Embroidered Effects: Projects and Patterns to Inspire Your Stitching

by Jenny Hart, Aimée Herring (Photographer)

Embroidery empress Jenny Hart taught her legion of fans the basics with the best-selling Stitch-It Kit and Sublime Stitching . Now she takes stitchers one step further with instructions and diagrams for more than 35 stitches, some published here for the first time. To top it off, Embroidered Effects includes dozens of original (and reusable) iron-on transfers. With lots of project photos for guidance, even beginners can learn how to stitch faux tattoos on their shirt sleeves, cheeky fan dancers on their shower curtains, and many more fun projects.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Sewing, Art, Adult, Reference

160 pages, Spiral-bound

First published September 9, 2009

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful embroidery how-to book for beginners. Lots of stitches are covered and I feel like I got most of them (still need some practice on that open cretan stitch). I borrowed the ebook from my library which includes a link to a pdf of the patterns that are included as iron-ons in the hardcover. Honestly, that's better for me anyway since I'm more like to go the tracing route. All in all, a nice approachable guide.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve updated my 3-star review to 4 stars because I realized there are two sections of instructions I’ll refer to again:
1. She gives detailed instructions for transferring designs to fabric using freezer paper and
2. She gives detailed information on framing embroidery.
OK, three things...
3. She gives clever tips for cleaning embroidered pillows

ORIGINAL 3-STAR REVIEW:
The diagrams of stitches are next to impossible to decipher. I would not want to stitch any project in this book, although I like the design on the cover.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Resource for all

Finally someone who got it right. Perfect for beginners or as a reference book. Some great ideas for you to try and to serve as inspiration for your own creations.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the educational aspect, the designs are very clever, not really this old bag's cup of tea.

[Anne Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great projects.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best explanations of the stitches

[Michelle "Champ" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular!!! This is a fantastic book for a beginner or even advanced because there are some swell idea in here.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book by Jenny Hart. It's more embroidery technique-focused than the other two books I have reviewed on GoodReads. It's good, in the sense that I learned a few more stitches (I am way excited to try bordering projects with the "herringbone + hidden + french knots + lazy dazy" combo)!

The book doesn't hold as many transfers, which is a bummer - but the ones that she does provide all are big enough for larger-scale projects. Again, I love that. Hart also has a transfer that allows the reader to "practice" the stitches, but it's a cute design so you can actually turn it into something you can show-off. Neat!

I also enjoyed the home projects chapter. I NEVER would have though to stitch over patterned fabric, must less actually use different stitches to embellish prints. I have plenty of printed cotton purses that need some pizazz added to 'em. She also demonstrates how to use two colored threads in one needle and interchangeably use them while you stitch. Trust me, it's awesome and it makes sense once you actually try it. You may never stitch with just one color again.

Gosh, I'm all excited now. I see everything as a possibility to be embroidered. Stop signs (ha). Greeting cards. SCREENS. Wood. I gave this 5-stars because it is educational, but Hart truly treats embroidery as an art form and encourages one's imagination and creativity. <3

All the stitches are taught for right-handed people (for obvious reasons). **Note to left-handers: her instructions are simple enough that you can figure out how to stitch with your dominate hand. Very friendly.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I looked into this book as a possible follow-up to Sublime Stitching. I found that it had much of the same learning embroidery sections and many of the same stitches. There might have been a few more stitches defined in this book, but not enough to warrant buying it. This book is also project based, unlike Sublime Stitching. I think that for starting completely new to embroidery Sublime Stitching is a better book because of the patterns provided. The projects in Embroidered Effects are at multiple skill levels, but there are very few patterns included and I think patterns are key to beginning.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have this on loan from the library, and am working on the sampler. The instructions are very easy to follow, so it is a wonderful book for learning some new stitches, or learning stitching in general. There is some basic information to get started which is also super helpful.

The patterns are fun and cute! Also, I thought it was very cool how she shows you how to make portraits or child's art into patterns to stitch.

I will probably be buying this one, and that is really saying something!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to embroider, and Jenny Hart is definitely an inspiration. Although she has written other books, I think I will get the most use out of this one because she introduces some techniques here that I've never seen (and the instructions are clear and easy to follow). However, even if you're a beginner, this book can be helpful. The key to embroidery is patience and creativity. This book will help with both.

[stillme · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think she gives you a lot of ideas about what not to do, but I could use a little more instruction about the practical details - how many strands of thread to use, for example. The patterns are pretty cool, and I especially like that the first project gives you a way to practice all the stitches. Now if I could just get the needle threaded...

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute patterns and cute projects. She doesn't provide any actual instructions for the projects (for most projects she lists the materials and writes a half page long description), which could be frustrating for the new stitcher, but didn't bother me. There's nothing earth-shatteringly new here, but I always enjoy Jenny Hart's writing and designs!

[Chara · Rating 5 out of 5]

great starter book for a younger generation learning embroidery. I have never been taught any kind of needlepoint, I just learn as I go along, this book was great. It easily teaches you various types of stitches and shows you ways that they can be used in embroidery. It also has lots of great starter patterns to get your embroidery creativity flowing!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. For some reason it's almost as calming to me to read about embroidery as to embroider. I probably won't do any of the projects exactly as she describes, but I definitely got some ideas.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a simple, strightforward embroidery guide that has a youthful voice and always encourages exploration and invention. I can't imagine one better suited for me as a folk artist. Different from all other volumes on the subject.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful. Half the book is instruction and diagrams how to do stitch types. Followed by projects and transfer patterns.
Lots of color! Love the Day of the Dead skirt. Just not sure what I want to embrioder.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

She provides a lot of information but for those who already embroider it's nothing new. There are some patterns to use but not as much as she's given in the past, so it wasn't what I expected.

[Redrosevertigo0 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this mostly for the included iron on templates since the directions are not the best I have seen.

[Hollis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Half the book is how-to, the other half are projects and patterns.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book of un embroidery stitching, lots of cute and cool iron on transfer patterns

[Laureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

really cool ideas that i can actually do.

[Betty]

borrowed from Jackie

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the patterns included in the book, nice variety of projects.

[Lisa Leefeldt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute designs, examples of combining stitches