Helen M. Stevens' embroidered butterflies

In Embroidered Butterflies, the second title in the Masterclass Embroidery Series, Helen shares her secrets of how to achieve incredible effects in pure silk thread.

In five fascinating chapters she explores a variety of butterflies united by a shared habitat from country gardens and hedgerows to woods and copses.

Each chapter culminates in a masterclass project: a colour template is provided for five original designs from a simple study of brimstone and orange butterflies to capturing the more elaborate wing pattern of tortoiseshells, Easy to follow step-by-step photographs illustrate the working, in progress, of the designs to ensure that perfect results are achievable.

Finally, a basic technique section gives valuable advice on choosing threads and fabrics, the transfer of templates, guidance on silk shading and the working of all of Helen's most popular stitches, to guarantee that this becomes the essential guide to creating embroidered butterfly studies.