TAST Week 24

So we are back again, for TAST week 24. This week is not only fun, it is also an easy week for both the TAST and the Beyond TAST streams. I hope you all have fun! Fern Stitch is a very quick and easy stitch to work. So for those …

Mini Lesson on how to adapt and tweak stitches to make them yours. 

Adapting stitches, pattern making and discovering what is possible with a single stitch is one of my joys in life. This has been an ongoing quest as regular readers will know. A stitch can do so much more than simply be a line of stitches. With a little imagination, your …

TAST Break Week 2

TAST Break Week 2 is upon us — in other words, it’s a catch-up week. If you are up to date with your homework, take a little break. I don’t know a stitcher who has not got other projects to work on – so this is your chance. By all means …

Why increase your stitch vocab published by C&T

With my next book Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery, Volume 2 coming out soon my publishers C&T asked me to write an article for their blog. I tackled the subject of why you would want to add more stitches to your repertoire – and came up with some solid reasons. …

TAST Week 23

For TAST week 23 I have a stitch that is new to TAST this week. It is Interlaced Band which is worked between two lines of Back stitch. This stitch is great for using novelty yarns and thicker threads. My main tip for this stitch and any stitch where you are …

TAST Week 22

The stitch for Take a Stitch Tuesday (TAST) week 22 is an interesting version of Chain stitch, called Cable chain stitch. This is a pleasant stitch to work because you can develop a good easy-paced rhythm. It is also a very useful stitch, as it is a linear stitch that …

My new book is out now!

I have a copy of my book in my hands. I am totally delighted with Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery Vol 2. as C&T have done a wonderful job. This next volume is a practical reference book for stitchers and like the first volume I feel people will actually use it.

Loop stitch sample in Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery, Volume 2

Like the first volume this is a modern stitch reference book of more than New 114 surface embroidery stitches. These are all new stitches that are different from the first volume. Every stitch has clear step‑by‑step photographs for both left and right‑handed stitchers so readers can follow along easily and refer back whenever they need. There is a visual table of contents of thumbnail images of stitches which helps readers quickly find what they need.

Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery, Volume 2 with samples

For anyone who has read my blog or taken part in TAST you will know that I always focus on a contemporary approach to embroidery while also presenting teaching materials in a way that the information is useful for traditional crazy‑quilt and surface‑embroidery projects. This book is no different. I have also included lots of eye candy as inspirational stitched sample pieces are throughout the book. I hope to show how to combine stitches into rich, modern surfaces and give you loads of ideas. As always my aim is to encourages self‑expression and “creative embroidery” rather than copying rigid patterns.

Check out the video for a flip through review.

My New Book: Creative Stitches Volume 2 — Now Available

Book cover of Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery, Volume 2

Explore a further 114 NEW hand embroidery stitches with clear, step-by-step photos, and practical, straightforward instructions for both left and right-handed stitchers! Try out inventive techniques, and gain confidence to play with stitches. Experiment with stitches and apply them to your own contemporary designs. My book is perfect for anyone who loves hand embroidery, crazy quilting, or slow stitching. And I have included loads of photos to inspire your creative journey.