Paint with Thread: A step-by-step guide to embroidery through the seasons

by Emillie Ferris

Slow down and embroider your way through the changing seasons with the beautiful debut book from embroidery artist and rising star Emillie Ferris.  Needlepainting, also known as thread painting or silk shading, is a form of embroidery that creates a realistic, lifelike effect using a single strand of thread and one simple stitch – the 'long and short' stitch. You can create gorgeous colour gradients, magical details and flowing stitch directions that are perfect if you want to embroider flora and fauna.  In this richly illustrated step-by-step guide, self-taught embroidery artist Emillie Ferris shows you how to pick up a needle and thread in the same way as a paintbrush to create strokes of colour and bring images to life on fabric. Inspired by nature and the changing seasons, Emillie has created five new and exclusive patterns for the book, four that reflect each season in turn and one special design that brings the natural year together into one showstopper embroidery.  This book is the culmination of all of Emillie’s skills and years of experience in this wonderful, meditative art form. Each design has around 60 detailed step-by-step photos, showing every stage of the process, so that even complete beginners can follow along and create beautiful embroideries. If you have been considering learning the art of needlepainting but are unsure where to start, then this book is for you! Not only are the embroideries sublime, but the book itself is a thing of beauty, with incredible attention to detail – from the exquisite photography to the lavish hardback binding, making it a real treasure for the book lover. Plus, high quality iron-on transfers at the back of the book allow you to transfer the designs directly onto fabric to get started straight away. In this book Emillie generously shares her tried and tested tips and techniques, including advice on materials, transferring designs onto fabric, and fully illustrated explanations of the stitches and skills needed. The five in-depth projects draw on Emillie’s love of nature, including motifs that she is best known for such as flowers, foliage, bees and fungi.  This beautiful book will become an indispensable and treasured guide allowing you to paint with thread the Emillie Ferris way.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Art, Reference

128 pages, Hardcover

Published May 24, 2022

Reviews

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often feel like the "instructions" portion of an embroidery book is perfunctory and unhelpful. This book excels specifically in that section! She writes as if she's working with you, giving little tips about exactly how to coax the stitches correctly.
The instructional photo she chose are also thoughtful and not of the type you see over and over in books. I don't use the word 'unique' lightly when I say that this is a unique addition to my embroidery library.

[Mary Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb book!!
If you are an AO/HEO mom this is perfect for handcrafts for you (mother culture) and your child. You can simplify it for your child if you need or just wait until they are ready for it.

Each chapter that starts a new project even has a commonplace quote at the beginning.

Beautiful, gorgeous nature designs and excellent instructions.

[June Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful book was written by a very talented embroidery designer!

The author of this book is a gifted hand-embroiderer who shares her journey with thread painting with readers along with presenting five of her original designs in projects. Transfer sheets for the designs are in the back of the book.

The photography is excellent as are the instructions for prepping and completing each project.

I borrowed this book from our local public library system.

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[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeous book! I would like to try creating one of the designs in this book. Maybe someday? They are beautiful and intricate. Iron on patterns are included at the back of the book. The designs are simple, the stitches not complicated, but they are combined to create a painterly effect.

The book itself is a work of art. Loved it!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to learn out to thread paint! I loved the iron on stencils. They made it a lot easier to have a guide on what to do. The instructions were very easy to understand. The one problem I had was that the listed colors did not match the images.

[Amy Noe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this simply because the cover was so beautiful and I love embroidery. I didn't realize that the entire book is just step by step color and stitch guides for only five very detailed projects. If you know that going in, it's definitely 5 stars. The pictures alone are so gorgeous. I plan on keeping the book around to page through on occasion while I work up the motivation to tackle such detailed work!

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Literally a guide to make realistic natural images through the use of long and short stitch embroidery. Included are - of course - the basics of embroidery and tools needed as well as recommended in order to start this craft. Also included are transfer templates for 5 projects - well, actually ten since the each is a central piece which can be done individually or including the background designs. So we have a dandelion, sunflower, mushroom, robin and honeybee. Especially with the honeybee, it looks like the millions of hairs on their bodies (yes, they are hairy) have been reproduced, having been given an illusionary three-dimensionality.

So if you enjoy the craft of embroidery, you might want to expand into creating what the author calls 'needle painting'. It certainly provides a different viewpoint on some of the needle crafts.

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[Jaime Lyerly · Rating 3 out of 5]

My judgment for art process books is whether or not the author teacher explains it clearly enough for me to learn the information, and/or to do the projects listed.

The author is listed on the back as being 27 years old, and this reads like it's been written by someone that age. With all of the enthusiasm and "Good job, you did it" energy and statements, it is cute.

But do I think I could get through the complex projects suggested and listed in this book with a single thread of embroidery floss, and no help from the author on how to troubleshoot?

Probably not.

It looks too complex, and there are no beginning starter ones.

Overall, it's a pretty book showing this Instagram famous person’s neat nature embroideries.

The book is only just over 100 pages, so it could at least inspire someone to explore further.

[Faith]

Embroidery is one of those crafts that I largely know how to do, but only rarely find myself pursuing. Lately, though, I’ve been on an embroidery kick, and this book has some absolutely gorgeous inspiration. On the whole it didn’t teach me much that I didn’t already know, but the patterns are beautiful and this would probably be a good primer for beginners if this is an embroidery style you like — quite a few embroidery guides I’ve looked at over the years are overly focused on outlines and not enough on the nuts and bolts of filling in your designs, and this is one of the few I’ve found that handles that well.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

very thorough instructions

Usually when I pick up a book that says it is suitable for absolute beginners, I find it lacking in the super basics. Not this time. I have never attempted embroidery. I borrowed this book based on the beauty cover and a passing interest in yet another fiber art. Having read this book, I feel confident I could pick up some supplies and begin another fiber journey. This book is filled with close up images and detailed descriptions of stitches and the motions to make them. There is definitely embroidery in my future.

[Patricia in New Mexico · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend Paint with Thread by Emilie Ferris. I had no idea what paint with thread meant, though I have been embroidering for many years. She explains it very simply, and provides beautiful projects to get you started. They range from projects that could be finished quickly to the more detailed finishes. Painting with thread seems so intimidating, but her explanation, photos and projects make it seem very doable. Highly recommend this book.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not only beautiful to look at, it has wonderful instructions for each of the projects included in the book. I enjoyed the overall layout in the book, and all of the very detailed photos of each project. I borrowed this from our local library, but intend to purchase a copy for my own as well.

[Mirona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful patterns, with very elaborate and clear instructions on how to use the patterns. You can take the whole pattern and embroider it, but you can also use parts of it as it suits your purpose. The design of the book is very well done and to look through it gives you the feeling you're busy being creative, let alone if you use the patterns in it!

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this DRC from Edelweiss.

The patterns in this book are really cute. There are a few butterflies, a bird, and some flowers. The styling of the book and the photography are both nice. The stitch tutorials are clear. I like the aesthetic of it all.

[Gina Lento · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the idea of using embroidery as another medium to ‘paint’ a subject. I have been wanting to try new ideas for embroidery and this is an excellent resource,,and I learned a new stitch or two. I am bubbling over with ideas now!

[Susan R · Rating 5 out of 5]

simply beautiful

Emillie is such an amazing talent. Her embroidery do look like she’s painting thread. I’m just amazed how beautiful her work is and all done one thread at a time. I learned to always use two thread, maybe that’s why I’m not as good lol.

[Liz Etnyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely designs - and VERY good instructions, both in general and relating to each design. Highly recommended for those who would like to move beyond basic embroidery stitches/patterns to painting with thread.

[Jackie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book! Clear instructions.

I loved the clear instructions, I'm
downloadable patterns, and lovely projects! Even the "lowly "Dandilion was lovely! The only negative is I don't have the materials yet!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apart from being one of the most beautiful embroidery books I've ever bought, it is also one of the best. Easy to read, super directions and instructions ; outstanding.

[Pixelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous patterns, good iron ons and clear instructions. I finished one pattern and am working on the second.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The designs are so beautiful and unique. I wish there were more examples with her style.

[Artemis Cienfuegos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great patterns and helpful information

[SassieMolassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars for me. One of the best embroidery books I've come across in a long time. I really loved the projects and patterns and actually plan to complete a few.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork in this book has no business being this beautiful

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book!! Thoughtfully and inspiringly laid out. I hope Emillie does more!!

[Maren Childs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic guide, can't wait to start my next project with some of the tips she shares!

[Dave Laskowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Full of useful information, clearly written, more than enough pictures for visual instructions. Really deserves five stars. As I said great book.

[MaryAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and written. A great resource for beginners and just what I needed.

[BlackCat Magic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathtakingly Gorgeous

Absolutely gorgeous patterns and a gorgeous book. I went to her shop to order the bee needle minder. I'm so excited to see what I can paint with thread.

[Kier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

What a gorgeous book, perfect. If you love nature this is definitely the one! I love the diagrams and explanations, very clear and easy to understand.