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.