Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A great guide for anyone wanting to learn embroidery. Lots of stitches and practical ways to practice and use them. Good patterns too.

NetGalley, Aubrey Kerr

This book is well laid out and starts with the basics and then on that basic you add on to more stitches. A wonderful sampler where you can practice your stitches as well as other projects you can make, This book is a must for any embroidery fan.

NetGalley, lisa jung

Really cute designs to bring embroidery and needlework arts into a modern craft space. The patterns themselves very in difficulty and I think this would be fantastic for a newbie.

NetGalley, Katherine Fullerton

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

It's nice to see embroidery and other fibrecrafts enjoying a renaissance of sorts. In times (long) past, people would learn these skills as a matter of necessity, handed down from generation to generation in the family. That's no longer true, so crafters must turn to other sources of instruction. The internet (youtube, ravelry, et.al.) and other social media channels are good sources of instruction, but for not-strictly-visual learners, books are still vital. For folks who learn better with a book in front of them than constantly pausing a video, this is a good instructional volume.

It's a well written and formatted guide to embroidery projects along with basic stitch instructions and templates which are suitable for beginning and up embroiderers. The introduction includes instructions for a colorful primer/sampler where readers can learn the stitches, and have a finished project for reference for further projects. The actual project chapters build on one another and cover beginning basics, borders & edging, decorative stitches & motifs, and textures & knots. The final chapter includes templates and tips.

There are QR codes scattered throughout with links to further information and online content.
The stitch diagrams which are provided include clear line drawn schematics for straight stitch, lazy daisy, satin, French knot, chain stitch, and other surface embroidery techniques. It would be possible to complete the projects in the book by just using the stitch tutorials, but obviously having a more experienced stitching buddy would help. It should be noted that this book is about surface embroidery, not cross stitch. It's lovely to see tutorials and and upswing in interest for the other fibrearts; it seems like only cross-stitch had any following for a long long time and it's nice to see surface embroidery enjoying a renaissance.

Very colourful and appealing projects.

NetGalley, Annie Buchanan

A lovely book. I am relatively new to embroidery and this has certainly given me lots of ideas of different projects I could work towards in the future. It is useful because it has lots of clear images and step by step guides. It would also make a good gift.

NetGalley, Emma Martin

I want to get back to embroidery and this book was a good re-introduction to many stitches. The images and instructions were clear and helped me understand how to recreate them.
I liked her projects - and want to do a few of them as I normally would stick to a very traditional design but I love how she has had fun with different stitches in the same embroidery project - I think that would be so fun, and the best part is they are quick and easy - so not as time consuming as some of the other crafts I do.

NetGalley, Ishieta Chopra

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

In terms of crafting books I always feel like they are awesome but seem to miss the mark, this book hit the mark spot on. Not only were the projects something that I would actually like to do and keep and use as decoration, the pictures were chosen extremely well and made the process to follow along and learn very easy. This book has given me so much information and knowledge I was lacking for hand embroidery and has inspired projects I am actually excited to gift and display. I will for sure be recommending this book to others especially beginners.

NetGalley, Lacey Garrigan

This book grabbed me and my students right off the bat! We are excited to work through some of the projects, and I have a shoe stitching workshop in my plans for next fall already.

I teach student teachers, and am always looking for texts to add to our collection of “how-to” books. Sometimes, makers want a book to explore, rather than relying on a video for instruction.

What's great here? The wide variety of projects, the detailed project photos and the colour. A number of my students also commented on how well the book was structured, allowing the reader to easily find a project with a specific stitch.

NetGalley, Lisa Noble

As seen in

Love Embroidery magazine

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Modern Embroidery Handbook will encourage and inspire you to go beyond the embroidery hoop, get out of your comfort zone and be bold in trying different techniques. If you’ve ever wanted to experiment with watercolours on fabric, stitch unique customised pieces to wear or use in your home, or even to create 3D effects with hand embroidery, then look no further. This colourful and informative book will give you the confidence to experiment and help you to find joy in taking time out to be creative!
This is a brilliant book for anyone who is interested in Embroidery. Filled with excellent photos and instructions for the beginner and also some new stitches which might satisfy the more proficient embroiderer. There are many projects to make anyone happy and some interesting twists on the traditional. An excellent addition to a crafters library. Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the chance to learn and review The Modern Embroidery Handbook.

NetGalley, Carol Elizabeth Keogh

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This book shows step-by-step instructions for learning hand-embroidery and getting started on your first few projects, including printable templates. I liked that the stitch instructions used photos instead of illustrations because it helped me see how the thread is actually supposed to look. This is a great resource for instruction to keep on-hand when you (inevitably in my case) forget how to do a specific stitch, or as inspiration for creating your own designs in the future.

NetGalley, Hannah Nguyen

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This was a great book for anyone who wants to try their hand at embroidery. There are tons of stitches, all with detailed instructions that are easy to follow. I also really enjoyed the variety of projects that the author has created with the stitches. They are all very engaging and things I can see someone who is new to the craft being interested in. Often, people have a very dated notion in their heads when someone says they embroider, and this helps to show that it can be up -to -date as well!

NetGalley, Vanessa Edwards

The Modern Embroidery Handbook includes many fun beginner embroidery projects using basic stitches. It is ideal for youth and adults who are trying embroidery for the first time. The book offers good guidance to learn and practice essential stitches. I recommend the book for youth leaders who are looking for fun projects and all other learners who want to incorporate embroidery in arts and crafts projects.

NetGalley, Joyce Sparrow

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

"The Modern Embroidery Handbook" is a comprehensive guide to the art of hand embroidery, designed for stitchers of all levels. Inspired by vintage sewing companions, the book offers step-by-step instructions for 72 different stitches, a large-scale sampler, and 20 original projects. The initial chapters introduce basic stitches commonly found in embroidery designs. As readers progress, they are introduced to more advanced techniques, including stitches for borders and edging, decorative motifs, and textural stitches and knots. Each stitch is clearly illustrated with step-by-step instructions, making it accessible even to beginners. The 20 projects provide ample opportunity to practice the stitches learned. They range from simple samplers to more ambitious pieces, such as a customizable mini-sampler dress, a botanical wreath, and a collaborative embroidery project. Each project includes detailed instructions, beautiful photographs, and templates for home use. Beyond the technical guidance, "The Modern Embroidery Handbook" encourages readers to explore their creativity and experiment with unconventional techniques. Albans provides tips for using watercolours on fabric, creating unique pieces for personal use or home decor, and experimenting with 3D effects in embroidery. The book's focus on modern embroidery aligns with current trends in the craft. Albans emphasizes bold motifs, personalized designs, and a contemporary aesthetic. The projects reflect this modern sensibility, encouraging readers to step out of their comfort zones and explore new possibilities. Overall, "The Modern Embroidery Handbook" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning or advancing their embroidery skills. From basic stitches to inspiring projects, this book provides a comprehensive and accessible guide to the art of hand embroidery.

NetGalley, Jande Barrera

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Really great book. I love that it had a sampler pattern and included more then just the most basic embroidery stitches. I like how it was organized to build upon itself with more stitches being used in the patterns. It also has a nice mix of projects.

NetGalley, Hannah Tracy

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is a beautiful colourful book full of inspiration for stitches of all abilities.

There are simple step by step instructions for 72 different stitches and 20 projects which will allow you to try out all the stitches you have learned. I love the templates which allows the reader the opportunity to try the projects for themselves.

I love embroidery and find it such a relaxing hobby so I’m looking forward to trying out a few of the projects from the book and referring back to it when I’m looking for inspiration.

NetGalley, Jean Haylett

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Modern Embroidery Handbook by Clare Albans is a bright, beautifully produced guide to creating fresh and exciting projects with hand embroidery. The stitch guides are some of the most helpful I've ever read in embroidery books, with clear instructions and beautiful color coding. The projects are creative and wide ranging, with multiple difficulty levels to grow your skills. I'm used to craft books where I can see myself making 2-3 of the patterns; in this book I immediately wanted to make them all.

NetGalley, Emma Fish

If you're an embroiderer who's a fan of bright and fun colors, this book is for you. The ideas were so fun and creative and will definitely brighten any space up. The instructions were clear and the patterns were inspirational. This is the perfect gift for someone who enjoys embroidery and also bright cheerful colors!

NetGalley, Ariel (She/Her)

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

By golly where do I begin. I absolutely love this book! It got me at the cover. The bright colors drew me in and the patterns are beautiful.
The pictures and explanations are excellent and easy to understand.
As an embroider I was taken with the mix of designs, colors and elements used. There was something for everyone no matter the skill level.

NetGalley, Amelia Armitage

This is a super fun instructional and inspirational book for those who love cross stitching. You’re shown the basics with clear, colorful pictures. I appreciated how there are templates available but plenty of the projects can be inspired by free hand. I personally need things mapped out for me but this book had enough cross stitching project suggestions that would inspire anyone new or experienced in this hobby

NetGalley, Katie Murphy

This is a very nicely done guide for both stitches and ideas. I like the idea of the sampler for learning each of the stitches. It's more modern and colorful than what's been out there before.

NetGalley, Chelsea Findlay

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I've been wanting to do embroidery for so long, my kit sitting collecting dust from 3 Christmases ago! Thanks to this book I might finally pick it up! It has some amazing beginner projects, ranging from home décor, clothing, wall art and more! The bookmark looks like the perfect place to start for the book advocates amongst us reading this book via NetGalley! 😉 I can't wait to try out some of these fun little projects.

NetGalley, Sam Wightman

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This embroidery tutorial book is FUN! I use a lot of different mediums in my art, but embroidery is my very favorite. I love the ideas Clare adds to this book, the colors she picked, and the stitches. There were so many I didn’t even know about! I feel inspired.

NetGalley, Stephanie Roemer

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Clare Albans has very creative designs and ideas within her modern embroidery handbook. She does not just cover embroidery hoops but all kinds of fabrics that one can embroider (and those options are plenty!).

My favourites are the botanical hoop, the polaroid hoop and the shelfie bookmark!

NetGalley, Britt van Vliet

The Modern Embroidery Handbook : Learn over 70 hand embroidery stitches step-by-step, plus 20 colourful projects and a sampler. This is a creative and inspiring guide including unique stitches and techniques. The step by step instructions make it suitable for beginners and more advanced needle workers alike. The projects are varied and fun and can be adapted to your own tastes. The photographs and colourful pages make the book a joy to browse through. Perfect for new and more advanced embroiderers.

NetGalley, jc Cross

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This was a really great embroidery book and I am definitely going to be making a ton of these in the future!

NetGalley, Kaitlyn Call

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I love embroidery but this book takes ideas to a whole new level. Very cute projects that can be made by a beginner or advanced sewer. Instructions and graphics are detailed and easy to read. My favorite was the embroidery on the sneakers, which I would have never guessed could be so simple to do. Lots of fun ideas.

NetGalley, Sandra Rogaskie

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The book cover is absolutely beautiful! The colors and photos drew me in instantly. As a crafter myself, I love colorful projects and color in general. I’ve always found embroidery to be a beautiful art and have always wanted to learn about it. The step by step for each project and the photos make it easy to follow. Not to mention the photos are stunning! The patchwork needlebook and bookmark were some of my favorites. I’m excited to try some of these projects and dive into the embroidery world!

NetGalley, Nicole Benero

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This was awesome. I love embroidery as an easy hobby I can jump in and out of. This book makes it simple to pick up as needed.

NetGalley, Crystal Britt

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I love that the book comes with templates for every project it goes over in the book, but I also love that it sets you up to create your own projects - by showing how the skills can be transferred to different mediums and concepts. It seems like a super practical and useful tool for the beginner (like me!) to learn a lot of different stitches. Everything made sense conceptually and I will update once I apply what I've learned to an actual project!

NetGalley, Sarah Feld

A bright, colorful look into a fresh perspective of embroidery.

NetGalley, Karen Duncan