If you have ever wanted to monogram anything - linen for a bride, a teddy bear for a baby, a special greetings card - here is a book filled with ideas and projects. If, in addition you have read any of my reviews of Di van Niekerk's other books (check out the non fiction archive) then you will know that you are in for something special with this one. There is a whole embellished alphabet in here, made up from freestyle embroidery and ribbon stitches complete with excellent instructions on how to do it all. This is not, however a book aimed at the beginner, but there are many other books out there aimed at teaching from scratch and so it is refreshing to find one for the more advanced stitcher. As well as instructions for the stitches, you can also find several lovely paintings to transform into embellished images on cards, cloth for wearable art etc. These come with a detailed chapter on how to transfer them, as well as how to compose an attractive monogram. Frankly this is one of those books where there doesn't seem to be anything left out you could possibly want to know. Advice on choosing cloth, wonderfully clear diagrams of the stitches and plenty on useful topics as diverse as decorating a teddy bear to washing your work. At the back with the paintings is a chapter showing you what to do with them, and very lovely it is too. I have never been particularly interested in monogramming things until now, but I think that it would be a crime not to have a go with a book as delightful as this. One for the keeper shelf.-Myshelf.com (Reviewed with Flower Fairies in Ribbon Embroidery & Stumpwork) These two books present beautifully designed projects using surface embroidery and silk ribbon. The flower fairies are elaborate stitched pictorial collages applied to a printed background that is available from the author's website. Each script alphabet letter is an individual project and much simpler to execute. Embellished with ribbon flowers and filling stitches, they are perfect for decorating linens and clothing. Van Nierkerk, who runs embroidery shops in Cape Town, South Africa, can supply threads and other materials for these projects.-LibraryJournal USA Learn how to create 26 gorgeous monograms in ribbon embroidery and use them to decorate a wide range of items including quilts, clothing, toys, journals, cards and home decor pieces. Each letter is beautifully reproduced in watercolour, with clear instructions for transferring the designs on to fabric. The step-by-step demonstrations show the basic techniques with easy to follow diagrams and close-up photography. There are gorgeous designs giving almost limitless scope for personalising special gifts. Packed with useful tips and ideas, this book is the perfect companion for ribbon embroiderers of all abilities.-Machine Knitting Monthly If you wish to personalise a gift such as a wedding present or to celebrate an anniversary, decorate towels or make pretty name tags, this book has wonderful ideas for monograms. The diagrams are clear and the illustrations of each letter are beautifully presented. There is also a stitch gallery with many different types of embroidery stitches which makes it accessible for the beginner with easier stitches, and also for the more experienced embroiderer who will want to indulge in the amazing embellishments photographed here.-Fabrications This book is well laid out and gives clear instructions for the method of work which is useful for both beginners and the more experienced embroiderer. For me some letters worked better than others. In the illustrations some embellishments seemed so ornate that the letter got lost, though that may not happen when actually worked. However, once worked they could be used to apply to larger projects like bags and there are a number of other suggestions in the book. There were various ways to work the letters and with the ribbon embellishment it was heavier and chunkier so would work really well on larger projects though perhaps it would be too much for the average sized card.-West Country Embroiderers Designed to appeal to the novice as well as the more advanced embroiderer, this book is an invaluable guide for anyone thinking about making letters and words in ribbon embroidery. Each letter is beautifully reproduced in watercolour with clear instructions for transferring the designs on to fabric. The step-by-step demonstrations show the basic techniques, accompanied by easy-to-follow diagrams and photographs of the embroideries. Designs include embroidered cards, plaques, boxes, journals and baby clothes, providing scope for personalising all kinds of special gifts. The introduction explains monograms, letters and words, how to create and transfer designs, which fabric to use, stitches and techniques. There's an informative stitch gallery and the 26 ornate letters of the alphabet with their templates.-Sew Today This excellent instruction book is packed with beautifully stitched and embellished letters enabling both beginners and acomplished stitchers to create letters, monograms or even words with flowing lines of stitching and textured ribbon additions. The author has included information on creating and transferring designs using the computer for scanning, copying and printing onto fabric. Useful hints on choosing fabrics and ribbons and stitch techniques are also included. A complete alphabet is illustrated with instructions and at the end of the book there are more ideas for cards and borders. This would be a valuable reference book for anyone interested in embellished ribbon embroidery.-Meg-online.info

An artistically inclined mother and a keen interest in all things beautiful got Di off to an early start as an embroiderer. Her love for this discipline soon became her livelihood and starting an embroidery business was just another natural progression for this talented crafter. She opened her first shop in the Natal Midlands and when the family decided to uproot and move to Johannesburg, along went the business. After four years of running one of Johannesburg's most successful embroidery shops, the family's urge to settle in Cape Town became too strong to ignore. Di now lives in the Mother City where she runs two successful embroidery shops. The end product of her latest interest, hand painting her own range of silk and organza ribbons for embroidery, is marketed to retail outlets worldwide.