Stitched Gifts: 25 Sweet and Simple Embroidery Projects for Every Occasion

by Jessica Marquez

From Jessica Marquez, founder of the popular blog and shop Miniature Rhino, Stitched Gifts offers irresistible embroidery projects for every occasion—weddings, holidays, baby showers, anniversaries, or just because. Each project is rendered in Marquez's signature natural, modern style and can be easily personalized using the templates within for truly meaningful keepsakes. Featuring an illustrated stitch dictionary, striking photographs, perforated template sheets, traceable alphabets, plus a section on creative finishing techniques such as staining hoops, framing, and more, this distinctly beautiful craft book has something for embroiderers of all skill levels.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Sewing, Reference, Art

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 19, 2012

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book on hand embroidery that was published at the beginning of embroidery's recent revival. I like her aesthetic a lot; it's different from the overwhelming number of newer books which are very floral and textural and full of bright colours (which I also like but it's becoming a bit samey).

The intro with basic how-tos - both equipment and stitches - is thorough and she doesn't skip over how to do things right which I feel some other books do. Also she encourages readers to change stitches, colours, etc. as they wish to make the patterns their own. I liked the personalized ideas and think that many of these would indeed make great gifts.

Jessica Marquez also has a Craftsy class on hand embroidery, which I found to be the best one on offer even if it is quieter and slower than some of the newer, brighter ones. Very complete and user oriented book and class.

[Sharon Shoemaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple embroidery gifts

“Simple embroidery gifts” is a very good description of the book. Many of the projects are extremely simple. The projects for babies and young children are cute and would be fun to complete. There is some simple crewel embroidery. That is always pretty. I like the beginning the best. The author teaches several embroidery stitches. Check this one out at the library.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked this ebook out from overdrive.com through my local library. I think it has several creative and interesting ideas for embroidered gifts and decor for the home. She gives tips and more ideas too to get your creative juices flowing. Sure there are lots of ideas online, but sometimes it's nice to have a book to thumb through or to have the written instructions for how to do a certain stitch. I would not mind owning this book to look back on later.

[Michelle "Champ" · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was simply adorable. Full of very detailed illustrations for a new embroidery person, like me (I have tons of cross stitch experience but not these fancy stitches). I found the stitch examples easy to follow and very detailed. I have not made any of the projects, but plan to once I finish the project I started when I got this book.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good for introducing embroidery skills. Very helpful pictures to show how to use certain techniques. There were a few projects that were more applique heavy and not so much embroidery focused. Overall it was very nice and cute.

[Rowan's Bookshelf (Carleigh) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is okay, extremely simple designs but still requires forethought on behalf of the maker. There will only two designs that I scanned from it, and maybe some cute projects for newborns. Overall just okay

[Gabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had some fun ideas that I thought of, but couldn't visualize. The patterns could be larger and the instructions are made more for an intermediate embroiderer.

[Lilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has good instructions on the matter but not really good samples to work with it, just simple and bland not creative at all .

[Sarah Starkiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute! Such great ideas for gifts that left me wanting to run out and try most of the projects

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely adore the floral alphabet in this book but the rest of the projects are forgettable. The instructions at the beginning of how to do each stitch are quite good though!

[Juli Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of variations on the same thing, and almost everything is meant to be hung on a wall. I was hoping for more useful gifts here.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

These weren't really my style. I liked the letter ones, but that's about it.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 2 out of 5]

What an incredibly bland book. You know those books that say, "Not your grandmother's [craft]" because it's hip and cool. This, however, isn't your grandmother's craft because although traditional in what she made, my grandmother was very creative.

The best part of the book are the general instructions which are nicely illustrated. The pictures are very small, but they're very good.

The heading fonts aren't easy to read. Most are in script or tall and narrow. It's like the book was designed by a designer who wasn't a printing designer and was trying to just make it look cool rather than taking in readability and the special fonts used in certain types of design.

All but three projects in this book are framed, usually with embroidery hoops and even those are flat, two dimensional things (a banner, gift tags). The motifs are incredibly boring, mostly a few flowers and leaves and alphabets. The one good project is actually pretty clever: messages in a bottle. Little embroidered sweet messages are rolled up and put in tiny little bottles.

barely 2 stars

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some really good ideas in this book. Some are kind of 'why didn't I think of that?' like using signatures of loved ones, and some I would never have thought of, like stitching your home's blueprint. I like that the patterns are modern, while occasionally nodding towards tradition, like the alphabet sampler where the letters look like flowers and twigs. Also, someone was thinking- the patterns are printed on actual notebook style paper in the back, and are perforated so it's easy to tear out. The author includes several alphabets in the patterns section also, which is a nice bonus.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference book that teaches different stitch techniques and suggestions of supplies so you can begin embroidery. I only wish there were more typical gift ideas suggested or illustrated. 4 1/2 stars

[Regan W · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I did not find the projects in this book particularly innovative or creative, this is hands down the best instruction on how to complete various stitches. Excellent source for education. Excellent illustrations. I would recommend to anyone looking to learn embroidery.

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This definitely is not a "traditional embroidery" book. There are some neat projects, but there are some really 'odd' things, too.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun collection of simple, contemporary embroidery projects. Inspiring!

[Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very creative--love the message in a bottle & the family tree ideas. Workable for anyone--beginner & up.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the templates!

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ideas, wouldn't mind owning this one