Creative Thread: 20 People-Inspired Embroideries Using Modern Hand-Stitching Techniques, Paperback

Learn to embroider project by project with Royal School of Needlework trained, professional embroiderer Jo Dixey.

Sure - colouring books are enjoyable and great for stress relief, but what if you want more? More creativity, more mindfulness and more fun? There are myriad crafts that can give you all of these and embroidery, or stitching, is one of them. Tap into your creative side and make one-off pieces of art, embellish clothing with images and symbols unique to you, or make beautiful gifts for your friends.

Professional embroiderer Jo Dixey has designed this book to inspire and challenge both those new to embroidery and those with some knowledge of stitch who want to take their ideas further.

Each project introduces new embroidery stitches and techniques. As you work through the ideas, you expand your skills and gain confidence in using stitches and ideas in your own work.

The projects range from small embroidered cards to more complex pictures to hang on your wall; simple appliqu for a scarf to an embroidered jacket - all based on the theme of people. Templates of the images to stitch are provided for photocopying and there is a photo gallery of all the stitches covered in the book, along with step-by-step photographs of key techniques, such as transferring patterns onto fabric or using batting to create 3D effects.

Jo Dixey's love of embroidery and stitching began in early childhood and progressed from her main leisure activity to her job, when in 1991 she attended England's Royal School of Needlework. Here she trained to be a professional embroiderer. Since her graduation, she has seen the enjoyment others have found from learning to stitch and has taught embroidery workshops for more than 20 years. The number of beginners wanting to learn to stitch continues to grow, and Jo combines her experience of how best to teach embroidery with a professional's attention to technique and finishing.

Jo lives in Auckland, New Zealand.