Hand Embroidery Stitches At-A-Glance Book

Embroidery Books & Patterns – Stitch Guides & Stick-and-Stitch Designs

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Learn the stitches, then find something to stitch. Shop beginner-friendly embroidery stitch books and guides, peel-and-stick embroidery patterns that wash away when you finish, and instant-download PDF designs. Need hoops, floss or fabric too? Find it all in our embroidery supplies shop. read more

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Embroidery Books & Patterns – Stitch Guides & Stick-and-Stitch Designs

Finding the best embroidery book for beginners

Embroidery is often the first stepping stone from quilting for many of us. It’s beautiful, relaxing and inexpensive, and all you really need to start is a hoop, some floss and a good stitch guide. The “best” embroidery book depends on where you are. If you’re brand new, start with a compact stitch reference with clear step-by-step diagrams, like the Hand Embroidery Stitches At-A-Glance Book (30 popular stitches plus needle and thread charts). If you want to play with texture and freestyle stitching, the Foolproof Freeform Embroidery Book walks you through 45 basic stitches. Ready for a project? Stitching Adorable Animals by Jessica Long has 25 full-size animal patterns with color and stitch-direction diagrams.

What are stick-and-stitch embroidery patterns?

Stick-and-stitch patterns are designs pre-printed on water-soluble stabilizer. Peel off the backing, stick the design onto your shirt, jacket, tote or tea towel, stitch right through it, then rinse the stabilizer away with warm water. No tracing and no transfer pens. They’re a great way to add embroidery to clothing and to fabric that’s hard to mark.

Digital embroidery patterns

Our digital download patterns arrive as instant PDFs, so you can print, trace and resize them to fit your hoop. Many include a beginner’s guide, stitch and color keys, and a video tutorial link. Looking for more designs? Browse all of our hand embroidery patterns, or pick up embroidery floss and hoops to get started.

Embroidery Book FAQs

What's the best embroidery book for beginners?+

Start with a stitch guide that has clear, step-by-step illustrations. Customers say the Hand Embroidery Stitches At-A-Glance Book has "very clear instructions and images," and one reviewer is using it to teach her two great-nieces. Experienced stitchers like it as a quick refresher too.

Is there an embroidery book for left-handed stitchers?+

Yes. Sally Cowan’s Left-Handed Embroidery Book shows 40 stitches drawn for lefties in 96 progressive diagrams. One reviewer’s reaction: "Finally, something for us lefties!"

How do stick-and-stitch embroidery patterns work?+

Peel the backing off the printed stabilizer, stick it where you want the design, stitch through it, then wash the stabilizer away with warm water. Each sheet is single-use, and the hoop, fabric and thread aren’t included.

Do digital embroidery patterns come in the mail?+

No. Digital downloads are PDF files you can open right away, with nothing shipped. Because it’s a PDF, you can resize it. One customer enlarged the Catwalk pattern and stitched it in her own favorite colors.

Is the embroidery stitch poster rolled or folded?+

The Periodic Table of Embroidery Stitches Poster ships folded, so expect some creases. Reviewers say it’s printed on sturdy paper and makes a clever gift for a stitching friend.