Heirloom Embroidery:  Over 100 Embroidery Designs, Instructions for Classic Embroidery Stitches, Bullions and Bridging, by Michie'  Mooney.  Black and white soft cover, 36 pages, published by Creations by Michie', and distributed by Creative Needle, 1 Apollo Road, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750, 800-443-3127 or order online here.

My mom is one of six daughters.  Out of all of 'em, only one had the gift of embroidery.  Aunt Betty just has the knack.  From what I can tell, she was born stitching a fine line, tying outrageously fluffy bows for gift boxes and making the best chocolate cake on the planet.  But I digress. 

Out of all my aunts, Aunt Betty is the only one who couldn’t benefit from this plain but powerful little book.  The rest of us need to listen up. 

Michie' has assembled a no-nonsense manual of how-to-embroider.  Period.  It's black and white, filled with large, clear line drawings and easy-to-follow text instructions.  No photos.  No projects.  No guilt trips. 

She starts out with the obligatory introduction  and overview of tools.  But she covers it all in one quick page.  Designs, fabric, threads, needles, hoops, pencils and pens.  A few words on each and she's on to what matters in the Embroidery Placement department.  Her illustrations and text go over the golden rules of placement on collars, sleeves, daygowns, dresses and yokes. 

Next, Michie' is all over the issues relating to "Beginning and Ending" her stitches.  Again, clear, concise and to the point.  Stitches?  She instructs on the running, back, stem or outline, feather, shadow, chain, satin and  padded satin stitches.  French knot, Granito knot, Lazy Daisy, bullion knot, bullion loop, bullion on a button, and hand bridging are covered as well. 

Last, Michie' uses her clear, easy-to-follow illustration style to provide 14 pages of  designs to embroider--ducks and teapots, ribbons and bows, lambs, mice, ducks, choo-choos, diaper pins, and even a cow jumping over a moon.  She provides seasonal designs--scarecrows, Easter baskets, candy canes, snowmen, watermelon slices, sandcastles, pumpkins, holly, and autumn leaves.  She finishes up the book by providing letters of the alphabet, ready to duplicate in embroidery. 

As I said:  this is a book for the rest of us.  Clear, concise, and to the point.  The Aunt Betties out there don't need it, but the rest of us are grateful Michie' took the time to share what she knows!