Yumiko Higuchi

Simply Stitched with Embroidery
Embroidery Motifs for Purses and More
by Yumiko Higuchi
This is a book I requested and the review is voluntary.
I always wanted to learn how to do embroidery on little purses but this book shows how to start from the beginning and make many various sized small purses and stitch multiple cute little designs on them. No sewing machine needed to make these! It uses get instructions and photos to show the reader how to make the purses and stitches. Very nice! Another book to add to my buy-someday list!… (more)

This embroidery book is great for both beginners and experienced embroiderers. The patterns vary from cute and hip to more classy and traditional crewel-type designs, and many straddle that divide very well. Many can be repeated for an all-over pattern, and the author gives examples of this. The month-to-month idea is interesting, and provides a framework for the book. There are florals, leaves, stylized designs botanical designs, some people (skiiers, swimmers), a few animals, a few Christmas designs. It is a nice variety and items can be mixed and matched.

For beginning stitchers, this book features full-color photos of different stitches and text explanations, an explanation of how to transfer patterns, and a fabric suggestion (I would have liked to see more info on fabric choice). I would also have liked to see an example of how to enlarge the patterns, but most experienced stitchers likely have their favorite techniques (I do!), and most beginners are unlikely to jump in over their heads or can figure something out themselves.

There are beautiful full-color photos of all of the patterns, stitched--and several are shown in both a multi-colored color scheme and a single-color color scheme. There are also examples shown of how these patterns might be used on everyday items: a hat, tote bag, apron, hanky. And the usual display pieces. Higuchi shows a method of mounting these pieces on wood panels, which I am completely unfamiliar with and very interested in.

The patterns themselves are in the back of the book. They are done well, with nice thick lines, which are perfect for tracing.
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Thank you to NetGalley and Roost Books for providing me with an electronic galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.… (more)