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Embroider Everything Workshop: The Beginner's Guide to Embroidery, Cross-Stitch, Needlepoint, Beadwork, Applique, and More
A spirited guide packed with everything you need to know to embroider like a pro and transform any plain piece of fabric or fabric surface into a work of art. Combining attitude and instruction, projects and inspiration—plus iron-on transfer pattern sheets and a die-cut practice stitch card— Embroider Everything Workshop is a complete how-to. It covers all the major embroidery stitching freehand embroidery, appliqué, smocking, needlepoint, beadwork, cross-stitch and blackwork. Then come the 40 hip, clever, stylish, and useful patterns that give readers a real taste of embroidery’s possibilities.
- GenresCraftsNonfiction
208 pages, Spiral-bound
First published August 15, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 12, 2015
Quite a helpful guide for all the basic techniques of needlework, and I enjoyed reading about the author's personal experiences with the crafts. The projects were uninspiring however, and sometimes even a tad silly or superfluous. I wouldn't have known what to do with the half of them.
Like the "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?" embroidered pillow. Mmmkay. I still don't know if I find that stupid or funny. Are you supposed to leave it permanently on your bed? ;) It's apparently the sexiest thing a woman could do to get lucky (or man, if there are any men who embroider out there!).
^^But imagine that all lacy and frilly with the words nicely embroidered in stem stitch or split stitch.
Anyways!
And to each their own, but HOW ON EARTH DO YOU EMBROIDER WITHOUT A HOOP?? The author's argument for not using a hoop is that it takes too much time to put on. But I'd rather take that time and use a hoop than not use one and go completely nuts. I'm altering a top at the moment, adding embellishment to the neckline, and it doesn't work with the hoop because I am embroidering too close to the edge - and also, a shirt is kinda hard to properly fit into the hoop. BUT, I can tell you (and I don't know if it's because I'm ribbonworking) it is THE most FRUSTRATING thing EVER. So I simply cannot understand why some people would willingly choose not to use a hoop for regular work. If it works for you, I'm happy, but me, personally I HIGHLY recommend the hoop. And for the record, it takes all of 15 seconds to secure properly to the fabric. Anyone can spare 15 seconds for such a lifesaver.
Like the "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?" embroidered pillow. Mmmkay. I still don't know if I find that stupid or funny. Are you supposed to leave it permanently on your bed? ;) It's apparently the sexiest thing a woman could do to get lucky (or man, if there are any men who embroider out there!).
^^But imagine that all lacy and frilly with the words nicely embroidered in stem stitch or split stitch.
Anyways!
And to each their own, but HOW ON EARTH DO YOU EMBROIDER WITHOUT A HOOP?? The author's argument for not using a hoop is that it takes too much time to put on. But I'd rather take that time and use a hoop than not use one and go completely nuts. I'm altering a top at the moment, adding embellishment to the neckline, and it doesn't work with the hoop because I am embroidering too close to the edge - and also, a shirt is kinda hard to properly fit into the hoop. BUT, I can tell you (and I don't know if it's because I'm ribbonworking) it is THE most FRUSTRATING thing EVER. So I simply cannot understand why some people would willingly choose not to use a hoop for regular work. If it works for you, I'm happy, but me, personally I HIGHLY recommend the hoop. And for the record, it takes all of 15 seconds to secure properly to the fabric. Anyone can spare 15 seconds for such a lifesaver.
May 7, 2018
As a practical guide, this book is rather garbage. The illustrations are not very detailed and don’t always match the corresponding text. The step by step instructions are in paragraph form, which is difficult to follow as I alternate my view between book and stitching. Furthermore, this book is filled with little jokes, puns, and personal opinions of the author, which I found to be annoying.
July 13, 2012
When author Diana Rupp came to town to promote this book, I thought about going, but then thought I was too advanced an embroiderer to want to read another introduction to embroidery book. Complete arrogance. This book is fun. Not only are the projects interesting and the directions well thought out, but Rupp’s voice is engaging and entertaining. Yes—I am talking about the “voice” of a craft book! I read her 20 page introductory essay and was hooked—enough to read 80 more pages on work tools, stitch instructions and finishing technique, something that I’ve never done with a craft book. This is because Rupp is engaging, exciting and generous with her embroidery instruction.
She is a teacher of sewing and needle arts in NYC and brings her class to this book. Reading it feels as though you could be sitting on a stool around a butcher block table strewn with bit of fabric and thread with a half a dozen eager students waiting for class to begin. She sprinkles her text with wonderful bits of embroidery history (who knew that DMC got its current name because Daniel Dollfus, the company founder, hyphenated his last name when he married at the end of the 18th century and so added the “M” to the company name?). Rupp’s excitement about the craft is evident. She clearly loves stitching and her love is infectious. It is clear she has spent many years teaching absolute beginners everything from how to thread a needle to how to make a French knot. Her instructions are crystal clear. She knows what works, but she makes it fun. The book is not perfect-on page xix there is a picture of some cut work labeled hardanger, which is sure to confuse the beginner. But this is probably a layout error and since she doesn’t teach either hardanger or cutwork, that’s ok.
This is a great book to get an absolute beginner stitching and eager to learn more. For the more advanced embroiderer, she has some interesting transfer techniques and fun simple projects. I think that it is in her descriptions and her ebullient love of stitching though that will really reinvigorate a more advanced stitcher’s imagination and make this book aimed at beginners a good one to check out.
JEFF
746.44
RUPP
She is a teacher of sewing and needle arts in NYC and brings her class to this book. Reading it feels as though you could be sitting on a stool around a butcher block table strewn with bit of fabric and thread with a half a dozen eager students waiting for class to begin. She sprinkles her text with wonderful bits of embroidery history (who knew that DMC got its current name because Daniel Dollfus, the company founder, hyphenated his last name when he married at the end of the 18th century and so added the “M” to the company name?). Rupp’s excitement about the craft is evident. She clearly loves stitching and her love is infectious. It is clear she has spent many years teaching absolute beginners everything from how to thread a needle to how to make a French knot. Her instructions are crystal clear. She knows what works, but she makes it fun. The book is not perfect-on page xix there is a picture of some cut work labeled hardanger, which is sure to confuse the beginner. But this is probably a layout error and since she doesn’t teach either hardanger or cutwork, that’s ok.
This is a great book to get an absolute beginner stitching and eager to learn more. For the more advanced embroiderer, she has some interesting transfer techniques and fun simple projects. I think that it is in her descriptions and her ebullient love of stitching though that will really reinvigorate a more advanced stitcher’s imagination and make this book aimed at beginners a good one to check out.
JEFF
746.44
RUPP
February 3, 2013
Thank you Diana Rupp for reintroducing me to a childhood hobby! The 'Embroider Everything Workshop is a terrific resource, whether you are new to decorative stitching, want to rediscover it, or want to learn additional techniques. The 'back to basics lessons are easy to follow, and the projects are fresh and modern. I'll be trying lots of them. Highly recommended.
December 9, 2011
Clever and accessible guide to needle arts. I love the Practice Stitch Card and the fact that she includes needlepoint while acknowledging that it is Really Not Hip Right Now. A worthy successor to her brilliant Sew Everything Workshop.
May 18, 2012
This book has all the instructions needed to do any kind of needlework. The projects were pretty dull, though.
January 7, 2013
I like how it helps new needlepoint, embroidery, and cross-stitch. It does take some time to do it right.
March 14, 2013
Excellent primer on stitching: information about all necessary supplies, stitches, fabrics, and great projects included, too.
I'd love to own this someday.
I'd love to own this someday.
February 18, 2015
Great beginner book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews