Stitch Encyclopedia: Embroidery: An Illustrated Guide to the Essential Embroidery Stitches

by Bunka Gakuen

This gorgeously illustrated stitch guide for embroidery is as timeless as the craft itself. The slender volume presents the fundamental stitches for needlecraft in simple, easy-to-follow color illustrations. The encyclopedic, dip-in, dip-out approach is well-suited for beginners looking to build a foundation of stitch techniques as well as seasoned crafters who will love keeping these handsome reference guides on their shelves. Classically designed and packaged as lovely jacketed paperbacks the Stitch Encyclopedias (Crochet, Embroidery, and Knitting) make a memorable gift for crafters and visual learners and can be enjoyed individually or as an attractive set.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crafts, Sewing, Reference

64 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2013

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide to stitches!

This really is the Stitch Encyclopedia! It shows a lot of basic embroidery stitches and how to make them. Very good illustrations! I got this from the library but I may have to buy my own book!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, short, handy little guide to dozens of embroidery stitches. Originally one of those gorgeous Japanese craft books - that are far too hard to find outside of Japan - as it is practically wordless the "translation" must have been a no brainer.

The illustrations are easy to understand, they take you through the steps of each stitch in a minimum of steps and are quite elegant besides - each separate stitch is demarcated by a pretty pastel tint. There's a guide at the back to basic tools, as well as a few really helpful tips to getting started.

Readers should be aware there are no patterns in this book - but as an artist this is exactly what I am looking for as I prefer to make my own, and wouldn't want space wasted on cutesy images I'll never use.

I only have two small quibbles: firstly, there is no entry for stem stitch, only one for outline stitch - which is similar, and can probably be used in it's - but is not the same. Stem is a pretty basic stitch and oddly there is even a later entry for an "alternating stem stitch." Overall It's not a glaring omission, just an odd choice.

Secondly, and this more personal, I would love if this book had been published at about half the size so it'd fit in my travel sewing kit! There are still times (however rare) when I am without internet (occasionally by choice!) and this would be the perfect pocket reference if it were just a touch smaller.

Overall though, If you'd like something pretty to sit in your sewing basket this is just the ticket!

[Charlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plain guide for stitches

A huge number of stitches are diagrammed for self-instruction in needlework. This is simply a guide to stitches. There are no examples of stitch work or examples of how stitches might be used together. Great for the creative and adventure-some who just wish to learn the basic stitches.

[Lorelei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a beginner book but a great reference and a great visual aid

[Scott Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book I will be using to practice. Great photos/illustrations. I will be using the roll stitch later this afternoon.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many stitches, each with beautiful and easy-to-understand illustrations!

[Fusspot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected stitch names. Good diagrams.