The Stitch Bible: A comprehensive guide to 225 embroidery stitches and techniques

5 stars

The sequences for stitching are not always clear. Sometimes a step or two are left out which should have shown whatled to completion of a specific technique.. There is unfortunate poor use of grammar and bad English in many places. Something I find quite often in instructional texts, an author knows how to do something well but does a poor job of teaching it. Trying out some of the stitches with fabric and trying to do some of the embroidery samples will make some stitch sequences become clear. At times the photos also had no clear point or purpose and were distracting rather than helpful, or did not show enough detail enlarged. Clarity is veryimportant in an instructional book for those with beginning, intermediate, and advanced embroidery skills. The weatlh of material presented is good and gives this book stars, but confusing English sentences, unclear stitch sequences with final steps left out, and photos with an unclear purpose took stars away. The book still has much value, which will become more apparent after I try some of the embroidery exercises and figure out how to do the stitches. Just be warned that using some sections of this book are a real difficult struggle and could have been written better.

Purchased this book for the blackwork information... won't know until I actually start my project if it's any good.

Frankly I got this book based on the cover because it didn't give you the option to look inside and the library didn't have it. It's just such a good looking book and I love blackwork:) But I was slightly disappointed with the contents. It's called a "Bible" but the selection of stitches is by no means exhaustive. It's more like "your little bit of everything" collection of stitches. I think the bird is probably the best project in there. The stitches are drawn, not photographed.So if you want a great stitch reference get a used Complete Illustrated Stitch Encyclopedia right here on Amazon.It's not as stylish but I haven't seen anything more complete and interesting than that.

Excellent, informative, instructional tome! Everything is clear and easy to understand, and easy to look up for reference. Brief historical backgrounds are given regarding the different styles. 17 projects within are to help you practice. The sketch-like bird on the cover was what caught my eye, and now that I understand how it was done, I am inspired to branch out and possibly create my own patterns using the stitches in this book. Indeed, this is a Stitch Bible!Sections are as such:Getting StartedFreestyleHardangerBlackworkCrewelworkGoldworkPulled ThreadCanvasworkDrawn Thread(Templates and Charts)

This book is a good overall guide to everything you need to know about general cross stitch and introductory embroidery. I was looking for more in-depth information about blackwork -- the material here is fine, but I want to see more detail.

Purchased this book as I have been interested in learning hand embroidery and was looking for something a little more modern than books offering projects with geese and flowers. Very thorough explaination of many stitches with large, clear illustrations and detailed instructions. The sample projects, while not cutting edge, are interesting but not overly fussy. Definitely a keeper for the needle arts library.

I am impressed with "The Stitch Bible" - it contains many illustrations, larger ones I can really see, with an occasional project. Different stitches and techniques are broken into chapters. Shows vastly more stitches and fewer projects, which is exactly what I like. The book is very high quality, and covers an introductory section to aide beginners, then takes in higher skills. I've never seen GOLDWORK - with a couple small patterns. Marvelous!

i bought this particularly for the blackword section but all the others are just as good with detailed instructions for the stitches and projects. well worth buying.

Great book well written with lots of detail. I purchased this book for additional information on blackwork. This book contained more detail, in the one chapter on Blackwork, than in the whole books that I purchased before where the entire book is on Blackwork only. This book is well worth the money.

A plethora of stitches, as recommended to me by a dear friend.Cant wait to explore and try some new stitches

Very informative and very creative ways to learn about and use a variety of stitches in a variety of ways. Very clear and easy to follow instructions.

Read the revives and seemed like an excellent book. It is, I'm a complete novice and it explains each stitch and I can't wait to get started! x