Machine Embroidery is hugely exciting in terms of its potential as a
creative medium and is part of a flourishing creative industry both in
design and production. MMU hosts a specialist embroidery department,
which has been instrumental in artistic and

educational innovations in this area since the 1960s. The lecturers,
graduates and students have remarkable expertise in machine embroidery,
and MMU is home to a rich and unique archive of machines, samples and
artwork, both historical and contemporary. This book will celebrate
this archive, as well as providing the only definitive record (and
exploring the potential) of the huge number of machines currently in
use from the traditional Irish Embroidery machine to the new generation
of computerised sewing machines. The book will demonstrate how key
machines can be applied to the artistic, industrial and domestic practice, and shows machine embroiderers how to combine techniques and
develop their ideas using machine embroidery. Each contributor gives
their own individual perspective on machine stitch.

Alice Kettle is Professor at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK and Visiting Professor at the Centre for Real World Learning University of Winchester, UK. She is an established artist, with recognised status within the field of textile art. Her work is held in collections around the world.

Jane McKeating is Associate Head of Design at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. She is a key figure in the embroidery and textiles fields and was a prize winner at 2008's 'Art of the Stitch' International Open Exhibition.