the Society of Designer Craftsmen, the Embroiderers' Guild and the Art Workers' Guild, as well as of the World Crafts Council. Her work has been exhibited widely in Great Britain as well as in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA where she has held many workshops. In recognition of her services to art education, Constance Howard was awarded the MBE in 1975.