There are some really great ideas in this book. Just like a bedazzler I'm going to emroider everything I can get my hands on! Thank you to the author Christi Johnson and Storey Publishing for the book to review and the wonderful project inspiration.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The views and opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Some good ideas and techniques shown. Good for those who do have an interest in embroidery and want to use symbols they can create on things themselves.

This is a great book for a beginner as it contains lots of information to get you started with hand embroidery. With clear diagrams and instructions it shows you how to do the stitches. It then provides you with a host of images you can use to create your own projects. There is a lot of detail in the book and it’s filled with information for both beginner and accomplished crafters. You can tell a great deal of care has gone into making it. I definitely recommend this gorgeous book for anyone interested in hand embroidery. Thank you #netgalley

Christi Johnson's Mystical Stitches is a really nice general embroidery book, with a meditative/mystical twist. Johnson goes over the basics of embroidery for those of us still learning to master the basics of needlework, and then discusses the meditative ways you can embroider, the types of designs and symbols that show up in various mystic traditions, and then breaks down individual projects and gives guidelines for more detailed patterns you may wish to try out. I like the style, and even if I'm not super mystical myself I think there's something nice about grounding yourself in doing something "analog" like needlework. The interspersed suggestions on breathing, meditation, and stretches are also nice - valuable for any crafter who needs to remember to take breaks and ward off hand cramps!

Mystical Stitches drew me in from the start with its beautiful and enticing cover. Who wouldn’t want to embroider something after seeing that? The book is full of expert stitching instruction for the beginner, but even an expert will learn from the author’s instructions. It is full of lovely designs, mostly spiritual and new age, and some I would consider attempting myself. It leans heavily on the spiritual side of creating, and there are many references to talismans, mythology, astrology, meditation, and even yoga. Not quite the embroidery tutorial for me, it does have many beautiful designs. It could have been better had it included some patterns. The right audience will enjoy using this well-thought-out tutorial. I thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read it. I gave it three and a half stars rounded down to three.

I really like this book, not only has it got some fabulous embroidery designs, but it incorporates the slow movement in all things we do, and how we can gain peace, energy and self empowerment in the simple art of stitching.
Christi Johnson describes herself as "an all out stitchery witch", and many of the symbols and style in her designs are reminiscent of the 60s and 70s. but her designs are geared to relaxation, enjoyment and slow stitching.
Well written with lots of information and easy to follow directions

Such a good and informative book!

Great explanation of how to do the stitches before you get the unique stitches to the book - I can't wait to try this out in my next project.

This is mystical in the astrological sense, which isn't what I expected going in. However they are beautiful designs, which are explained with very clear and detailed tutorials

Let me just start off by saying what a beautiful book this is. I enjoyed the way it was written, the layout and the photos but as a complete novice, I think I was expecting more in the way of actual patterns.

I will absolutely use this book when I’m more confident in what I’m doing, I just adore anything Mystical and this book didn’t let me down. It also inspired me in my other craft hobbies (knitting & crochet).

This will be a great addition to my craft bookshelves.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Brilliant book, perfect for encouraging new or experienced embroidery artists and inspiring new ideas. I'm a beginner to the craft but as a long time cross stitcher and sewist I'm ready pretty handy with a needle and thread, but wanted to learn more about the stitches and get some ideas. This book gives me all this and more. I love the bohemian, ephemeral style of the designs and think this will be a firm favourite that I'll turn to again and again.
Beautiful photography, clear instructions and helpful guides.

Embroidery has been around for centuries, and this book takes a look at how artistic symbolism can help us to manifest change in our personal lives. This book suggests that creativity is a jumping block for magic, and introduces us to the idea that imagery is the basis for spiritual and inner communication. I loved the idea that intention is tied to our subconscious mind, which prefers to speak in symbols, and that by working with images and patterns we can boost our spiritual power. This is something I will take with me and continue to think about as I create art.

This was a wonderful read, thank you to NetGalley for sending me a free ARC!

I love the designs in this book!

I have always found that crafting things helps me to find peace and it is nice to see a book that goes along with that idea and goes into much more depth.

The designs are beautiful, the photographs are amazing and this book will help to encourage your mystical, creative self to keep creating wonderful things.

This beautiful book is a great addition to an embroidery book collection for someone who is looking to add a little magic to their embroidery. While I normally do hoop work and this focuses more on clothing, I still find the designs and their meanings to be quite inspiration. It also made me want to try sewing designs on clothing, which I probably will shortly. It has clear and concise instructions for not only the common stitches, but also the designs themselves. If you've never embroidered before and are looking for a magical way to get into the art, this book is for you.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book in return for an honest review.

This was a very interesting ARC to read as I really like embroidery (it is something that I am steadily learning) and I wanted to see what the mystical element was. I found this very simple to follow and I found the spiritual aspect interesting to read about as I had never really considered a spiritual or mystical element to embroidery!

'Rating: 5⭐
Would I Read It Again? Yes
Would I Recommend it? Yes

This will be a great resource for those who are in the target audience, but you might want to preview it first to see if that's you. Johnson does a great job of showing you how to do lots of kinds of stitches and shows many wonderful designs. The whole book has a new age spiritual tone to it and it's definitely designed for those who want to incorporate that sort of belief system into their crafts. It also doesn't provide patterns as much as just a photo of each design and then a drawing telling you what stitches to use. There are a lot of really great patterns and I thought of getting it as a gift for one of my grown kids who does embroidery and loves nature patterns like the mushrooms in here, but she's not Wiccan or Pagan and I also don't think a lot of the designs would be a great fit for her aesthetic. The instructional section is very helpful though, and there are color photos of all of the designs.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

#MysticalStitches #NetGalley
Special thanks to NetGalley and Storey publishing for providing me with ARC.

I love Stitches so much, i get this hobbie from my mom, she loved it so much that she made a lot of things in our home like tablecloths.

This book is so good that provides me with a lot of ideas, i want to try it.

I didn't realise that this was mystical in the astrological sense. I went in thinking maybe it would have some zodiac signs but there's a lot about meditation, chakras and talismans which wasn't what I wanted.
However the actual stitches and patterns themselves were beautiful. I loved the botanical and animal spirit stitches. And I'm definitely going to embroider the universe on the back of my jacket.

Never really gave it a thought, but needlework, of any kind, is rather meditative, isn't it! I cross stitch mostly, but also do a little embroidery here and there, so this book looked interesting. It really is a magical work! Christi Johnson has put into print some fine ideas and observations! Easy read, lots of great ideas, and, of course, wonderful suggestions and observations! Kudos to you, Christi! Love the photos, too! So creative!

This is such a refreshing book to read. giving the reader the confidence to try embroidery and not feel constrained. There is a strong emphasise on the relaxing aspect of craft and producing hand made objects, as well as the importance of symbols. There are plenty of examples as well as practical information on materials required. At a time of lockdown, when people are turning to craft and mindfulness, this book is perfect.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book can be summed up in one word, stunning! I loved the layout and as silly as it is I loved the the color palette being wrapped around sticks. Definitely something I plan on doing it was so pretty.

This Book is broken down in techniques, supplies and embroidery techniques, but my favourite part was the mythical section, folklore, planets and moon phrases.

This is great for anybody in all honesty from beginners to a more seasoned stitchers. Even if you don’t partake in the craft it would make a wonderful “coffee table book”.

The one thing I wish that was included was a few templates.

Thank you to the publishers for the proof copy