Jane Austen Embroidery - (Dover Crafts: Embroidery & Needlepoint) by Jennie Batchelor & Alison Larkin (Paperback)

“Jane Austen Embroidery” by Jennie Batchelor and Alison Larkin Is exactly what a craft-enthusiast Jane fan would want it to be! It is packed with interesting Jane facts, historical notes and beautiful embroidery patterns. I so enjoyed the research put into the book both in finding the patterns and in understanding their context. In our world of modern conveniences, the historical aspects clarify why needlework was abridged to be called just “work”. It was not a hobby but a necessity. Jane is reported to have been particularly skilled in this area of life and her personality has been stitched throughout. The embroidery patterns are whole projects rather than just the attractive elements and including sewing and make-up as well as embroidery. Each pattern has been carefully chosen, related to Jane, and modernised to make it relevant to today, I appreciated all the guidance included for the less knowledgeable reader – a.k.a. Me – about fabrics and threads as well as how to sew each stitch. It is detailed with great photos and lots of tips! The COVID-19 pandemic has limited my ability to access the various resources to put into practice what I have learnt but I look forward to doing so in the future. If you love Jane Austen and embroidery, this is one to get! It is five out of five on the enJOYment scale and highly recommended.