Big Book of Embroidery: 250 Stitches with 29 Creative Projects (Landauer) Essential Techniques, Designs for Decor, Shirts, Linens, and a Stitch Guide to Loop, Straight, Cross, Woven, Split, and More

by Renée Méry

Your go-to reference guide for embroidery! A visual encyclopedia of stitches, Big Book of Embroidery is the essential reference guide for both beginner and experienced embroiderers. Packed with 250 popular embroidery stitches and techniques for looped stitches, straight stitches, knotted stitches, cross-stitch, long stitches, and more, this book will help you to understand the basics while you learn to embroider various details and designs within those fundamental methods. After learning the basic stitches and their variations, move on to the more advanced woven, couching, smocking, and needlework stitches, plus many more! Learn the art of embroidery quickly with concise text, easy-to-follow close-up photography, and step-by-step instructions and illustrations. Also included are 29 inspirational projects to create décor, shirts, shorts, tablecloths, linens, wall hangings, and more so you can practice and build on the skills and designs you've learned. Embroider charming flowers, succulents, birds, hearts, snowflakes, butterflies, fruits, and more, with confidence! Big Book of Embroidery is perfect for anyone, from beginner to experienced, who wants to learn and master the traditional craft of embroidery. With this comprehensive guide in hand, you'll be able to accomplish and perfect every stitch under the sun! "If you've ever had the desire to pick up a needle and thread, the Big Book of Embroidery is sure to get you started. With in-depth stitch guides and beautiful projects, there's something for every style and skill-level."
—Esme Clemo, Craft and Home Editor, Woman & Home and Woman's Weekly

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published November 11, 2019

Reviews

[Candida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute projects. Didn't do any of them because I mostly wanted to check out the embroidery stitches. Just when I think I've seen them all, I find more. That's the rookie in me. Can't imagine trying all the variations because they are pretty much infinite. I so admire the craft.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed diagrams and inspiring projects. If only there were instructions/diagrams for left handed stitchers!

[Mischelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The visual of how to do a stitch is well done. However the individual project directions are not very helpful and the designs are pretty boring.

[Mckinley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Many stitches I wasn't aware of. Helpful instructions and diagrams.

[Susan Collinsworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would rate this book for an intermediate, or confident beginner and it's because of the editing & translation. The embroidery designs are creative and unique. Patterns to remember: fern fronds in satin stitch; outlines of various leaves (chain stitch); birds; floral arrangements; cherries using cross stitch in stripes, houndstooth, etc.

An alphabet in various crosstitch designs offers charts for only 6 of the designs. Now, it's crosstitch, so you could draft your own chart. But maybe a beginner wouldn't want to!
Patterns mention certain stitches, with a page number for those instructions, but when you turn to that page there's nothing by that name. It can be deduced, but it's an extra step and an extra layer of uncertainty.

There are instructions for 250 stitches, but personally I cannot understand the explanations. Lost in translation?

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gets incredible props for the number of stitches it has in it. It is also exceedingly clear and concise in teaching you how to do them. However, the projects are mostly dated and not something I either want to do or would want to give someone. There's a flamingo luggage tag that I think is funny, but I've been told that I'm not supposed to base most of my gift giving off of what amuses me but rather on what I think the person might like.

Everything old is new again however, so this might all be coming back. And there is a makeup bag that looks like my grandma would own it. Some people REALLY love that look. This book is for them.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Instruction was decent, but a bit rushed, so some things aren't clear. Lots of project ideas, although far too many variations on alphabet designs. Could've used some variety in design ideas.