Recommended Reads

Observe and embroider the natural world with this inspiring guide to nature journaling with a needle and thread.



Transform your appreciation of nature into unique works of art by stitching embroidered landscapes! Artist Anna Hultin's step-by-step projects blend traditional embroidery skills with experimental techniques that draw inspiration from the lines, patterns, and textures of the natural world. Learn how to embroider flowers, plants, and trees using a few basic stitches, discover new techniques for a variety of non-traditional materials and methods like painting on fabric with watercolors, collaging with fabrics to create depth, and stitching with raw wool, and learn how to compose these elements into an original scene based on your own nature observations.

An exquisite, full-color guide to sashiko, a simple Japanese stitching technique that uses stunning patterns to decorate or repair clothing, accessories, and home textiles.

Requiring no special equipment other than a sewing needle and thread, Make and Mend introduces the incredibly simple technique of sashiko--a striking hand-sewing method using a running stitch to form pleasing geometric patterns. Sashiko is traditionally used to mend and repair clothing and textiles, but it can just as easily be used to create beautiful, decorative projects for the home. With fifteen projects applying a modern, on-trend aesthetic to this ancient craft, Make and Mend shows readers how to apply sashiko stitching to a variety of craft projects, such as repairing torn jeans, mending a ripped hem, and making decorative pillows, napkins, a tablecloth, and a totebag. Touching on the concepts of beauty in minimalism and resourceful simplicity, as well as a fascination with Japan and Japanese design, this easy and accessible book appeals to both the seasoned maker and total beginner.

From Jessica Marquez, founder of the popular blog and shop Miniature Rhino, Stitched Gifts offers irresistible embroidery projects for every occasion—weddings, holidays, baby showers, anniversaries, or just because. Each project is rendered in Marquez's signature natural, modern style and can be easily personalized using the templates within for truly meaningful keepsakes. Featuring an illustrated stitch dictionary, striking photographs, perforated template sheets, traceable alphabets, plus a section on creative finishing techniques such as staining hoops, framing, and more, this distinctly beautiful craft book has something for embroiderers of all skill levels.

Learning how to embroider and cross stitch has never been simpler! Like having a personal instructor at your side, this beginner’s guide teaches everything you need to know about a variety of hand stitching techniques.

Filled with detailed descriptions of materials and tools, the easy step-by-step instructions for classic embroidery, crewel, and cross-stitch will have you creating and embellishing projects like jewelry, journal covers, pillows, fashions, and more with confidence.

With First Time Embroidery and Cross Stitch, you’ll be personalizing your own amazing pieces with beautiful stitches in no time.

A gentle introduction to the calming art of embroidery!

Slow down and experience the therapeutic benefits of slow stitching with these 12 charming embroidery projects for absolute beginners and beyond! Written by popular fiber art designer and author Celeste Johnston, the projects focus on uplifting messages, lovely florals, and the comfort of home. From fluffy sweaters and stacks of books to gentle affirmations and meditative mandalas, readers will feel the warmth with every stitch.

Each project includes a detailed reference photograph, step-by-step instructions, a full-sized perforated pattern, and everything readers need to know about stitches, thread, and materials. It's a perfect book for beginners and advanced stitchers alike!

- 12 Skill-Building Embroidery Projects: Readers will enjoy a diverse array of cozy subjects that gradually build their skills.
- Easy-to-Follow Stitch Diagrams: Every stitch, floss color, and strand count is provided in an all-in-one labeled reference image for each project.
- Reflection and Encouragement: Inspiring quotes, reflective journal entries, and mindful prompts enhance the relaxing benefits of stitching.
- Practice and Guidance: With a cozy quilt sampler project to help readers practice each stitch and a complete stitch guide that explains every stitch, beginners will have no trouble diving right in!
- Full-Sized Patterns: Expertly designed full-sized patterns for each project are presented on perforated pages for easy use as well as in downloadable form.

So put the kettle on, gather your stitching supplies, and enjoy the relaxing process of creating these twelve cozy embroidery projects. It's time to start stitching!

This fresh, fun foray into the world of embroidery showcases ten prominent designers, all acclaimed for their embroidery and stitching artistry. Each one shares instructions for three projects, along with ten beautiful and whimsical embroidery motifs for readers to use in their own work. The appealing themes include Kitschy Kitchen, Nautical, Camping, Robots, Sweet Hearts, and more. The featured designers include: Carina Envoldsen-Harris (author of Stitched Blooms, Lark), Mollie Johanson (who runs the Etsy store Wild Olive), Charlotte Lyons (Tilly fabric design), and more.
 

Step inside the enchanted world of arcane imagery and rich esoteric symbolism in this deeply imaginative embroidery art book!

Author Gayla Partridge draws upon her knowledge of vintage anatomical artwork, floral design, palmistry, Ouija, and oddities from the natural world to create magical, witchy twists on an age-old craft. Through extraordinary, stylized photography and detailed close-ups of designs, the embroidery art in Stitchcraft is entirely achievable with basic stitches and easy-to-follow instructions, enchanting beginners and expert crafters alike. 

Stitchcraft features: 
• 30 intricate embroidery designs, using a combination of nine basic stitches
• Insights from the author on how she created each piece 
• 30 basic patterns to get you started embroidering your own version of her designs

From the anatomy of a snake to floral skulls, from palmistry hands to botanical hearts, readers will be inspired to recreate Partridge’s spellbinding designs and to make them their own.

Renowned embroiderer Trish Burr passes her creative secrets on to stitchers--especially beginners--who want to take their needle painting skills to the next level. In 15 projects organized in three levels, from novice to intermediate, Trish provides expert, easy-to-follow guidance on techniques for surface stitching that provide subtle shadings and a soft, paintlike blending of colors. Sections on materials, the long and short stitch, and helpful practice motifs lead to gorgeous projects like Burgundy Rosebuds, a Wild Pansy, and a Racquet-tailed Roller.

Realistic embroidery that soars out of the hoop!

Embroidery reaches a new level of splendor with Megan Zaniewski’s stumpwork embroidery techniques. In this book of nature-inspired pieces and projects, you will learn the essentials of thread painting, creating 3D elements that make your embroidery leap off of the fabric, and finishing techniques that allow your final project to shine. Stitch adorable, fuzzy creatures, intricately beautiful insects, and lively botanicals. Then, use them to decorate your home or adorn your wardrobe as unique accessories. Whether you are just beginning with embroidery or are a seasoned stitcher, Stumpwork Embroidery & Thread Painting will help take your projects to a new level of beauty and realism.
 

• Create breathtakingly realistic home decor and accessory projects with 3D stumpwork and thread painting techniques.
• Every detail of the intricate insects and fuzzy creatures is broken down into simple stitches, making this book accessible to makers of all skill levels.
• Includes miniature embroidery that can adorn small pendants and frames.

The ultimate reference guides for needleworkers with amazing projects, detailed step-by-step instructions and stunning photographs. This best-selling series covering mainly embroidery but also sewing, knitting and crochet was originally published by Country Bumpkin in Australia and has now been revamped for the modern needleworker by Search Press, with a fresh new design.

Combined with the original A-Z of Embroidery Stitches, this book completes a comprehensive dictionary of embroidery stitches and techniques. It offers every embroiderer a perfect way to add variety and interest to every new stitching project. Ultra-clear visuals make it easy to learn new techniques. Historical insights and beautiful embroideries add to the inspiration. 

A 5 Star book from Needle 'n' Thread! Read the review here.

• How to use a variety of embroidery threads and simple stitches to create beautiful embroidered projects
• 17 projects in a wide variety of easy-to-learn techniques, with color patterns, including designs for towels, napkins, pillowcases, purses, cushions, tablet covers, ornaments, and samplers
• Guidelines and color illustrations for mastering 42 stitches
• For beginner and intermediate levels