Hand Embroidery has been a passion of mine since I was a little girl. I had no problem sitting for hours together next to my mother who used to spend her afternoon embroidering. It was a fascinating world for me to sit among the rich and gloriously colored silk threads. I often could not resist touching the threads and I would innocently ask my mom if she needed help sorting out the threads.  As I grew, so did the passion for embroidery. I tried to master the 10 basic stitches at first, in the years since then, whatever I have learnt has been  through excellent books I came across. I am sincerely grateful to those needlework artists whose books have helped me immensely. I have given the name of the books I love in my Resource Section. I am sure it will definitely motivate you to pick up a needle and thread and make your own creations.

The Ten basic stitches for me as a beginner are:

Running Stitch

Back Stitch

Stem Stitch or Outline Stitch

Chain stitch

Cross Stitch

Blanket Stitch or Buttonhole Stitch

Herringbone Stitch

French Knot

Feather Stitch

Satin Stitch

I will pick up each stitch and will work a project based on it soon.

 

My Gallery

The 8 projects shown below are commercial needlework kits.

                                                                     

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                       

 

                                                                                 

                               

                                             

                                        

 

Details of Designs 1 through 4 shown above

 

1. "Little Sioux" by Needle Treasures

2. "Stonewall Cottage" by Dimensions

3. "Romance for Roses" by Dimensions

4. "Mythical Planter" by Dimensions 

5. "Springtime Elegance" by Sunset

 

The 2 Artworks  below were done,  referring to Helen Stevens book "The Embroiderer's Country Album". I got the design too from this book.

 

                                          

 

 I learnt the stitching technique from Helen Steven's books which I have given below and then tried to make my own design.

                                                                                         

The following was Stitched on a Tablecloth. Design is From "Reader'sDigest Decorative Embroidery" by Mary Norden.                                  

                 

 Embroidered Tea Cozy. Design is From "Embroidery" by Karen Alder. 

Pillowcase

 

 Pillowcase

 

 

Tablecloth   

     

 

                                                                        

      

                                           

                                                                                                                                       My References & Resources

Reader's Digest Complete Book of Embroidery by Melinda Coss

Anchor Complete Embroidery Course by Christina Marsh

Creative Crewel Embroidery  by Judy Ieroy

The Embroiderer's Handbook by Margie Bauer

Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches  New Edition by Jan Eaton

Embroidery  by Karen Elder

Reader's Digest Complete guide to Embroidery Stitches

Old English Roses in Needleworkby Jane lles

Reader's Digest Decorative Embroidery by Mary Norden

 The books  mentioned above will definitely help you learn some amazing stitches as a beginner. Once you are comfortable with satin stitches and long and short stitches then you should try the books which I have given below:

The Timeless Art of Embroidery by Helen M. Stevens

The Myth & Magic of Embroidery by Helen M. Stevens

Embroiderer's Year  by Helen M. Stevens

World of Embroidery by Helen M. Stevens

The Embroiderer's Country Album by Helen M. Stevens

Embroidered Birds by Helen M. Stevens

Embroidered Butterflies by Helen M. Stevens

Embroidered Flowers by Helen M. Steven

Pillowcases by Bucilla

Few embroidery designs from my collection.These have been taken from old books and from the internet.