Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

A comprehensive look at embroidery with useful segments of palettes choices and compositions. Nothing new and some projects would have been nice.

Fantastic!!! I devoured this book…it felt to rich and lush. Probably one of the best I have read. My favorite chapter was three, Decoding Design…it just does a great job to keeping it simple and taking you back to the basics. I reinvigorated my creative drive!!! Going to practice now!!!

The Art of Embroidery Design is the next book by artist Christi Johnson, featuring not just the mechanics of how to embroider, but all teh nuts and bolts to actually create your own designs from the ground up, starting with a blank sketchbook and a fear of drawing.

There are comprehensive sections of design theory, from colour and form and texture to old-school pencil and paper sketching and collaging to find designs and styles that are "you". There is a fascinating section on tradtional Indigenous embroideries from around the world, and spotlights on other artists and their design processes. As a reader, you get to create your own sampler as you work through the book, and there are projects and tutorials to get your ideas flowing.

This is NOT a project book to teach you to embroider a particular image; rather this is a reference guidebook for fibre and visual artists in all different mediums. I'll be coming back to this one again and again in my own art.

~Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for an advance copy of this book.

As someone who dabbles in embroidery, I have really enjoyed this book! I normally follow patterns, so this book was a refreshing opportunity to embrace creativity in my part-time hobby. I really found that this book did a wonderful job of including practical tips and new ways to approach foundational embroidery skills, while encouraging the reader to trust their sense of creativity.

Highly recommend this book for any level of embroiderer.

This is a wonderful reflection on textile art! Johnson provides advise on starting your journey with embroidery design. It is illustrated with inspiring images and punctuated design prompts. The artist profiles did a good job of providing depth to Johnson's advice. I left the book wishing for more in terms of exercises and project prompts.

Anyone looking for artistic inspiration should be able to find something helpful here.

For anyone that either enjoys or appreciates needle arts, this beautiful book is full of inspiration. The illustrations are a delight of color and express a richness of design that captures the eye. Full of information, tips, history and an almost meditative-like narrative, this book will enchant textile lovers and artists alike.

Christi Johnson's The Art of Embroidery Design is an impactful breath of fresh air filled with light bulb moments. My mom taught me how to embroider at the age of six and it has been a comfy constant in my life ever since. But even expert and experienced embroiderers can expect to find inspiration here. Gorgeous photographs and easy-to-follow instructions add to the piles of virtues.

This is not a book of patterns (there are many of those) but rather about taking inspiration from nature, fabrics and textures to create one's own patterns even if you can't draw (like me). Learn to love and incorporate imperfections and realize mistakes can lead to great things. But there's so much more such as the creation process, color, composition, untangling thread, samplers (my wheelhouse), supplies, influence of culture, shading, creating movement, and using geometry. Clear illustrations are given for specific stitches.

For some reason, freestyle has been on my radar only recently and now it's topping my list of new skills to master. This book gave me the encouragement and confidence I needed to dive in. My new project won't look contrived and has personal meaning. Seeing old things in new ways is thrilling!

So many spectacular photos and ideas jumped out at me, especially the stunning Peruvian appliqués, Uzbek dowry Suzani, using black to polish sections, and the most spectacular butterfly embroidery I've ever seen. I love how various artists and their projects are profiled. One of my favourite notions is if feels like you're making it up, you're on the right track. So much wisdom here.

My sincere thank you to Storey Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this stellar book. It has already enriched my life in unexpected ways and changed my embroidery perspectives.

I feel so inspired after reading this book! I've been drawn more to stitching than painting these days but felt unsure how to start. I really enjoyed the author's writing style and embroidery work, plus the featured artists were amazing as well. I read the book and then went back and immediately reread it. Such a gorgeous book! Thank you to the author and to NetGalley.

Whether you're a newbie or a pro with a needle, *The Art of Embroidery Design* by Christi Johnson will spark your creativity! Packed with approachable tips on everything from sketching your vision to playing with textures and colors, it feels like having a personal workshop at your fingertips. Plus, the book showcases stunning embroidery from around the world and inspiring artists to fuel your imagination. Get ready to stitch your way to masterpiece status! 🧵✨

This is a book for the educated creatives. It’s a valuable resource, beautifully constructed and passionately researched.

As an artist and designer, I can't help but appreciate and praise this book. Christi Johnson is a treasure. Like all well-researched books, she has case studies so you can read and see the examples of the techniques she’s practising. The standard of embroidery is high. This isn't a rainy Sunday activity with your grandmother but a refined guide to the art and design process of embroidery.

The photography in the book is beautiful. The construction of the book is beautiful. The curator has selected brilliant complimentary stock photography, and a very talented designer has brought this book together, someone with an eye for typography. If you only admire embroidery then this book is a strong contender as a coffee table book.

This book guides you through the whole process, from research to sketching and planning to making. If you're stuck for ideas, she has them, if you want inspiration, she has it. If you know what you want to do, but you're not sure how to achieve it, then she's got your back. From novice to expert, this book will satisfy. If you're looking to give a gift this book will delight you. I can not recommend it highly enough.

You've got to buy this book.

The Art of Embroidery Design is a great book for anyone who enjoys needlework and who might be thinking about creating their own patterns. It gives information and tips, and is a great way to dip your toes into design and decide if you want to do more with it or leave the designing to others and focus on the stitching alone.

I was excited to start this embroidery book as thought it would be full of patterns to try, whilst it is not this it is written as a 'workshop' and it is full of interesting ideas and theory on designing your own embroidery starting with how to create you own sketchbook and where to pull inspiration from.

It is full of brilliant, colourful photos of projects and dotted throughout are conversations with artists who use different styles of embroidery.

At the end of book are guides on where to start, plus stitches.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my eARC

Christi Johnson has done it again in this beautifully detailed book.

Leading on from her amazing work Mystical Stitches this new work is another great resource for stitchers new and old alike. The book looks at how to create and develop your own original designs.

Johnson takes the stitcher on a journey from starting a creative habit to a tour of embroideries from around the world. She then moves on to teaching you about line, texture and colour composition and how you can create your own images. Finally she teaches you how to find inspiration and put everything into practise to create a work of art.

The book is absolutely beautiful with stunning pictures of Johnson’s work and inspiration pieces. The text is thorough and well explained and will be an asset to stitchers looking for new and creative ways to embroider. This is definitely one I will be getting for my own collection.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

Whether you are an embroidery pro who's interested in learning the history behind the craft or a newcomer that wants to learn the difference between a running stitch and a chain stitch, this book is a great read. Johnson goes above and beyond with this book as she not only teaches basic stitches and patterns for newcomers, she also provides a number of self guided activities for newbies and allows crafters to explore their own creativity. If you want to become an embroidery master, you'll want this book by your side!

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette publishing for the advance copy.

This is a go and get it for your "making" category.

Christi Johnson, who also created the much-loved Mystical Stitches, has created a visually beautiful guide to stitching that fits that "low floor, high ceiling" category we often want in craft books. There are introductory activities for your beginners, and a terrific framework for introducing beginners to the idea of guided practice. Even if someone is just starting to stitch, they will find activities her to support them in creating their own designs. If you are running a craft club, a slow stitching group, or have people who are considering tackling a 100 Day project in 2025, this book would be brilliant to have in your collection.

Text is supported extremely well with pictures here. The idea of starting a sketchbook to help you capture designs (and a structure challenge for it if that works for you), will appeal to visual learners. The idea of taking those 2 D sketches (or photos) and capturing them in another form, adding your own colour and texture, will capture your stitchers who are looking for more of a challenge.

If you've got learners who are looking to align their making to times of year, or the elements around us, this book has them covered as well. One thing that I genuinely appreciated about the book is that you can engage with it at whatever level of mindfulness or skill that you choose. That's a gift.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette publishing for the e-arc.

There’s never enough motifs to learn! This is a delightful addition to any embroidery guru’s library. Lovely images and tasteful designs that can elevate even the beginners work. There’s something for every level and a lot of which can be translated to various other projects. If you have ever felt like you wanted a crash course in design principles this is it! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for access to this title! I loved it and would think any one in the art would appreciate it!

I really liked that this book wasn't just about giving ideas for stitches and design but also goes through the history of embroidery as an art as well as the entire process of design from embracing creativity to setting out the design and then actually stitching. There are also so many great ideas for how to combine different stitches to make elaborate designs. As somewhat of a novice in embroidery I was amazed by how designs that I always thought looked impossible were actually made up of pretty simple stitches. I will definitely refer back to this book as I work on new projects! I also think this would be a great book for high school art classrooms to assist students who want to explore more textile arts rather than drawing, painting, or ceramics.

Beautiful book full of inspiring project, and creative wisdom. This goes beyond a typical how to craft book and let's you explore your own creativity which is something that I adore.

As a seriously keen, hobby Embroiderer, I was instantly drawn to this book.

I loved it as it is full of brilliant, inspirational ideas to encourage the reader to become more confident in choosing materials, colours, textures to create individual designs.

I picked up many ideas and tips from the book so cannot wait to start having a dabble myself.

Lots of clear photos demonstrating numerous techniques. A real must, go to book for embroidery enthusiasts.

Thank you netgalley.co.uk for allowing me to preview the book.

#netgalley.co.uk #netgalley #embroidery #book #crafting #inspiring

This is a stunning guide that really showcases the artistry and creativity behind embroidery. While there is a section at the end of the book on stitch methods, it's more of inspiration than a tutorial book. It gives a lot of tips on bringing your designs to life.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this book!