Book excerpt: Learn about the history and culture surrounding Chinese embroidery and learn to embroider yourself with this easy-to-follow and beautifully illustrated guide. Embroidery in China is a true art form, one that has been practiced for over 2,000 years. In Chinese Embroidery, you'll discover everything from the history of the art to the different schools in different ages and their styles to knowledge about selection, collection and preservation of embroidered articles. Chinese Embroidery contains over 200 full-color photos of works and step-by-step guides—all of which help to explain and analyze over twenty kinds of needlework and teach comprehensive application of these basic skills. When you reach the end of this book, you'll have learned about twenty different embroidered pieces for daily use and display purposes. Learn about the pattern-oriented art and traditional culture of China at the same time as you master the embroidery craftsmanship unique to China. Stimulate your imagination and creativity as you experience the joy of embroidery with Chinese Embroidery.