A beautiful book full of a range of floral ideas. I have undertaken a couple of projects so far, inspired by this lovely book. A must have if you like to embellish anything with flowers!

NetGalley, Daniela Cunningham

Such a pretty cover to this really illuminating book. With floral designs that will make you want to get started on a project, this book shows such detail in its illustrations.

Some of these projects will inspire you to create a piece you’ll want to hand down generations, while others remind you that mini projects are okay too.

I’m always amazed at what can be achieved with a needle, thread, and a little imagination. (A lot of talent helps too!)

A lovely book for anyone interested in needlecraft.

For the Love of Books

I got a lot from this book, the patterns were fab and the images bright and vibrant. I can't wait to start making some beautiful embroidery.

NetGalley, Ellis Pearson

Each project features easy-to-follow steps, detailed photographic walk-throughs and templates to trace on your fabric. Starting with basic projects for compete beginners, you’ll build on your embroidery skills by learning new embroidery stitches and techniques. Once you’ve mastered all the stitches, you’ll be ready to tackle the more detailed and intricate designs. Stitched in beautiful muted colours, each project is inspired by a Shakespearean quote and celebrate the author’s love of flowers.

Read the full review here

The Gingerbread House

I've been wanting to pick up embroidery so this book caught my eye. With 10 floral patterns to choose from and clear instruction, this would be a great way for anyone to begin or improve on their embroidery skills.

NetGalley, Karen Ellsworth

I particularly loved reading the introduction to this book, and about how the author was inspired to create these floral designs by both her grandmothers along with a love of flowers and Shakespeare.

This book contains ten modern embroidery projects inspired by nature, each linked to a quote from Shakespeare, which are designed to be worked through in order. The first projects are simple and suitable for beginners, then as you go through the graded projects your skills will improve, you will add in different stitches, and you can build on the techniques that you've learned as you progress to more complex projects.

I'm looking forward to making a start on these projects when I've had time to assemble the materials that I need. The book has a very clear chapter on materials which is really helpful as I've not worked on this type of embroidery before. It also makes it very clear how to transfer the design from the book to the fabric, and there is a detailed stitch guide as well as different ways that you can finish off your hoop. The final chapter has some advice for coming up with your own floral embroidery patterns which is really helpful because once you have worked through the designs in the book you will be filled with inspiration for your own future projects!

These are all really lovely books and I'd recommend them to any crafters, whether you are looking to build on skills and experience that you already have or wanting to try something new from scratch.

Read the full review here

Jennifer's Little World

I have taken a liking to embroidery the past year and Floral Embroidery by Teagan Sturmer is such a wonderful guide for amateurs like myself. This book is filled with beautiful pictures and embroidery ideas, Don't mind me while I go and try out some of these right now! I would recommend this to all the embroidery beginners out there.

NetGalley, Pranusha Rajasekaran

Need to read

Mollie Makes magazine, issue 126

.. there is a wealth of easy-to-follow information for both novice and advanced embroiderers, who by carefully stitching along with Teagan Sturmer will soon find their homes blooming with colorful art.

Library Journal, November 2020

I do have to warn you that embroidery is addictive. One project leads to another, no sooner do I see the finish line of one project than I start thinking about what will be next. I always say that I find sewing very therapeutic, it helps keep my mind occupied and makes me focus on what I am doing, not what I am worrying about which particularly in these Covid days is much needed. This book is perfect for this as it takes you forward and inspires you to do more. It is an excellent book to give to a beginner or to inspire someone who can sew but wants to try something a bit different. I can happily recommend this book.

Read the full review here

Blackberry Garden

What a beautifully illustrated book! Love the idea that the designs have been inspired by Shakespearean quotes! Nice clear instructions and diagrams.

Love the Winter roses. I think you can guess what my dark winter nights are going to be spent doing! A book I think I will return to time and time again.

Read the full review here

Amazon Customer, Jayne

★★★★
This is a beautifully styled book. The photography, composition of the designs and colour throughout are all wonderfully inspiring. The author/designer clearly has excellent taste.

Amazon Customer, September 2020

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The projects in this book are very pretty and not overly fussy, so they would fit into almost any home decor and be great gifts for almost anyone. I have not yet tackled any of the projects but I think that they are all doable if you take them step by step.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys needlework and likes floral motifs.

NetGalley, Mieken Miller

A beautiful book full of lovely ideas. I am new to embroidery and cannot wait to delve deep into some of the projects included in this book. I loved the authors modern take on such a classic artform

NetGalley, Amelia James

I recently took up embroidery and was interested in this book due to its pretty designs and lovely colour schemes. This is a great craft book for needlepoint fans, the projects are all lovely, with clear instructions and stunning photography. The projects start off easier and build up the complexity and number of stitch types needed.

NetGalley, Sabina Michnowicz

Floral Embroidery by Teagan Sturmer is a delightful book for beginners and experienced embroiderers alike. With 10 patterns that range in difficulty and technique, there is something for everyone. It is accessible to beginners, with a guide for stitches and required materials. The designs themselves are a modern take on traditional floral patterns, albeit with muted, not so fresh looking color schemes. Surprisingly, there is a gratuitous number of photos of the author working in her home, which is refreshing given the author's youth and modernity. All in all, it's a beautiful book on floral embroidery that's given new life to a traditional art form.

NetGalley, Yvonne Kullberg

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

So I didn’t just read this book and slap a 5 star rating on it. As any self-respecting cross stitcher/embroiderer, I tested it out! I chose one of her medium patterns and loved working on it! Her instructions are incredibly easy to follow.

Y’all, I am not mad at how this turned out! I’ve been cross stitching for about 15 years, but have only recently dabbled into embroidery. And by dabbled I mean, just grabbed a needle and went at it without any instructions.

Sturmer’s book contains 10 different floral projects ranging from beginner to advanced. Anyone could pick this book up even if you had never held a needle or if you’d been doing it for 50 years. The directions are clear and concise, there are pictures detailing what your piece should look like at every stage, AND every single project is completely gorgeous. Who doesn’t love a floral??

This book is so good! In fact, after 15 years of needlepoint, I can FINALLY say I have mastered the French Knot!! It has plagued me for years and I have got it down PAT. 😎

On the real tip though, if you have seen cute embroideries and wished you could do it too, THIS is the book for you to learn with. 🙌🏼

NetGalley, Ann Marie Norrid

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A really lovely and informative guide to the art of floral embroidery. I appreciated the author's modern take on the craft, and the specific projects included.

NetGalley, Megan Enright

This book is good for beginners. I liked how it was organized in terms of complexity level, beginning with easy projects and moving on to slightly more complicated ones. The projects themselves are lovely (if a bit similar, but you can tell that going in) and the instructions are good as well.

NetGalley, Mattie Shepard

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This book really helped me reawaken my love of embroidery. With 10 patterns to choose from, I had hours and hours of fun.

NetGalley, Kaitlyn Waller

What a cute book with great instructions for embroidery. As a beginner to the craft, this book was very helpful with very clear instructions and pictures that help with creating these beautiful floral designs.

NetGalley, Jennifer Lundin

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I quite enjoyed this book- it's laid out well, the projects progressing from simple to more complicated, and all explained clearly and comprehensively enough for a beginner (like myself) to understand and benefit from, while offering tips and ideas I'm sure more experienced stitchers can appreciate as well. The introduction is friendly and inviting, explained how the author's grandmothers inspired her in different ways. There are a couple of chapters on materials and stitch guides, then we get to the patterns- a chapter each for simple, detailed, and intricate designs, giving the reader a chance to build up their technique and skill level. The patterns are explained in detail, with lots of step-by-step photos, making it easier (for me, anyway) to follow along. There is only one type of project covered here, making embroidery hoop art (finishing techniques are covered), but the patterns would be easily adapted to any number of projects. Finally, the author gives tips on how to take the stitches and elements learned in the book and create your own designs. Patterns are included at the back of the book. A good book for beginners, as it focuses on a few stitches and doesn't overwhelm, but it doesn't have that "my first embroidery book" look and feel so many beginner books have- this is a lushly illustrated "I am a grown-up!" book ha! Definitely recommended!

NetGalley, April Gray

This is a very pretty book, and nicely arranged stylistically. There's a lot of helpful illustration, and a good glossary and embroidery dictionary. The projects are very nicely done, and would provide pretty decor, or make nice gifts. The author does a good job of building skill levels project by project.

NetGalley, Pat R

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I adored this book. This book starts with information on materials and how-to stitch guides. I am a seasoned embroider but I still love to see the step by step instructions at the start of each book. You never know when you can learn a new skill or a different way of doing something.

The book is split into chapters:

Basic projects, includes leaves and stems and roses.
Detail projects, start looking at bouquets and arrangements
Intricate projects, build on what you have created in the last two chapters with more detail
Finishing your hoop, cleaning up the back so it is as pretty as the front.

My absolute favourite designs from this book are the Gem Tone Bouquet and the Spooky bouquet. I am planning to embroider these designs and would like to do so on an item of clothing like a denim jacket.

Check out Teagan's work on instagram @teaganoliviasturmer you will want to buy this book once you see it.

NetGalley, Nicolette Smith

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Floral Embroidery by Teagan Sturmer offers ten gorgeous embroidery projects designed to take you from a beginner through to a proficient embroiderer. This is a well structured guide, with stunning photos and a gorgeous, clean, layout.

I loved the introduction to Teagan and her grandmother’s who have been instrumental to her pursuing what she loves: ‘Whatever we do, we must create.’ is a very sweet quote!

Each sampler comes with a Shakespeare quote, so I guess this has to be my new favourite book on embroidery! It’s also left me hoping that one day we might receive a Shakespearian embroidery book from her.

We start with a stitch guide which is one of the best that I’ve seen, and would serve as the perfect introduction to the stitches if you’re a complete beginner. Instead of having to seek out YouTube tutorials, you should be able to get started using just this book.

The sampler shots are delicious, and I’d love each and every one to fill the walls of my house. The instructions that follow each sample are clear, and you’re assisted through the process with work in progress shots. The attention to detail in matching shots to steps is wonderful. It can sometimes be difficult to visualise written instructions, so the photos help to reassure you that you’re on track without being overwhelming. I also loves the ‘extras’ section which provides suggestions for further techniques that could be used to personalise the piece to your tastes.

This text also goes one step further than most guides and comes with pattern sheets to trace. I think that this is one of the best tools for beginners, as having something to follow allows you to understand how shape can impact an entire piece; if your line is slightly off, it can offset the whole design and be extremely frustrating.

NetGalley, Matt Barnett

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this. I love all her anecdotes along with her step by step guides to stitching.

NetGalley, Peggy Monaghan

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My favourite craft book of the year!

I am so excited to try the projects in this book! Author Teagan Sturmer provides all the instructions and patterns that you need to create beautiful floral bouquets with ease.

I’m a novice and assumed that it would take me years of practice to compose such pretty pieces. But Teagan’s book has given me the confidence and the know how to grow my embroidery skills.

Some of embroidery books that I’ve looked at before have been a bit drab and soulless. But Teagan’s passion for her artwork shines through in her writing and photos. I’m definitely a convert to floral embroidery! There’s something so mindful about making designs centred around nature - especially if you’re stuck indoors!

The little details Teagan shares about her life and the Shakespeare quotes that inspire her embroidery add an emotional depth that I wasn’t expecting and enhance the pleasure of reading this book.

I’d recommend this book to novices looking for projects that develop their embroidery skills. I also think more experienced crafters will enjoy this book as it contains so many beautiful floral patterns to have fun with and encourages you to create your own!

NetGalley, Kara Lynsdale

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The designs in this beautiful book are lovely, the explanations and patterns are straightforward and easy to understand and follow. It really inspired me to begin some floral embroidery. Tegan Sturmer is very clear about what exact materials to purchase, something that isn’t always true of many books. I loved how each design retaliated back to a quote from Shakespeare. I look forward to many hours of enjoyable stitching using this lovely book.

NetGalley, Sandra Szabo

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Loved this easy to read book! Really enjoyed the colorful photos. This book did a great job of going in depth, but not too far that it was overbearing - like many other craft books! I have sewed my entire life and still managed to learned tips throughout the book! Sturmer came off as a modern, younger sewer, which is refreshing in the sewing world! I also enjoyed Sturmer's suggestion on products and included alternatives; this was very helpful as I can't exactly go to my craft store these days... Thoroughly enjoyed this!

NetGalley, Courtney Cox

With a crafter’s heart, I always get excited when I see a new embroidery book. For a very long time embroidery had gone by the wayside. I am happy to see a resurgence in the past few years. This is a very appealing book which attempts to assist beginners with little or no experience. The are over ten projects in the book that increase in difficulty. The author includes with each design a quote from Shakespeare from whom she has drawn her inspiration. The early chapters give the future stitcher advice on materials and supplies. There is also a guide to the stitches used.

NetGalley, Doreen Gabriellini

This is such a beautiful and satisfying book! I’ve been wanting to try embroidery for a while and this book is just my taste! I definitely recommend it for anyone that likes floral embroidery and wants to give it a go.

NetGalley, Becky Kearns

When a new embroidery book is published there is a buzz of excitement that goes through the collective hearts and spirits of all embroiderers everywhere. One cannot help it. Its such a minimalised hobby now that any and every book released is a thrill and the idea that another book might open the world of embroidery to more people is thrilling

Sturmer has written a book for a novice to this pick-up and learn some basics and introduce them to the wonders of embroidery: the embroidery skill level required is basic at best. It takes the age-old techniques and recreates them into a modern-day hobby for the busy person who requires a quick result to keep the enthusiasm high.

There is nothing more timeless than a garden full of blooming flowers and embroidery is a method in which to capture their beauty and keep them with you all year long. Sturmer has created ten patterns for a student to follow, complete with outlines to trace onto the material and start working from. They are created to be displayed in the hoop but could easily be transferred to other household items such as pillow slips or cloth napkins.
There are wonderful little quotes from Shakespeare throughout the book to show the inspiration for each design. Sturmer gives a detailed outline of all the materials a person will require to fulfil the goal of creating artwork of ones own, including DMC thread numbers to ensure the correct colour if one wishes to copy the design to the letter.

Instructions are given step by step, with helpful insights for the novice so that then guesswork is taken out of the equation, such as explaining that linen doesn’t have a right or wrong side on the material. Because most of the embroideries are created using a whole thread of thread (she doesn’t explain how to strip the thread – that is breaking it into six separate threads to get a softer finish on the finished embroidery) the results build up incredibly quickly. Scattered throughout the book there are pictures of the embroideries as they build up, step by step.

Sturmer gives a dedicated chapter as to how to finish the embroidery so that it can be displayed as she suggests, but it wouldn’t be difficult to take these artworks to a professional framer and have them framed to make a greater display. Hey, you are going to put in several hours of work into these pieces, they are worthy of the extra effort! Scattered throughout the book are photographs of Sturmer herself at work which are artsy and delightful.

Given at the start of the book, a step by step of basic and intricate stitches are given along with outlines of patterns so as to have a go before committing to a larger piece of work. The stitches required in even the most intricate of patterns is still very basic compared to some of the stitches that one wants to master as the addiction…. Oh, errr, I mean, the devotion to embroidery deepens in the stitcher.

A delightful book for the beginner. Just lovely.

NetGalley, Courtney Stuart

Clear, simple instructions with relatively good diagrams. I've learned three new stitches and I feel my embroidery won't look like trash

NetGalley, Adelaide McIntyre

Such a great selection of projects to complete. With handy hints and tips along the way, so brilliant for beginners. Especially great for these self isolation times.

NetGalley, Laura Jones

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is a great book for people who need to brush up on their Floral Embroidery skills or for beginnings who wants to take on a new craft and skill. I would definitely recommend this book.

NetGalley, Brittaney Barfield

This is a good embroidery book for those who are beginners, especially those who are learning how to do florals!

NetGalley, Jennifer Petell

I agree with the Author when she described the designs as 'simple' and not complicated. This would be a good book for someone as an introductory to embroidery. The designs, descriptions and pattern details were explained very well and seemed easy to follow... I would say it would be an excellent book for beginners to try simple, straightforward patterns.

NetGalley, Janne Boswell

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful book about floral embroidery. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. The photos are beautiful. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves to embroider.

NetGalley, Manon van Bladel

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I can do embroidery! I really can!

Reading through these tutorials, from basic and simple to gorgeous, lush and complex, I know I can do these! I cannot speak as to how an advanced embroiderer will feel about this book, but as a beginner, this is the book I was hoping to find. I will be following this artist-author for more.

Nevermind hard to follow video tutorials where you cannot see up close *exactly* how a stitch is done. The photography, the focus, the layout, the clarity of this book is *exactly* what is needed, from the very beginning, to the very end. Incredibly clear teaching here! There are stitch close ups, direction of stitch from one needle placement to the next exceedingly clear, patterns of stitching from basic leaves to incredible raised roses. There are patterns to follow for complete designs. I have many art books on many other mediums, am an artist in other mediums, and have read poor instruction books in art, had to go looking for more clear text. I have been looking for an embroidery instruction book, to adapt for clothing embellishment. This book is what one hopes: it is fantastic and clear instruction tutoring through projects from very basic beginner to lush complexity.

Moreover it is clear that after finishing the ten projects detailed in this book, one can run with the knowledge and create their own designs, or know exactly how to flesh out a publicly available design.

The designs are all finished as hoop artwork. It would be wonderful if there had been a bit more text about adaptation for clothing or handbag for example. It does mention to "try stitching to ...an item of clothing..." but does not mention any caveats or added things to watch for when doing that. For example, will it pull up an area of clothing? Is there extra care in washing to keep it from curling? Does thread choice matter there? Do we do anything to protect the backside in that instance? But that does not make this book any less essential. After several projects, that information can be gained elsewhere.

I am pouring through the small list of items needed and getting to work. This book is like having a teacher hold your hand the entire journey to creating an embroidery. Highly recommended for beginners.

NetGalley, Kat Caric

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This book is delightful! I am very new to the world of embroidery, and I found this incredibly approachable and easy to understand. Teagan breaks down the basics in a fun, approachable way. I learn best with a hands-on teacher, and I somehow felt like I had that through this book. The patterns are easily adaptable. The photos are absolutely gorgeous. I had a lot of fun working my way through it all. Highly recommend!

NetGalley, India Winslow

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


I have not done embroidery since classes at the Y were held teaching them ... in the 1970s. This book reminded me how much fun it was and as I am looking for a new way to spend the time, I have already ordered the materials I need to start up again. The instructions are clear and concise and the photos clear - I foresee no problems taking up the craft (or you being new to it) as a result of this excellent book....so many pretty flowers to make!

NetGalley, Janet Pole Cousineau

Excellent book full of beautiful projects that use a variety of stitches and techniques. The projects are aimed a range of levels and there are some that beginners can start off with. They are small enough to be able to complete in a reasonable amount of time but have been very well thought through and designed. In these troubling times it is the perfect way to connect to nature indirectly. It is an absorbing and meditative hobby that is good for the soul. The instructions are very clear for each project as are the details of how to do a particular stitch. The book is very well laid out and very enjoyable to browse through.

NetGalley, jc Cross

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Floral Embroidery by Teagan Olivia Sturmer was amazing. I have fallen in love with embroidery. So being able to learn how to do florals was thrilling. This book was written in great detail and wonderful instructions. Loved learning how to do floral embroidery. I recommend this book as your next DIY project!

NetGalley, Miray Cekic

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I love this gorgeous embroidery book. The author's introduction and dedication to her craft at the inspiration of her grandmothers is so heartening. It gives the reader inspiration that we can learn from our elders, and take their advice into our own lives as we grow. I appreciate the simple guide to needed supplies, and basic stitches provided by the author. I've never done proper embroidery, and found her directions very easy to follow. I appreciate that she also provides exact floss colors to use for each pattern, as well as the patterns themselves. I think that the gorgeous photos of the embroidery projects make the craft even more enticing to learn. The only thing I would have loved to see was a photo or two of the author with her grandmothers either in the introduction or at the end of the book. I can't wait to try out these embroidery patterns using this book!

NetGalley, Alexandra Consolver

A gorgeous collection of designs with great tips and clear, concise instructions for each step. I loved the use of colour and the theme of the Shakespeare quotes linked in each piece.

NetGalley, Courtney Mejia-Murphy

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

There are some beautiful embroidery designs in this book! Instructions are simple to follow and the pictures are very helpful! I found the section on materials and tools to be very helpful as I am beginning my embroidery journey.

NetGalley, Rhiannon Blewer

Floral Embroidery is a lovely book to look at and be inspired by and wonderful for the beginner and intermediate embroider to gain inspiration and see what can be done with needle and thread. The designs are lovely and seem relatively simple to work, with a little practice on basic stitches and technique. I particularly like the author's finishing suggestions. The photography is beautiful throughout and will make the reader want to take up this rewarding craft.

NetGalley, Marie Cloutier

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

There is nothing more inviting when you open a book and are thanked for deciding to purchase a book. I was enthralled by the beautiful embroidery patterns on the cover of this book and knew that I had to try my hand at creating these items. The book starts with a message from the author, with a beautiful story on being creative and keeping creativity alive in our lives. This book not only gives us beautiful patterns to learn from but gives us hope that no matter what level of creator we are, as long as we keep creativity in our lives, and keep practicing, you can do anything. “We Must Create” is going to be my new motto!

The instructions in this book are easy to follow, especially as a beginner to the world of embroidery. The author walks us through what materials to purchase, what works best for certain projects, and encourages you to be creative on what you want to stitch. I had done embroidery as a child and have been wanting to pick it back up but have felt intimidated by the different stitches that I have seen. This book walks you through how to do each stitch and what the outcomes are for each, as well as ways in which you can create your own designs with these techniques. This book helps you by teaching you the steps to each stitch, then by working through the patterns from easy to more difficult, you become more familiar witch each one and more confident. One aspect of this book I appreciate compared to others is that it gives you details on finishing your hoop for displays. This is something that is not always talked or taught, and it is essential for you to be able to show off your creativity!

NetGalley, Heather Wade

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This book is beautiful! As an embroidery newbie I was very pleased to receive an e-ARC of this book. The photography, detailed instructions and Shakespeare quotes are excellent and I clearly understood everything I have tried so far. I have ordered some equipment to continue practicing and will soon give a project a go!

There are 10 projects with increasing difficulty as you go through the book. There are very detailed and clear instructions for each project and help with how to finish your projects too. There are outlines in the back of the book that you can trace onto your fabric for each project. I’m nowhere near designing my own projects but I hope this book will help me progress towards that and then I can create flowery designs around quotes.

This book would be excellent as a gift for an embroidery newbie or someone who has done the odd project but not experienced in florals. A great gift for others or for yourself. A lovely book!

NetGalley, Natasha Bayliss

Short, beautiful, well illustrated instruction to follow and make the projects without any issues. I enjoyed the tips and tricks mentioned along with the beautiful designs given. This is a good project book for someone who wants to further their embroidery skills and create small projects.

NetGalley, Bharti Chandnani

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful collection of informative and instructive floral embroidery. I would recommend this for beginners who want to start dipping their toes into embroidery with these beautiful creations!

NetGalley, Zoe Lee

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Sturmer's embroidery work is dense but organic and never overworked. I've followed her instagram for over a year admiring her ability to translate bouquets into designs that would have overwhelmed me. I'm thrilled by her book! She takes you step by step into each design, breaking it down so it all feels very doable. The stitches used are limited but Sturmer showcases the many possibilities of combination through the ten designs which range from simple (almost as a warm up), through the seasons to much more complex compositions. I do have embroidery experience so I started with the gem tone bouquet and I have two others on the to do list.

NetGalley, Teresa Silva

This is a great book with pictures for beginners and a review for the experienced. This book explains about everything a person who is doing embroidery needs to know. I highly recommend this book!

NetGalley, Anne Gooch

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

What a lovely embroidery book.
Just the right amount of designs, with terrific instructions, written and photo.
Gives you direction on how to do the stitches and how to make a simple drawing into a beautiful piece of embroidery artwork.
Thankyou for the opportunity to review this book. It is a treasure.

NetGalley, Vanessa Dukovic

OK, this is a seriously beautiful book. I was a little taken aback when I read that there would be only 10 projects, but what I hadn’t realized was how in depth each project was.

For someone who is new to embroidery and wants to learn, I found the explanations actually made sense for what each step was trying to accomplish, and the addition of in step pictures made it more understandable. The sketches are included at the back of the book, so if you wanted to follow along it is possible.

I also appreciated the chapters on cleaning up and finishing the hoop. So not only does the author start you off on the right foot, she makes sure that you have a beautiful, finished product at the end.

This has really gotten me interested in trying to embroider - the few stitches used in this book do not seem overwhelming but interesting and fun to do.

NetGalley, Cynthia Dalipe

This is a lovely and fresh new book. I'm a middle of the range embroiderer and felt inspired by the patterns in it. They're pretty and cool! The instructions are simple (with excellent tips) and, I thought, even good for newbies to the craft. I'm going to use the patterns to embellish on pillowcases and will probably use my own colourways but that's what's good about this kind of book - it's the sort of creative jumping board that I like. Thanks to the publishers for letting me take a look.

NetGalley, Sarah Buitendach

This embroidery book features florals in muted and gem tones, designed to be stitched on a 6 inch hoop. It is divided into chapters, first giving the basics of embroidery stitches and materials, and then giving designs and instructions, increasing in difficulty as the book continues.

This book appealed to me immediately, because while I love floral embroidery, I am a total beginner, having only completed a few embroidery projects in my time. I lack the ability to create my own designs, so I appreciated that the designs are included here, and when turning up the brightness on my device, I am able to trace the designs onto my fabric. (Though anyone who purchases the print version of this book will be able to have the paper designs).

The photography in this book is well done, and the book receives big bonus points from me for including the resident kitty in one of the photos. The descriptions and instructions were well written and easy to follow.

NetGalley, Erin Lawyer

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

What a wonderful and beautiful book! Floral Embroidery is broken into seven chapters that start with materials and build up to final projects. There is a chapter on stitches that shows how to make the stitches that are necessary to complete the designs. The following chapters include designs that range from beginner, intermediate, and advanced, so you can build up as you become more confident in your embroidery skills and abilities. There are 10 projects overall to be completed - each with detailed instructions and pictures. My personal favorites are the Spooky Bouquet and Gem Tone Bouquet. This would be a great book to gift to someone who is interested in starting embroidery and also for anyone who enjoys embroidery in general.

NetGalley, Sarah Wexler

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A wonderfully illustrated and clearly explained book that guides you to create lovely embroidery projects.
The book is divided into six chapters which explain the materials you'll need, a brief stitches guide and from simple to intrincated projects.
I like that Teagun Sturmer explains how she started embroidering. It's quite sweet to tell us how her grandmothers were such an influence and the reason to create, and I also like that every project begins with a quote by Shakespeare.
Absolutely recommendable.

NetGalley, Macarena R.V.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

"Floral Embroidery' is exactly what I was looking for! The book gives you step by step guidance starting from materials and stiching techniques ending on lovely patterns. The book focuses on simplicity therefore it's great for people who want to start their embroidery adventure. There's no better time than now that we are locked in our houses during covid-19. I highly recommend it! Five stars from me!

NetGalley, Sabina Falacińska