Goldwork is all about the interplay of colour, texture and light, and it is this quality that is at the heart of Helen McCooks work.  Helen teaches classes for us here at The Wemyss School of Needlework.  

The book starts with a historical account of goldwork, then moves on to the materials and equipment required, framing up, how to transfer a design on to fabric and how to start and finish a thread.  

The main section of the book then covers all of the essential stitches and techniques through clear, step-by-step diagrams and photographs, coupled with beautiful, close-up photographs showing how then can be used in a finished piece.  These include couching, bricking, basketweave, cutwork, spangles, s-ing, pearl purl, plate and kid.

The book ends with a section in which the techniques described in the previous section are combined to create finished pieces, all beautifully and exquisitely worked by the author.