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Review ------ March 2015 I love the simplicity of cross stitch, you make a row of diagonal lines going one way and then you go back the other way. It's easy to get into a rhythm because it's all the same, over and over. But embroidery is a whole different ballgame, there are tons of stitches. Apparently, far more than I even realized because A-Z of Embroidery Stitches* is full of ones I've never even heard of! I had a hard time even getting a photo of the contents pages listing all the stitches, there are so many! I counted and there are 84 different stitches listed, and that doesn't even count all the variations like the 8 types of blanket stitches. I tried my hand at a couple of the stitches in the book and I found the photos all really easy to follow and the directions to be clear. Besides a handful of basic stitches, I always need to reference either YouTube videos or an online guide when doing embroidery stitches. I really appreciated the little diagram that appears on the top showing all the different steps at once. It was really helpful for me to get an idea of the progression of the stitches. In addition to all the different stitches there is also a great general overview on getting started with embroidery - transferring designs, choosing needles, finishing your embroideries... There are also tips for left handed embroiderers and a lot of great information about thread painting and working with ribbon. The cover of the book advertises it as "a complete manual for the beginner through to the advanced embroiderer" and I would definitely agree. This is a truly comprehensive stitch guide and I was really impressed with how easy to follow the photos and directions are. I was also excited to see that there are a bunch of other "A to Z" embroidery books either out or that will be released this year - whitework, needlepoint, threadpainting, ribbon embroidery, stumpwork. I'm really excited to check out some of these, especially if they are as detailed as this one! You can see this review in full here: http://hugsarefun.com/book-review-z-embroidery-stitches/ * Hugs Are Fun * March 2015 This is a timeless and useful guide to embroidery stitches. It offers step-by-step instructions to an A-Z of stitches with clear, easy to follow photos. Find out how to create the perfect bullion knot and much more with professional techniques. It includes all the stitches you need for any stitch project. The only downside is that you might have this book as it was previously published in Australia in 2000 by Country Bumpkin. * Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts * December 2014 Defined here as "a way of altering a surface with stitches," embroidery in all its richness and variety is presented in this alphabetically arranged guide to a wealth of stitches available to the needle crafter. Thread, needles, and fabric are the triumvirate of necessary materials required for all embroidery projects, and an introductory discussion of those factors is joined by commentary on transferring design onto fabric. Once these important preliminary issues are cleared, then the meat of the book is offered: the stitches themselves, from simple to complicated. The thing to realize about this book is that every stitch is afforded clear and detailed textual directions augmented by exquisitely clear photographs. * Booklist * November 2014 Embroidery is an amazing craft. It's something that is so beautiful and can be added to so many items and gifts. It can be used for everything from cards, to pictures to adding a flourish on a project. This book is ideal for anyone from a beginner to an advanced embroider. The book takes you through each stitch. Each stitch is described with instructions and full step-by-step pictures. The instructions are really easy to understand and the pictures mean you can see exactly what you should be doing to create the stitch at each stage. The pictures are clear and there are an amazing array of stitches explained. The stitches include instructions for using ribbon. The instructions are so easy to follow and in no time you are creating beautiful things. I cannot describe the amazing a of stitches that are in this book. It's one of those books that no matter how long you have it you will always use it. This is a book that anyone wanting or already embroidering will want for their collection. It's a book that would be brilliant as a Christmas Gift or for adding that extra special something to a gift you've made. To see more reviews like this visit http://www.crochetaddictuk.com/ * Crochet Addict UK * August 2016 Embroidery stitch dictionaries are handy books to have on your shelf, even if you only dabble in hand embroidery as an occassional hobby - they are wonderful reference tools amd are great to help you expand your st horizons. In this book the clear step by step photography and instructions are easy to follow for beginners. Plus in addition to the stitches, there's also a general overview on getting started with embroidery - transferring designs, choosing needles, finishing your embroidereries..plus tips for left handed stitchers. * Love to Make * About the Author ---------------- Compiled by the expert team at Country Bumpkin, renowned Australian publishers of embroidery books and magazines.