The Embroidery Stitch Bible

This little hardboard book from Krause Publications is both beautiful and useful (and how many of us can make that claim?) Clearly this is a book where each detail has been thoughtfully planned to make it useful for the stitcher. The book covers both surface and canvas stitched and puts either one or two stitches per page. The stitches are photographed clearly and there is a large clear diagram directly below. The text contains instructions for the correct working of the stitch. At the bottom of each page there is some additional information. It provides alternate names for the stitch, a listing of suggested uses and notes which contains short tips for making this stitch look its best. All the basic stitches are covered and the book is particularly deep on surface stitches, including some specialized techniques like hemstitching and drawn thread. Just this is enough to make it a good book, but there are lots of wonderful little touches. First inside the hardboard cover is a ring binding, so the book lays flat, but the wire won't catch the threads. The size is small enough to make it easy to carry around and the covers are thick and sturdy. Each stitch is numbered and they are grouped into categories. Each category, for example detached stitches, uses a different ground and thread color for the stitched examples and a different color of thread. The diagrams are done in colors to match the samples. Along the side there are pastel bars in the same color scheme. One the left page the bar says if these are stitches for canvas or fabric. The right bars tells the group of stitches. Beyond the stitch collection, there is a long section on stitching practice. This section covers different stitching techniques (with small motifs to try as examples). design repeats and finishing. Each area is profusely illustrated and has clear explanations. This book is one of the best overall embroidery books I've seen in a long time..

The information in this book is very complete with illustrations. I teach historical embroidery and have recommended this book to my students. It is just what I've been looking to help me learn some stitches I didn't know. I have referred to it many times.

This is a great resource book for anyone interested in stitchery of any kind. I purchased this book to use as a guide for teaching my daughters and girls club members embroidery...I was delighted and surprized at the depth and scope of embroidery stiches and styles illustrated in this book. I was expecting a book that detailed embroidery stiches...this book beautifully illustrates not only stitches on various fabrics, but also shows cross stitch, a wide scope of needlepoint styles (including Bargello), smocking, drawn-thread work, applying sequins and beads, cutwork, applique and so much more! There is a photograph of each completed stitch along with a detailed illustration and simple, easy to follow directions. The table of contents is a delight in itself, with 1" photos of the different stitches along with the name and page for quick and easy location for whatever project you are working on. Even the size of the book is perfect...it's compact size and sturdy board cover make it just right to include in your sewing basket or project bag for easy reference.Everything about this book was well thought-out and beautifully executed. It's an incredible reference guide that I'm sure I will be turning to over and over again in the years to come.

Embroiders usually have their favorite stitches and may learn new ones from fellow embroiderers, but Betty Barnden's Embroidery Stitch Bible is an important reference for those wishing to improve their technique. Over 200 embroidery stitches, from basic cross stitch and chains to laid work, are arranged according to use and illustrated with both photos and diagrams. This means that Embroidery Stitch Bible can be used as both a reference for quick consultation and as a guide to learning new stitches. The close-up color examples and both written and visual surveys are excellent and easy to follow.