No matter what your experience level, there are some books that you should have on your embroidery bookshelf – whether they are specific to your favorite technique, or generalist, check out this list of recommendations! I can’t promise to cover all techniques here, or all books, so I’ve had to limit myself! (and yes – it was very hard to make selections!)
Embroidery “How To” Guides
| Royal School of Needlework Embroidery Techniques This is one of the most useful books I own. It covers a number of different techniques, and each technique is accompanied by a project. Beautifully illustrated, and with well set out and explained instructions, it will inspire you to try something different. | |
| Mary Thomas’ Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches First published in 1934, this book has long been a favorite reference for embroiderers. This edition has been fully updated by Jan Eaton and features over 400 stitches with full colour diagrams. | |
| Readers Digest Complete Guide to Embroidery Stitches Another tried and true favorite that has recently been updated. Easy to follow illustrations and beautiful pictures. |
Crewel & Surface Embroidery (freestyle embroidery)
| Crewel & Surface Embroidery: Inspriational Designs Sixteen beautiful projects will have you itching to stitch! Clear, concise instructions, and the projects are suited to both beginners and more experienced stitchers! | |
| Beginners Guide to Silk Shading I love the technique of silk shading (also known as thread painting), and this books gives great easy to follow illustrations and stitch guides. There are four projects in this book, with instructions not only on stitches, but also fabric preparation as well as transferring the pattern to the fabric. | |
| A – Z of Crewel Embroidery The only problem I had was choosing which of this series of books to include! Anybody who knows “Inspirations” magazine (published by Country Bumpkin in Australia) knows that quality of their work – and their A – Z series is definitely one that I would recommend all embroiderers make the effort to collect. Great colour illustrations and photographs, and clear instructions make these books an absolute joy! My guilty confession: when my family asks for gift suggestions for me, I always ask for the latest one of these books! |
Machine Embroidery
| Machine Embroidery for Special Occasions Enjoy yourself with this delightful book containing machine embroidery projects for special occasions! As a bonus, the book also comes with a CD that contains 40 designs and more than 15 projects! | |
| Machine Embroidery Essentials: How to Stabilize, Hoop and Stitch Decorative Designs I keep coming back and recommending this book. For both beginners and more experienced machine embroiderers, you will find projects and knowledge that will only enhance your stitching experience. The new edition of this book comes with a free CD featuring 6 exclusive designs. | |
| Donna Dewberry’s Machine Embroidery Flowers Donna Dewberry is a well known painter and the host of PBS “One Stroke Painting”. This book takes the technique of folk art and applies it to machine embroidery in a number of beautiful and decorative projects. Includes a CD, and this book is great for both beginner and more experienced embroiderers. |
Drawn and Pulled Thread Work
| Beginners Guide to Hardanger In my opinion, the best Hardanger book you can get! Jill Carter is a well known embroidery teacher, and this book contains simple projects, well set out instructions and beautiful illustrations. This will definitely encourage you to give Hardanger a try! | |
| Beginners Guide to Drawn Thread Embroidery Used for hundreds of years to embellish both clothing and household linens, this lovely book gives clear instructions and also includes other methods to embellish your embroidery. Step by step instructions guide you through with ease. | |
| Pulled Thread Embroidery I will admit that this book is a favorite of mine. Packed with illustrations, and clear instructions, it also includes some photographs of historical work. It’s a book that I turn to often for reference. |
Cross Stitch
| Art Nouveau in Cross Stitch This is a favorite of mine – I love Art Novueau, and have used the charts in here from everything from bookmarks to greeting cards! | |
| The Cross Stitchers Bible When you’re talking cross stitch instruction, then Jane Greenoff is the lady who is the guru! Packed full of information, in well set out sections, this book covers everything from reading a chart to adapting commercial charts. This is another absolute must have for both beginners and more experienced cross stitchers! | |
| The Best of Teresa Wentzler Collection Volume 2 I’m sure none of the cross stitchers are surprised at this inclusion. Teresa’s charts are more suited to experienced stitchers, but, once you’ve finished, you are well rewarded! She’s one of my favorite cross stitch designers – how can I not love somebody who depicts such magnificent dragons! |
Miscellaneous Techniques
| Traditional Irish Embroidery: Mountmellick Work Written by an Irish teacher of this technique, this book contains beautiful photographs, well written instructions and a wealth of projects! It is divided into clear sections, and includes a short history of this technique. | |
| Three Dimensional Embroidery Stitches Dimensional embroidery has a long history, starting with stumpwork, and moving through into Silk Ribbon and Brazilian embroidery. This book shows various stitches and techniques for this very tactile form of embroidery. | |
| Dreamscapes in Ribbon Embroidery and Stumpwork How could you resist a book that containes projects combining ribbon embroidery and stumpwork? Four painted projects that are enhanced by embroidery, with clear explainations. These projects also use a variety of freestyle stitches and techniques, including beading, trapunto and needlelace. It’s definitely a treasure for all embroiderers! |
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Happy Stitching
© 2007 Megan McConnell
