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.

TAST Week 21

The stitch for Take a Stitch Tuesday (TAST) Week 21 is Oyster Stitch which looks difficult until you understand how it works. Once you understand the mechanics of it, this stitch is quick and easy to work. And it produces a nice textured chain stitch that you can use in …

TAST Week 20

The stitch for TAST week 20, is Bullion Knot. I know many people feel intimidated by this stitch, but read the tips in my tutorial for Bullion Knot Stitch and hopefully, they will help you. In the tutorial, there are many illustrations to help you see where those tips can be …

The Blue Tote bag is Finished!

My blue tote is finished. Well actually the tote is blue and white with a dash of red to make it pop. I assembled it last week and took it to a craft fair yesterday and got so many spontaneous comments that I decided to share it here. Over a …

TAST Week 19

TAST Week 19 is Coral stitch. This stitch is an old embroidery stitch but it’s a very quick and useful stitch that creates a knotted line. Coral stitch can be used for outlines, as it follows a curve well so experiment a bit with it — as it’s a great substitute …

TAST Week 18

For TAST Week 18, we have two stitches that you can work on a grid. People often use Algerian Eye Stitch in even-weave embroidery techniques. These include canvas work, pulled work embroidery, and forms of counted thread work. However, it has a simple structure which means you can adapt it …

TAST Week 17

For TAST week 17 the stitch is French Knots. French Knots are lovely on their own, or as little accents in part of a design. In the sample above I have worked French knots in silk ribbon. Many people have a frustrating time learning this stitch, so visit my tutorial …