“Creative Embroidery” book review
I was lucky to receive a free copy of Christen Brown’s new book “Creative Embroidery”. This is my review of the book.
This book, like all of Christen’s embroidery books is packed full of embroidery information and inspiration.
The theme of the book is using your stash of all the little odds and ends you’ve saved over the years. So if you have a box with bits of lace, trims and ribbon then this is perfect for you.
There are ideas for using all your little pieces as well as old hankies and doilies. So if you have inherited some (or picked them up at a flea market or antique store), you will get ideas for what to do with them.
As well as embroidery project ideas, there is a lot of information about sourcing supplies, identifying time periods and fibre contents, cleaning and storage.
Like Christen’s other books, it includes clear instructions and diagrams for a lot of different embroidery stitches and stitch combinations.
There are also ideas for making embellishments from your trims.
A rosette is a simple way to use ribbon.
You can also make fun roses out of rickrack.
I’m sure that all the beautiful photos will be inspiration for designing your own projects, but if you need specific instructions, there are also projects included. I have only included sneak peeks of the pictures, so you’ll have to see the book to get the full effect.
This is from a piece that uses part of an old doily as a vase and fills it with flowers and embellishments.
This piece has a fabric base that is layered with lace, ribbons and trims and embellished with threads, beads, buttons and ribbonwork flowers and leaves.
I know this book will be a great resource for any embroiderer. Even stitchers with a different style from Christen will find it to be a great resource of stitches and techniques.
Win the book! (now closed)
Today, Epida Studio is the host of the promotional tour. Please leave a comment on the post to enter your name into the drawing to win an ebook of Creative Embroidery, Mixing the Old with the New. The contest on my blog will run for 48 hours, beginning today, March 23, 2023 and ending on March 25, 2023. The winner will be chosen randomly and will be notified after the contest is over.
Congratulations to the winner: Tracy!
For more chances to win, you can visit these places too!
March 20: C&T Publishing Blog
March 21: Create Whimsy, Facebook
March 22: Kitty and Me Designs Canceled
March 23: Epida Studio
March 24: Sew Crazy For You
Stitchesnquilts, Facebook
March 25: Christen’s Creations
What a great resource to spark creativity with those bits and pieces we all have stashed! Thanks!
like the look of the book. have some stuff from my mother that I could use to make something with. Book has given me some ideas.
Elizabeth, your classes and patterns are great. I hope I win a copy of the book.
I love all of Christen Brown’s books and can’t wait to see this one! Thanks for all of the inspiration, Elizabeth!
Lots of good ideas fur using some of the collected treasures. Just right for me.
I love the beautiful stitches I have seen. I am rather old to learn but I would scower to the edges of each page to soak up the knowledge your offer of this wonderful book. Thank you for the opportunity to win such a wonderful book of learning.
Looks like an informative fun book!
Bev
Looks like a fabulous book. How great you got to review it. I was amazed at the thought of using ric rac to make roses. She is certainly really creative. Looks like one to definitely add to my collection. Thank you for posting about it.
Looks like an awesome resource.
It looks so pretty! Would be fun to play with different mediums instead of just thread in my embroidery.
This book looks like a great resource. I would enjoy adding it to my library.
This books looks amazing!
I love this kind of work and have been meaning to do more. This book looks like a keeper.
From the selection of clips you have included in this post, there are going to be many opportunities to try multiple embellishments on quilts or bags or handmade projects I’m working on. Thank you for sharing Elizabeth.
The ribbon flowers look really cute. I need to learn how to make those.
This looks like a great book. Thanks for sharing.
I love mixing vintage pieces in with my embroidery. This looks like a great resource book. I would love to read it and get inspired.
colleen
I have been saving all my bits of trim, beads, lace etc waiting to find some good creative ways to make use of them. “Creative embroidery” Mixing the old with the new by Christen Brown sounds like a great guide! Thank you!
I adore hand stitching! Would be a great book to have in my toolbox. Thanks for the chance!
I love to repurpose old linens! I could really use the information in this book!
This book has some new ideas for embroidery. If I don’t win I will have to look in to getting it. Thanks
Such fabulous and creative ideas. What a wonderful resource.
I have all of her books! This one looks just as fabulous! would love ti add ti my collection!❤️
This book looks amazing! Thanks for the review!
Looks like a valuable resource for any stitcher’s library. Especially for someone who never throws out those bits and pieces that might be useful one day!
the book looks like it’s full of wonderful ideas. I would love to learn from it. thank you for the opportunity to win the book. janet
Looks like a useful book,
I would love to use up all the bits and bobs of ribbons. this book would be a great help.
Wonderful ideas. The rickrack rose alone is worth the price of the book. It’s SO cute.
What a lovely book to inspire the use of those treasured bits. I started doing handwork last year after we lost a 3 year old great granddaughter so have been teaching myself to embroider and embellish my quilts. This book looks like one I need to add to my library. Thank you for the chance to win
Along with this book, I may finally be able to reduce my stash. Wait, who am I kidding 😳 Good luck to all.
I’ve been using vintage linen in my projects too and cant wait to see the suggestions and inspirational ideas in this book.
I have embroidered for years and have plenty of material to work with. I would love new ideas to use it up.
Looks like an excellent resource!
That looks like an interesting book. I really like the use of fabric and trim along with embroidery.
I have always wanted to do this kind of stuff, but didn’t know where to start. This looks like it would be a really helpful book!
This looks like a great book with lots of ideas.
I have just been learning to do Hardanger embroidery. I would love this book to add to my library/learning.
New follower, and so grateful for all I am learning and inspired by, and now for the fun of a chance to win a great resource!
Seems to be a beautiful and complete reference book.
Sounds like my kinda’ book – all bits and pieces. Time to get them out of storage!
Beautiful book!
Great ressources!
You spoke about bits and pieces and got me thinking about mine.
First to mind are linens from my grandmother, ties from a dear friend, and antique buttons I’ve collected over the years. This is just the tip of the iceberg!