Stitch your way to creativity! The best embroidery books for beginners & beyond
If you love crafting and want to explore the meditative art of embroidery, take a look at our pick of the best embroidery books to spark your creativity, guide you through beginner steps, and provide endless project ideas.
The age-old craft of embroidery has undergone a delightful revival, captivating a whole new generation with its calming nature, endless creative possibilities, and stunning results.
Whether you’re a seasoned stitcher or a complete beginner, there’s a joy to be found in the rhythmic repetition of stitches and the satisfaction of watching a blank canvas blossom into a beautiful design. But where to begin?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the vast array of embroidery supplies and techniques, fear not! Embroidery books are your one-stop shop for inspiration, instruction, and endless project ideas. These trusty tomes can guide you through the basics, introduce you to new stitches and styles, and provide a treasure trove of patterns to keep you stitching for years to come.
So, grab a cup of tea, settle into a comfy chair, and let’s explore some of the best embroidery books on the market! We’ve got something for everyone, from comprehensive guides brimming with stitches to project-packed volumes bursting with modern ideas. Let’s find the perfect book to ignite your embroidery passion and take your stitching to the next level!
Our pick of the best embroidery books
1. A-Z of Embroidery Stitches
From Amazon.co.uk £10.79
If you’re just getting started with embroidery, it can be a bit overwhelming to discover just how many types of different stitches there are. The A-Z of Embroidery Stitches book not only walks you through over 100 different stitches and stitches variations, it also gives helpful tips and advice on fabric choice, beginning and ending your stitch work, working with embroidery hoops and learning how to thread paint.
2. The Modern Embroidery Handbook
From Pen & Sword Books £15.19
Calling all embroidery enthusiasts, from beginners to seasoned stitchers! “The Modern Embroidery Handbook” is your one-stop guide, bursting with inspiration and packed with over 70 step-by-step stitches. Learn everything from essential basics to creative textures and knots, then put your skills to the test with 20 beautiful projects. Unleash your inner artist and explore watercolour embroidery, customised pieces, and even 3D effects – this book will have you stitching up a storm!
3. 365 Days of Stitches
From Amazon.co.uk £10.95
365 Days of Stitches invites you to create a unique embroidered diary, commemorating life’s big and small moments with a year’s worth of charming motifs. This book provides everything you need – 1,000 inspiring ideas, clear instructions, and stitched examples – to transform your daily stitching into a beautiful record of the year. So pick up your needle and thread, and get ready to relax, reflect, and stitch your way through the year!
4. Paint With Thread: Through the Seasons: A step-by-step guide to embroidery
From Amazon.co.uk £18.07
Unleash your inner artist with the magic of needlepainting. This book is your complete guide to creating stunning, realistic embroidery. Learn to use just a single stitch, the “long and short,” to blend colours and capture lifelike details in flowers, fauna, and more. This beautiful book boasts 5 exclusive seasonal patterns, step-by-step photos, expert tips, and iron-on transfers – everything you need to transform thread into art. Beginners, this is your chance to stitch like a pro!
5. Modern Embroidery: 35 stylish and contemporary hand-sewn designs
From Amazon.co.uk £11.83
Dive into the world of modern embroidery with this fabulous book offering 35 fresh and colourful projects, perfect for beginners and seasoned stitchers alike. Explore trendy motifs like cacti and crystals, experiment with bold colour palettes, and create everything from statement wall art to stylish denim pieces. Step-by-step guides, clear charts, and expert tips empower you to bring your own twist to these inspiring designs.
6. Colourful Fun Embroidery
From Amazon.co.uk £13.23
Feeling stressed? Banish the blues with this book filled with 24 mood-boosting projects. It has something for everyone, from speedy afternoon stitches to captivating long-term pieces. Embroider joy into your home, workspace, and wardrobe with easy-to-follow instructions, stunning photographs, and endless ideas for personalization. Grab your supplies and stitch your way to a happier, more colourful you!