The Only Embroidery Book You'll Ever Need

I bought this book as a refresher; I'd been away from this art form for some time...I have to tell all of you crafters---this is the only book you will ever need. It is precise and beautifully illustrated. Directions are easily understood and the book covers embroidery as well as needlepoint stitches. The best feature is that because it is spiral bound it is easy to lay the book down and work on a project while using the book--no flipping pages...Overall...this was a well thought out useful book for all crafters dabbling in the art of stitchery.

The Embroidery Stitch Bible

Well illustrated, with an endless number of stitches and suggested applications. The spiral binding makes this book a great take-along on trips or to classes.

great resource

This book is a great resource for learning and referencing stitches. It's not going to inspire you, but it's a great book since it has all the stitches on one place.

Love this book!

I am a novice embroiderer, and I love this book! It has great pictures and diagrams that I was able to follow easily, and I tend to have trouble in that area. It includes tons of different stitches, too.

Just what I wanted! GREAT stitch guide for learning and reference!

First of all, the ORGANIZATION of the book is FABULOUS!

It starts out with a 15-page "stitch selector" which includes color thumbnail photos of all the stitches covered. The stitches are separated into two groups: Stitches for Fabric and Stitches for Canvas. Within these, the author shows each one of the basic foundational stitches and 6 - 9 of the variations on that stitch, giving page numbers to go directly to those insructions.

Next, is an Embroidery Essentials section, which goes through the basics of tools and materials. In this section, she does a great job of talking about the appropriateness of various tools and materials to a particular piece of work. For example, which needles to use for embroidery on silk fabrics, which fabrics are best used for freestyle embroidery and which for counted stitch work. Also here are instructions on marking a design on fabric, stabilizing fabric, working from and reading charts, how to create your own chart, and the basics on beginning and ending a stitch.

Each section on the stitches themselves, begins with a photo of a sampler that includes the stitch and its variations covered. The mechanics of each stitch are illustrated and described, topped by a photo showing the stitched used in various ways (like variations on the variation). The author also talks about where and how the stitches are usually used. It's all very clear and easy to follow.

There are over 100 pages devoted to the first section on stitches for fabrics, which includes 16 basic, foundational stitches and 6 - 9 variations on those. Over 50 pages are devoted to stitches for canvas, detailing 5 basic stitches and 6 - 9 variations. Over 200 stitches are fully illustrated, photographed and described.

The last 50 or so pages are devoted to more information on various techniques such as cutwork, quilting, applique, counted stitch, freestyle embroidery, shadow work, how to finish off and display, etc.

HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend this to the beginner who wants to teach themselves the basics of embroidery, to the more advanced needle worker who wants a good reference on over 200 stitches.