Big Book of Embroidery: 250 Stitches and 29 Creative Projects

By Renee Mery

A visual encyclopedia of stitches, the Big Book of Embroidery is the essential, go-to reference guide for both beginner and experienced embroiderers. Containing 250 popular embroidery stitches and techniques for loop stitches, straight stitches, woven stitches, and more, this book provides detailed close-up photography and step-by-step il

• Language: English
• Publisher: Landauer
• Release date: Nov 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781620083550

Renee Mery

Renee Mery has written extensively on needlecrafts, most particularly for Marie Claire. Her books include works on embroidery, applique, and patchworking.

Book preview

STRAIGHT STITCH VARIATIONS

THESE ARE THE EASIEST STITCHES, PERFECT FOR NOVICE EMBROIDERERS. THEY ONLY REQUIRE A LITTLE PRACTICE TO GET A CONSISTENT STITCH.

For a printable PDF of the patterns used in this book, please contact Fox Chapel Publishing at [e-mail], quoting the ISBN and title of this book, as well as the pattern or patterns required.

This stitch is embroidered in a line, alternatively passing the needle above and below to produce consistent stitches.

After having completed a line of running stitch, switch to the opposite direction while interleaving stitches.

First embroider a line of running stitches. Then, with a different needle and another floss, embroider an overlock stitch passing the needle from right to left and top to bottom under each running stitch.

Embroider a second line of overlock stitches from left to right and top to bottom.

Cover the surface with alternating rows of parallel running stitches.

Also called the threaded double running stitch. Embroider the rows in pairs, then, without stitching the fabric, embroider the vertical stitches above/below, alternating them equally.

Push the needle back through its exit point and pull it out. The distances between the floss and the point of entry, and between the floss and the point of exit must be equal.

First embroider a line of backstitches then embroider a line of overlock stitches, passing the needle from right to left, above and below each stitch.

Embroider rows of back stitches arranged in a column, slightly slanted, then pass a floss under the stitches without stitching into the fabric.

Embroider the rows of alternating backstitches, aligned at the ends, then pass a different color floss under the stitches without stitching into the fabric.

Embroider two rows (or more) of alternating (or randomly arranged) backstitches.

Similar to the seed stitch but passing under each stitch twice.

This stitch is embroidered like a backstitch but the needle is pushed through the left hole of the previous stitch to form a continuous line.

The stem stitch is embroidered from top to bottom. Bring the needle out below the embroidery line, reinsert the needle a little higher and bring it back out in the middle of the stitch, setting the floss to the right of the needle while following the outline.

Thread two plies of floss of different colors into the needle then embroider in the stem stitch by bringing the needle out between the two plies of floss. They can always be on the same side or move from one side to the other.

Embroider as if it were a stem stitch but bring the needle out in the middle of the floss used to separate the strands.

Embroider the first stem stitch then two overlock stitches by sliding the needle under this stitch. Embroider the stem stitch then the two overlock stitches by passing the needle under two consecutive points.

The stitch is embroidered in two steps: first the stem stitch line then an overlock stitch under each stitch with a different color floss, without stitching into the fabric.

Creation No. 1

Vase covers

Practice the running stitch

STITCH USED

Running stitch (see lesson on page)

SUPPLIES

×DMC milled cotton floss: green, turquoise, red, aqua green

×Recycled bottles

×White cotton canvas cloth

×HB pencil

×Erasable fabric marker

INSTRUCTIONS

Collect bottles of different sizes. Trace their outline twice on a white cotton canvas with the pencil while paying attention to their thickness.

Using the erasable marker, draw the enlarged pattern freehand on both sides of the bottle cover, or trace it with carbon paper.

Embroider with running stitches using six strands of the DMC milled cotton floss. Vary the colors, taking inspiration from the photo. Erase the markings and iron the embroidery.

Cut the pieces out, leaving a ⅜ (1cm) border. Stitch them together, right sides facing, ⅜ (1cm) away from the edges. Press open the seams and turn right side out. Fit the cover on the bottle.

Creation No. 2

Simple tulip pillows

Practice the Point de Sable stitch.

STITCH USED

Point de Sable stitch (see lesson on page)

SUPPLIES

For each cushion

17¾ x 17¾ (45 X 45cm):

×DMC Pearl Cotton: 3864, 3348, and 3816 for the cushion with 3 tulips; 470, 318, 712, and 524 for the second cushion

×Special embroidery carbon paper

×Tracing paper

×Sewing kit

×2 fabric squares of 18½ x 18½ (47 x 47cm)*

×Synthetic stuffing*

×Sewing thread*

×Sewing machine*

×(* or 2 cushions)

INSTRUCTIONS

Trace the diagrams.

Trace the tulip and the butterfly on one square (or a cushion), three tulips on the other.

Embroider each motif with two adjacent lines of Point de Sable stitches of the same color: 3864 or 3348 or 3816 for each of the three tulips, 470 for the tulip with the butterfly, 318, 712, and 524 for the butterfly.

To make the cushions: place an embroidered square and a blank square right sides facing. Sew a seam, ⅜" (1cm) from the edges, leaving an opening in the middle of one side. Turn right side out, iron. Fill with synthetic stuffing. Hand stitch the opening to close.

Creation No. 3

Elegant tea towels

Practice the stem stitch.

STITCH USED

Stem stitch (see lesson on page)

SUPPLIES

×DMC milled cotton floss: 2 skeins fuchsia pink 3805 and eggplant purple 3802

×Carbon paper

×2 white linen tea towels

×1 box textile dye for 9 oz (250g) of fabric, colors: baby pink 07 and

Reviews for Big Book of Embroidery

[Sandra · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very clear photos and instructions about superb hand embroidery work