Cross Stitch for the Soul: 20 Designs to Inspire

by Emma Congdon

Craft your own comfort with these uplifting cross stitch projects featuring spirit-boosting quotes.

Cross Stitch for the Soul is a collection of beautifully designed motivational and inspirational quotes rendered in easy cross-stitching techniques that will raise the spirits, both during the making process and beyond, as gifts for loved ones or as treasured pictures on the wall.

Cross stitch is a wonderfully calming and mindful occupation, a chance to slow down, embrace the process, and create something beautiful. The twenty designs in this collection feature quotes that will resonate with anyone in need of a little boost.

Designed by leading cross stitch designer Emma Congdon, aka Stitchrovia, whose modern styling appeals to crafters of all ages and abilities, these inspiring quotes will provide comfort, motivation, and an all-around positive spin on life, reminding us that we are brave, we are strong, and we have the power to make our own futures--one stitch at a time!

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference, Sewing, How To, Ebooks, Art

147 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 28, 2020

Reviews

[Heidi (can’t retire soon enough) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t wait to get started on these!!

[Lex · Rating 4 out of 5]

The aphorisms may be sickeningly sappy, but the quality of the typography speaks for itself! These are gorgeous designs with some very clever blending of colors and use of space. I learned a lot just from glancing through and you better believe I'm going to try out a few techniques!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many of the inspirational sayings are too shallow and saccharine for my taste, but some of the designs are very creative, and I liked some of the quotes.

[Brenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The designs are fun but the quotes are meh. Overall, I love Emma Congdon’s work!

[Elizabeth Judd Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty patterns, inspiring quotes. A great feel good cross stitch book.

[Cindy Mac Jac · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book with delightfully modern inspirational quotes. I love the suggested colour pallets for the DMC threads.

[amy boese · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is a pandemic, politics are a freaking disaster, and I'm looking for a new outlet. This book seemed like a modern entry into a soothing but v. froofy pastime. However, this is NOT cross stitch for a demented soul like mine. This is for souls who really believe that blooming where they are planted is a thing they should painstakingly take time to remind themselves. There are no swears. I will pass.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for the 2025 Nonfiction Reader Challenge task How-To. I know a book of cross stitch patterns might be a bit of a stretch, but it also included tips on what kind of fabrics to choose, a mini crash course on how to cross stitch if you never have before, and even had little tidbits on how to wade through life's problems that tied into each pattern.

And the patterns themselves were cute and colorful, but a bit basic and fell under the "Live, Laugh, Love" type of home decor. So I might stitch one or two as a present, but not something that would fit in my own home (I prefer nerdier patterns).

[Ligaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the inspirational quotes weren't really for me—I'm more into the subversive stitching— but the designing of each project is quite fantastic! They are balanced and colorful and very well designed! I particularly appreciated the single strands used to outline letters or quietly add a slight flourish to the piece. The full-scale charts are great to those of us who don't have young eyes! I don't know if I'll ever cross-stitch again, but this is a good reference.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Checked out in my continuing quest to make my way thru the library cross stitch books. Aphorisms and florals aren’t my thing, but the author comes from a graphic design background and it shows. The typography and detail on these is extremely well done. I won’t be making these, but if you’re into this sort of thing I haven’t seen better.

[Julia Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet to try but inspired to start

Half the battle won right there.

Easy to follow instructions and beautiful designs, not as extreme as subversive cross stitch but not as twee and dated as some traditional cross stitch manuals either. Perfect balance with plenty of designs and colour combinations that I’ll be happy to hang at home or gift to loved ones.

[Becket · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this ages ago and completely forgot to include it here. (Note to future self: you're allowed to count ALL the books you read, narrative or otherwise.) I love Congdon's dynamic lettering style, and will definitely stitch some of these designs in the future.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full size designs (at least hoop size) of quotations, many of them common ones like “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” but some more uniquely inspirational or affirmational. None that I wanted to make outright.

[Emma (littledollreads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

These patterns are definitely not my style and not what I want to work on. They are a bit too much outside of my whole aesthetic and vibe and are honestly a bit soulless. I am not an inspirational quote on your wall person and frankly, I don't trust anyone who is.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Upbeat stitch patterns positive messages.

[Evalina]

I love this book. The ideas presented are so wonderful and inspiring.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book is beautiful. The patterns are bright, vibrant and engaging. The book gives instructions and helps you learn. A total must read for any cross stitch fan

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uplifting phrases with a lot of bright lettering and colors.

[Bookerkc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never underestimate the power of graphic design. Beautiful font work and great color combinations.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like stitching lettering (yes) and meaningful words of wisdom including ‘bloom where you are planted’, you will enjoy this chart book. Plenty to choose from.

[Anna Wildey · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent instructions, inspiring
worthwhile

[Aimee]

If you like cross stitch phrases, I’d recommend this one.

[Jessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute patterns, easy to follow, well organized.

[JoAnna Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

easy to follow!

Fantastic patterns that are easy to follow. I used several to put in frames for my teen daughters end table. Great read!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice patterns, but I borrowed the ebook from the library and it was difficult to match overlapping of the patterns when they were divided into quarters or so.

Definitely buy/borrow in print.

[Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible!

Beautiful Coloration of wonderful quotes. These will inspire both new and veteran cross stitchers to cross stitch more, or to begin cross stitching.

[Reading with Cats · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sayings may not have been to my taste, but the designs are beautiful.

[ReadKnitHoard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous designs, I'd stitch at least half of them for myself immediately. (The minute I start cross stitching.) Really, the creative use of color, pictures, and text is amazing!

[B · Rating 2 out of 5]

All right, but no designs I wanted to make.