The Atlas of World Embroidery: A Global Exploration of Heritage and Styles

by Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood

A richly illustrated history of embroidery and needlework, showcasing the glorious range of styles, motifs, and materials used around the world

Embroidery is one of the world’s most widely shared forms of creative expression—and one of its most varied and diverse. It can be found in every region, yet its visual languages, themes, and techniques vary some are marked by unique styles and others show influences from neighboring cultures. The Atlas of World Embroidery examines many distinctive embroidery styles and traditions found across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australasia.

From the quillwork and birch boxes of Indigenous North America to the decorative matyo style of Hungary, the zardozi embroiderers of India, and the satin stitches of Han Dynasty China, Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood provides a comprehensive history of embroidery, describing its materials and tools, its designs and symbols, and its uses and makers. Emphasizing the visual aspects of embroidery across cultures, the atlas features an unprecedented array of color images celebrating the art form.

Organized geographically by region and country, and focusing on hand needlework with relevant examples of machine forms, The Atlas of World Embroidery is a beautiful and authoritative exploration of this ancient craft.


Lavishly illustrated throughout in full color with more than 300 imagesFeatures full and close-up images of embroidered fabrics, including household items and clothing, along with insightful analysisIncludes sections on the Americas; Europe; Sub-Saharan Africa; the Arabic World; Turkey, the Iranian Plateau, and Central Asia; the Indian Subcontinent; East Asia; and Southeast Asia and Australasia—with subsections on individual countries, cultures, and kinds of embroideryContains a directory of design motifs depicting patterns from around the world

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

400 pages, Hardcover

Published February 17, 2026

Reviews

[Theresa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Embroidery has long been a part of my life, it's a craft that is also an art, time consuming and meticulous in its execution, yet so stunning when completed.

My grandmother embroidered by hand, she had a love of tapestry and any spare time she had, she could be found by the dining room window at her embroidery stand, stitching while listening to music. I am fortunate to have several pieces of her finished work framed and gracing my walls. They are pieces of her, hold the essence of who she truly was.

I also have her collection of threads, saved from being thrown out after she passed away, some of which are pictured here. Perhaps I am overly nostalgic about certain things, but when I open the box containing these left over skeins of thread and rummage through them, I can still smell her unique blend of 4711 Cologne and hand cream infused with roses. So, they stay, in the box, within my care.

This beautiful book, The Atlas of World Embroidery by Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood, is a treasure for those who appreciate the art of embroidery. It's an around the globe homage, filled with gorgeous photos and stories, from history through to contemporary stitching. It even contains a directory at the back of design motifs, for those who want to try their hand at any of the designs.

Thanks to @newsouthpublishing and @newsouthbooksau for this beautiful book to read and share. It will be adorning my coffee table for a long time to come.