The 11 Best books of Embroidery (2023 reviews)

The various book of embroidery is capable of outshining several other book featured in this list in overall features. The Royal School of needlework teaches hand embroidery to the highest standard, developing techniques in new and innovative ways. This book gives the history, stitches, and examples of different methods of embroidery. It offers a range of courses for beginners through to advanced. It also contains sections on needlepoint, silk shading, crewel, goldwork, stumpwork, whitework and bead embroidery. It is a treasure trove of ideas and techniques.

This book should be on the books shelf of every serious embroiderer as well as a 'newbie' to the art of embroidery so that they will learn from the best and will push themselves to learn new and better techniqes. The book's subtitle is, "a guide to essential stitches, techniques, and projects" and it absolutely delivers on that promise.

Why We Like This:

Wonderful designs that make new embroidery designs exciting for different gift ideas
Stunning and complete, every conceivable embroidery method available
Excellent book for those who enjoy learning from a book

Best For seasonal Designs: Yumiko Higuchi Book of Embroidery

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Not everyone likes to purchase book for their daily purpose, but the yumiko higuchi book of embroidery would be an anomoly. It's nice to see surface embroidery coming back into its own. The designs in this book are a real contemporary take on classic embroidery. This book is laid out in a calendar format with different project sections gathered into months / seasons. There is a very short technique chapter between the monthly project sections and the line drawings of the patterns. The photography is very clear. The line drawings of the patterns also include recommended stitch fillers. It is ideal for decor or clothing applications.

Why We Like This:

Lovely and useful addition to the embroiderer's library
Very well done and sweet whimsical stitch patterns
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best For More tricky Stitches: Christi Johnson Book of Embroidery

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The christi johnson book of embroidery gives the top-tier book a run for their money by offering flagship specs at a much more affordable price. This book goes beyond how to complete a stitch and inspires you how to create your own embroidered art. It makes your embroidery glow with mystical meaning, guided by christi johnson’s rich treasury of 200 magical symbols. Whether you’re a new or experienced stitcher, you’ll be inspired to expand your practice of creative and mindful embroidery. This book is so generous in the way it perfectly balances supportive, clear instructional content and technical information with permission, guidance, and encouragement to experience creativity and process free from perfectionism or external constraints and expectations. There is a good spread of designs, none too satanic or witchcraft looking.

This is more than just embroidery, this is a book about bringing intention and magic and fullness to your life. Christi’s thoughtful instructions and the gorgeous photos and illustrations will make an embroidery artist out of anyone. It has clear instructions and beautiful patterns.

Why We Like This:

Unique bohemian embroidery designed by you
Expression that embodies, through tangible visual symbols, the power of the spiritual imagination
Great resource for all skill levels

Best For flower: Trish Burr Book of Embroidery

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate book. The trish burr book of embroidery is exactly that - it's a simple book that hits all the right notes. If you want to learn to do beautiful embroidery, this is the book to start a wonderful journey. It is more artistic and expressive than cross stitch. It is perfect gift for beginners in long and short stitch embroidery. The instructional diagrams and photos are designed so that you know exactly how to proceed.

It is easy to learn step by step instructions with beautiful colored photos. The instructions are largely easy to follow, the designs are wonderful, and the tips are great for beginners. It is definitely a good buy if you want to begin to hand embroider, or up your skill level. This is a new slant on embroidery and should be a lot of fun.

Why We Like This:

Simple and lovely ideas for stitchers
Begins with lessons for beginners, then intermediate and advanced
Colorful with full instructions for each project
Thread, hoops and frames, magnifying lamp and fabric is also given

Best For contemporary Embroidery: Gayla Partridge Book of Embroidery

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If you often find yourself scrambling for appropriate and satisfactory book, gayla partridge book of embroidery should be your first option for buying. This book is a gift to whomever looks upon it, full of amazing works of art that belong displayed in art galleries and museums. The photography is amazing & each project is beautifully executed in detail. The pictures are large enough to see stitch definition and basic pattern shapes are included. The patterns provide a nice framework for you to work while also allowing you to exercise your own creativity.

The embroidery in this book is unique and beautiful. The photos are beautiful and the designs are very unique. This is not a beginner book and does not include instructions on how to step by step create flowers or make a french knot. This book will give you another way of looking at the art of embroidery.

Why We Like This:

An excellent guide to embroidery with an eye for encouraging creativity within a pattern
Each piece is beautiful and unique
You can do a cruelty free version in embroidery

Best For someone: Book of Embroidery

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If you want nothing less than best desirable book, then book of embroidery is the one you should definitely consider, as it manages to bring a lot to the table. It allows embroiderers, from beginners to advanced, to be able to enhance their skills with real-world projects. The A-Z of Embroidery Stitches has beautiful pictures & easy to follow instructions. This book has great instructions with colour photos for each step. It takes practice and patience until you master it. This helps you avoid unnecessary material purchases and get through your next project faster with.

This is a great book to review your stitches. It is a quick reference guide as it is arranged in alphabetical order. There is a good variety of stiches for someone who wants to go beyond cross stitch and the basics.

Why We Like This:

Perfect starter book for learning stitches
Excellent step by step picture guide with embroidery stitches
Good brand reputation

Best beginner Book: Jennifer Clouston Book of Embroidery

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The jennifer clouston book of embroidery's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. It is a great addition to your stitch library. It includes very clear classic stitch instructions and photographs of real embroidery. The photos are well organized to compare options for each stitch or plant, and well labeled to get diagrams and instructions for individual stitches. It would be great for anyone who dislikes exactly copying designs but likes flower embroidery, and the patterns aren't out of reach for beginners.

The buttons are all made of shells, many with beautiful carvings. The designs that are included are flexible and usable for many styles. The pictures/labeling of the stitches is super easy to follow. It is no need to rush out and buy the thread that would traditionally be used in embroidery.

Why We Like This:

Drawn instructions are also very clear
Very clear picture illustrations and examples
All of the elements that you need to create lovely florals-in-stitch

Best reference Book: DK Book of Embroidery

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The dk book of embroidery should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. This embroidery book is very detailed, has beautiful color pictures and almost all the stitches you could possibly do. It covers stitches in embroidery and needlepoint. It has clear, well-organized step-by-step instructions on so many stitches that is easy to follow. The illustrations are concise and well done.

This book is made well and offers so many different patterns especially for a beginner. The book is on thick solid paper with a protective finish on the covers. It has detailed colored photos and the instructions are easy to follow. The illustrations are excellent, and is a superb book of reference for anyone interested in embroidery and needlepoint.

Why We Like This:

Full of basic and advanced stitches
Great for beginners or advanced cross stitchers
The ultimate visual dictionary to over 200 classic stitches
Great for beginner or seasoned people

Best coffee table Book: Emillie Ferris Book of Embroidery

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The emillie ferris book of embroidery's superior materials makes sure that it ages well with use. This book is very descriptive with step by step instructions. It can be used in craft projects. It's a great reference for embroidery beginners to understand what tools you need to get started, how to master thread painting techniques, and the projects have very detailed instructions to help you get going smoothly. Each project is carefully designed to make it easy to learn shading techniques and there are patterns in the back. It has the images with backgrounds and without. These are a reminder to follow the light, and to let yourself grow to extraordinary heights.

Why We Like This:

Beautiful book and useful to learn stitches
Lovely well written easy embroidery instructions
Absolutely beautiful book with great illustrations

Best For surface Embroidery: Judith Baker Montano Book of Embroidery

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Compared with other book in this category, the judith baker montano book of embroidery has a convenient design. This book is a delight for the eye and for the creative imagination. It starts with the basics and provides detailed instructions and great pictures to show exactly how to. The reader is encouraged to try traditional embroidery stitches in new ways to create richly textured landscapes. These are created by judith herself, who has a background in fine art and is clearly an accomplished watercolorist. The images are inspiring and the directions/instructions are clear and do-able.

The stitches are beautiful and the instructions are well detailed. It is good old fashioned techniques revisited and applied in a modern updated way. This one has such beautiful full color pictures.

Why We Like This:

Wonderful descriptions of embroidery techniques and many suggestions on where to use the stitches
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best For experts: Rachael Dobbins Book of Embroidery

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Compared with other book in this category, the rachael dobbins book of embroidery has a convenient design. There is no pattern that is less rounded with markings for arms and legs. The chair says to use a woven basket stitch, and the basic basket stitch is decsirbed in the book, but you can tell there are additional stitches used to tack down the thread. There is a full photo of the completed embroidery. It fits well in the hoop being used, but the template is sized to almost. It is great for beginners or experts.

Why We Like This:

Fantastic for beginners, intermediate or advanced embroiderers
Good investment for long term