: Step-by-steps to learn over 70 hand embroidery stitches plus 20 colourful projects and a sampler

 

The Modern Embroidery Handbook is a tutorial guide with patterns for surface embroidery (including a pattern sampler to keep as a primer) by Clare Albans. Due out 30th May 2024 (30th April in the UK) from Pen & Sword on their White Owl imprint, it's 128 pages and will be available in paperback format. 

It's nice to see embroidery and other fibrecrafts enjoying a renaissance of sorts. In times (long) past, people would learn these skills as a matter of necessity, handed down from generation to generation in the family. That's no longer true, so crafters must turn to other sources of instruction. The internet (youtube, ravelry, et.al.) and other social media channels are good sources of instruction, but for not-strictly-visual learners, books are still vital. For folks who learn better with a book in front of them than constantly pausing a video, this is a good instructional volume. 

It's a well written and formatted guide to embroidery projects along with basic stitch instructions and templates which are suitable for beginning and up embroiderers. The introduction includes instructions for a colorful primer/sampler where readers can learn the stitches, and have a finished project for reference for further projects. The actual project chapters build on one another and cover beginning basics, borders & edging, decorative stitches & motifs, and textures & knots. The final chapter includes templates and tips. 

There are QR codes scattered throughout with links to further information and online content.

The stitch diagrams which are provided include clear line drawn schematics for straight stitch, lazy daisy, satin, French knot, chain stitch, and other surface embroidery techniques. It would be possible to complete the projects in the book by just using the stitch tutorials, but obviously having a more experienced stitching buddy would help. It should be noted that this book is about surface embroidery, not cross stitch.  It's lovely to see tutorials and and upswing in interest for the other fibrearts; it seems like only cross-stitch had any following for a long long time and it's nice to see surface embroidery enjoying a renaissance.

Very colourful and appealing projects. Four and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.