Hand Embroidery Techniques For Beginners

“A spectacular encyclopedia of embroidery, sharing valuable techniques passed down through the generations . . . you’ll wonder how you ever worked without it.” —Sew Magazine Enjoy the tranquility of slow stitching with this step-by-step, visual guide to 149 embroidery stitches, motifs, and extras. Go beyond basic color theory–robust color charts take the guesswork out of choosing thread, silk ribbon, buttons, beads, and trims. Then take your embroidery to the next level with luxurious seam treatments and stunning stand-alone designs. Bestselling author Christen Brown’s traditional and contemporary techniques are showcased in a colorful gallery of crazy-quilted projects. “An overview of embroidery stitches and techniques as well as inspiration for embroidery projects . . . She dissects several of her pieces, summarizing the color palette, decorative elements, and stitches used.” —Library Journal

Find endless inspiration with this photo guide to embroidery stitches. Discover the 120 hand-embroidery stitches that every embroiderer should have in their stitching arsenal, with clear, step-by-step photos you can come back to time and again! Contemporary needlework teacher Sharon Boggon’s forward-thinking ideas will help you view hand embroidery through a vibrant new lens. Beginners and seasoned embroiderers will gain the confidence to create new patterns by playing with the stitches—manipulating the height and width, making asymmetrical loops, stacking up designs, or filling multiple rows with the same stitch. With so many creative variations and the author’s gorgeous samplers, you’ll be inspired to incorporate new techniques in your own crazy quilts and modern projects. Essential guide to surface embroidery! 120 contemporary stitches, including left-hand stitches, with step-by-step photos See how tiny tweaks to each stitch can take your needlework to unexpected places Play up the possibilities with modern fill patterns, asymmetry, luscious texture, and crazy quilting

Learn how to stitch all your favorite flowers, leaves and foliage with this collection of two hundred embroidery patterns. Modern hand embroidery expert, Kristen Gula, explains how to create two hundred beautiful floral motifs using just eight embroidery stitches. Show off your stitching and make unique gifts for friends and family with ten on-trend projects, including accessories and home décor. 200 Embroidered Flowers includes: Complete list of supplies needed to start your hand embroidery journey Seven stitch tutorials including whipped back stitch & French knot Two embroidery pattern transfer methods Two hundred different floral/foliage/plant embroidery patterns including tropical and desert plants, wildflowers, fruits and vegetables and more Ten embroidery projects (to go further with what you learn with the book) including tutorials such as embroidered shirt collars, shoes, appliqués, iron-on patches and more

An encyclopedia of embroidery stitches using stranded threads includes step-by-step photographs and instructions showing every stage of working a stitch. Alongside the stitches are practical hints on using different threads and fabrics, solving common problems, choosing and storing equipment, starting and finishing, and the use of hoops and frames.

How to Embroider Almost Everything is an inspiring, fun, and sophisticated collection of 500+ stitch motifs from embroidery designer Wendi Gratz that offers a fresh new take on embroidery. Get a detailed checklist of everything you’ll need to embark on your stitch journey: threads, needles, fabric, and more. Find step-by-step tutorials for essential stitches and other techniques for creating the motifs, plus answers to common questions and invaluable tips and tricks. Explore an amazing 500+ modern motifs for almost everything, including people and pets, trees and flowers, everyday objects, food, home, and more. Either re-create the motifs exactly as shown using the accompanying templates and stitch guides, or give them your own creative spin by changing details and colors to suit your own style. How to Embroider Almost Everything helps you take your first steps to embroidering to your heart’s content and creating beautiful drawings with needle and thread! Each book in the Almost Everything series offers readers a fun, comprehensive, and charmingly illustrated visual directory of ideas to inspire skill building in their creative endeavors.

An expert guide to popular surface-stitching techniques, suitable for stitchers of all abilities. Drawing on work previously published in the Search Press 'Beginner's Guide' series of needlecraft books, and originally published as The Stitching Book, this definitive guide to stitching provides a must-have reference for anyone interested in stitching and embroidery. Aimed at both absolute beginners and those wishing to explore new areas or to develop their existing skills, this book provides a complete, step-by-step guide to traditional stitching techniques, including drawn thread work, hardanger, goldwork, stumpwork, silk shading, crewel work, mountmellick and blackwork. Each section is written by an expert in that particular field, and leads the reader carefully through the history of the technique; the materials and equipment required; and the most popular stitches used. Each section includes hands-on projects, and are beautifully illustrated with examples of the author's work as well as step-by-step photographs and diagrams of the methods used. This timely book is the perfect choice for anyone whose interest in stitching has been re-awakened by the current trends in home sewing, and who wishes to make beautiful, hand-embroidered items for their home. With 26 projects.

“Charming . . . Hudson’s compilation will appeal to the beginner embroiderer with a yen for the ‘quick, simple, and easy.’” —Publishers Weekly Capture the magic of holidays (and every day!) with 30 hand-embroidery projects. Starting with simple stitches, you’ll add sweet sayings and motifs to home decor and gifts. Sew up country-cute pincushions, modern mug rugs, vintage-inspired pillows, and more! Whether you’re refreshing your home decor or sharing meaningful handmade gifts with a friend, you’ll love how quick and easy it is to sew up seasonal designs for each month of the year. Small, quick, and easy hand-embroidery projects to stitch all year long Bring meaning to the holidays! 30 seasonal projects to sew and share Cheerful illustrations to take your vintage-modern handmades to another level “The projects in the book are really cute and follow a season/special occasions theme. There’s something for each month, two projects for birthdays and a few extra . . . I think the book is worth it just for the cute little designs for the pincushions . . . If you’re someone who has friends that would enjoy a little quick gift, these are so perfect. The ‘Pinkeep’ I adore. The ‘Courage’ one would be great if you know anyone dealing with cancer or other hard life events.” —Jo’s Country Junction

Stumpwork is a highly decorative and imaginative embroidery technique, which typically uses raised and padded stitches that are rich in texture. This practical book explains how to create your own piece of stumpwork embroidery. Beginning with an introduction to the appropriate materials, equipment and tools, it instructs on a wide range of stitches and techniques, and illustrates them with ten delightful projects. It then explains how to design your own piece of stumpwork before advising on finishing, presenting and caring for you work. Written by a leading embroiderer, this beautiful book will inspire and encourage you to try this exciting technique and create your own exquisite designs. Contents include: Practical advice on working with threads, as well as how to stretch and prepare fabrics; Over 900 photographs to guide the reader through a wide range of decorative and raised stitches; Detailed instructions on combining stumpwork with a range of other techniques to create unique designs; Ten projects show how to use the stitches in designs, including stumpwork human figures. This practical guide will be of great interest to embroiderers, designers, theatre designers, interior designers and historians, and is beautifully illustrated with 983 colour photographs.