Simply Red?

Nothing to do with the Manchester group- but I recently got this book- Simply RedWORK from the Library. The author, Mandy Shaw, has done sewing for Kirstie Allsopp, appearing on her programmes and also on the 'Create and Craft' channel. It is a fun book, beginning with a brief history of the redwork technique. It goes on to give 9 basic motifs- and ideas for using them in 17 projects. 

Techniques are explained well- for left and right handed stitchers. I am not sure I have the motivation to make a large quilt, but I like some of the smaller pieces. The section on designing your own motifs is good - Mandy shows how she translated the cover of a 1930s book into a design for stitching. I may have a go at making some of these ideas - they're ideal for small gifts. *****

Creative Machine Embroidery by Linda Miller is a much more complex volume - it rightly deserves a place in the 'textiles handbook series' published by ACBlack. Beautifully photographed, the intricate techniques are explained in great detail - and I am in awe of this woman's skill. 
To completely cover a piece of cloth with stitchery is one thing- when you are doing it with an electric sewing machine- wow!
I couldn't even manage the basic heart shape

Linda used to write a blog - but not recently. However you can still check out pictures of her lovely pieces.
I did get a machine embroidery foot in the box of feet I bought last autumn. Maybe it is time to dig it out and practice?*****

My third craft book [also borrowed from West Moors Library] was Kanzashi in Bloom.
These folded fabric flowers are traditionally used to adorn the elaborate coiffures of the Japanese Geishas. Their full name is Hana Tsumami Kanzashi [hana = flower, tsumami = folded, kanzashi = hair ornament]
Unlike Mandy [Sussex] and Linda [Devon] this textile artist, Diane Gilleland comes from Oregon.

She too has excellent instructions and step by step photo guides.
One simple method, and interpreted in many ways, to produce a great variety of blooms.

Yes, obviously, you can put your flower on a hair clip - but there are many other suggestions, and plenty of ideas
Wear them as part of a headband, pendant, tiny ear-rings. 
Dress up a skirt, tote bag or belt buckle. Make a jar topper, drawer pull or gift embellishment. Diane suggests that whilst the trad fabric is silk, it makes sense to begin with cotton/polycotton when you are learning the folding, and stitching. One project in the book is making a wallet [adorned with a bloom] using two old silk neckties. Bob has donated two from the back of his wardrobe in case I want to try!
I liked this book because it is about quite a niche craft - Diane says there are only fifteen acknowledged Tsunami Kanzashi masters in the world. Many of these are elderly, and no longer training apprentices. However Kuniko Kanawa, a Japanese woman living in Washington , is working to keep this tradition alive [it dates back to 1600] Many Japanese girls choose to wear a kanzashi in their hair on their wedding day.
I will try and make a bloom as a brooch - and if the bug bites, Bob better watch out, or I may be recycling his silk ties... Another *****

How satisfying, to borrow three very different craft books and find myself dreaming about trying them all out. Sadly, it is just dreaming at the moment, there are other things written on the project board which must be done first!