Edgy Embroidery: Transform Conventional Stitches into 25 Unconventional Designs

by Renee Rominger

Bold Designs That Don't Follow the RulesEmbroidery isn’t just florals anymore, it’s a moth with pinned wings, an old haunted house on a hill or a cow skull with a flower crown. You won’t find “home sweet home” here, but you will find “Can U Not” or “Don’t Be A Prick.” Renee Rominger, founder of Moonrise Whims, designs projects for a new generation. And whether you just started and need a solid foundation, or you’re an expert looking to enhance your art, Edgy Embroidery will teach you something new, fun and easy.Renee not only shows you how to conquer basic techniques, but also how to create more complex stitches like her unique Moonrise Roses. With pattern templates, detailed stitch tutorials and instructions on how to complete each design, every one of these 25 projects will be wall-worthy.This is definitely not your grandmother’s embroidery.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crafts, Art, Sewing

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2017

Reviews

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun projects with clear instructions. Meant for embroidery newbies. I haven't done any crafting since the pandemic started, but at least I am reading books about crafting again.

[Katya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I recently started doing embroidery and thought this would be helpful, but it could have been a blog post. The first embroidery kit I bought (from Hoffelt & Hooper on Etsy) came with a helpful booklet filled with info for newbies that I feel was more informative in general than this book. This one did go into what fabric to buy and how to transfer a PDF or drawing pattern onto cloth, but you can also just google it. Overall not super helpful unless you are a 100% newbie, never picked up a needle before.

[Gabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this delightful book among the faded, more "normal" embroidery books in the book store. As a beginner in embroidery, I love how Renee explains the process from beginning to end (e.g. how to put fabric in your hoop, what kind of fabric to use, how to finish a hoop). It also shows a variety of stitches, from basic (backstich, satin stitch) to more complex (french knots, roses, leaves). Lastly, it has designs from basic to more complex, which builds through the book as you learn the stitches. The patterns are great, but can also be customized (once you know what you're doing). I would highly recommend this book. It is a great book for a beginner or for anyone looking for some inspiration.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent and approachable introduction to embroidery with fun designs, and SUPER easy instructions. If you have never embroidered before and want to start, this is a great book to pick up. Renee makes it easy. There are several patterns in just one stitch, then more patterns in another stitch, then she starts combine two here and three there, but they are still approachable!

Renee also goes into finishing, pattern transfer, and different methods of organization so you get everything you need in this one book. She also includes all the designs in this book in an easy-to-transfer separate section, which God bless her for! Finally, she explains how to make and/or customize your own patterns easily, breaking it down again step by step.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic premise: A modern embroidery how to book.

This is a very solid beginning embroiderers' book. It teaches several stitches and how to pick materials, as well as giving several non-traditional patterns the utilize the various stitches. It is set up to have easier stitches first that then build toward more complex stitches, which is really useful for a beginner. I'm much more familiar with cross stitch than traditional embroidery, so I'm looking forward to taking a stab at this. (Awful pun, I know).

[Shelley Peper · Rating 4 out of 5]

The simplicity of this book is perfect for a beginner like me, and the designs are super fun and trendy. I want to make them all! I already have two picked out for both an anniversary gift and a Christmas present. This book is going to keep me busy for awhile, helping me to improve my stitches. Some books get way too detailed for beginners, and end up being coffee table books. Not this one. I'm sure it will be dog-eared and coffee stained by the time I'm done.

[Kelli Goforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I got into embroidery over the holiday break and got this book to learn more. The patterns in the back can be removed from the book so its easier to trace. They give step by step on how to do the different stitches as well as the colors used in the sample picture of the completed stitch. I can keep this book as a reference if i forget a stitch rather than searching youtube videos for what im trying to do!

[Boots · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a couple embroidery books before this one to learn some basic stitching. I did enjoy this and found some new stitches I hadn’t tried before. TBH I haven’t used any of the patterns because I’ve basically been creating my own patterns since i started, BUT I do think her patterns are very cute and fun. One day when I have some down time I’d love to try the haunted castle one 🤗

[Krissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm obsessed with this book. The patterns are awesome and easy to follow. Each one has instructions and tells which stitches to use. Great for beginners (which I am). The photos for the different stitches are step by step and don't cause me any confusion at all. I love it. I want to order the other book by this lady.

[Amanda Pittar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Little Book

I’m always thinking “ after all this time, I could make my own embroidery... after this one...”
This perfect little book gave me the just the exact push to do my own. It cleared away every obstacle, every excuse, every prevarication- I even bought a light box.
Thank you. It’s amazing what a sensible little book can do..

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well organized, basic embroidery book. Introduces a basic library of stitches and provides projects to experiment with. Limited information on tools and materials. Focus on working in wooden hoop only.

[Ligaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, book on subversive embroidery! I will likely never do any designs from this book but I enjoyed reading about the author's techniques and tips and seeing her designs. I would have loved to see her studio set-up! Clear instructions, copious photographs, well organized.

[Sara Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed that what made this "edgy" was a few designs/projects that had skulls and what not. I didn't really find it all that edgy or interesting. That is me - this just wasn't what I needed at this time.

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome embroidery ideas and patterns that are modern, stylish, and fun! Great for beginners looking to learn the craft. Can't stress how much I love the patterns!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The instructions and techniques were easy to follow and I learned some good pointers.

[Danielle Mamaril · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read and finished every single pattern. I deserve to put this as read. Great embroidery book for beginners or even just some fun patterns for more experienced artists.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice designs and well made projects, just nothing I want to make. (Not because of the "edginess", I wouldn't hang traditional embroidery in hoops on my wall either.)

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really great guide to hand embroidery. Perfect for any beginner