Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

The Art of Embroidery Design offers an insightful workshop to help readers develop their own creative visions, as well as provides useful technique instructions and a broad swath of inspiration from other embroidery artists and historical embroidery traditions.

This is a book about embroidery, but really it's a book about creativity. While Christi Johnson offers resources on key stitches, setting up your embroidery fabric, and other essential embroidery techniques, as well as essential theories on the visual art/design process such as color and texture, the heart of this book focuses on exercising your creative muscle. The activities in this book provide a framework for readers to begin their own creative practices and really think outside the box in ways I believe can be applied to a range of creative pursuits. As someone who enjoys not only embroidery, but also knitting, crochet, watercolors, and creative writing, I felt like many of the exercises in this book were leading me toward a more holistic source of creative inspiration within myself; I was as equally excited to pick up a needle by the end of this book as I was to pick up a pen. Though I think some of the best artists in history possess a measure of inherent talent, I also think this book is an absolute testament to the idea that creativity and creative taste can be learned; it's all about building a knowledge base and establishing a practice for using that foundation to create new things, and Christi Johnson is an excellent guide for this process, especially as it applies specifically to the art of embroidery. I will definitely be revisiting this book whenever my creativity requires a bit of a guided jump start.

Written for all levels of ability, this book gave the reader insight into new embroidery designs.

I enjoyed reading this, as this is my latest hobby.

4.5-5/5 Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
I was excited when this book showed up as an available ARC, as I love hand craft books, and I was interested to see one that dealt with design.
I'd recommend this book for people who have had at least a little experience with hand stitching, although there's a basic stitch dictionary included.
The author introduces a number of ideas and techniques for stitchers interested in creating or adapting designs into projects that will help them learn new techniques or design a project for a special purpose.
The step-by-step 'workshop' approach is easy to follow, and helps channel the information in the book into manageable lessons, rather than overwhelming the reader with a knowedge dump - for instance, color theory and design composition are dealt with separately, so if you like process, and are interested in expanding your creative processes, you should like this book a lot.
The lovely illustrations of works by other artists is quite inspiring, and showcase a lot of different techniques - I really like that the author shares different styles that aren't her own work, and from a variety of cultures, as a way of demonstrating how much breadth textile art (particularly non-Western) really has.
Writing this has convinced me that I need to buy a copy!

This was archived before I got to it, but I went out and bought a copy. It's really good! Decent instructions, and some great ideas for inspiration.

This is such a fun and interesting book. I've been embroidering for some time, but it was never something I knew a lot about. I learned the basics in primary school and just used what I knew. But there is so much more to this hobby.

The book is very colorful and has a lot of different examples of what embroidery looked in the past and what people created in the current times. Throughout the book are different tasks and prompts to think about. It's not just about creating but also about getting creative without using the needle. In the end of the book were also the basic stitches as well as some more advanced one. I liked that the different stitches were already mentioned throughout the book, and you could see them in cooperated into various designs.

I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves creative hobbies. It doesn't matter if you already know something about embroidery or not, this book has something for everyone!

Thank you to Netgalley and Storey Publishing for this EARC!

Beautiful book, with lots of great idea’s in.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

If you’re an embroidery enthusiast looking to develop your own creative voice, "The Art of Embroidery Design" by Christi Johnson is an inspiring, visually stunning guide. Johnson structures the book like a workshop, breaking down the art of embroidery into digestible steps. You’ll learn everything from choosing colors and experimenting with textures to working with line weights to create depth. What stands out most is the way the book encourages readers to build their confidence and think beyond patterns—inviting you to create something truly your own.

The book includes vibrant photos, not just of Johnson’s work but also historical embroidery examples from around the globe—Mexico, India, Peru, China, and Nigeria. Johnson also profiles contemporary artists, showcasing the many ways embroidery can evolve into a deeply personal form of self-expression.

Throughout the book, Johnson provides exercises to help you explore your creativity, like sketching and stitching samplers. The activities are practical and designed to help you experiment with shapes, textures, and techniques while developing your unique style. It’s clear that the goal here is to spark your creativity and give you the tools to bring your ideas to life.

While the basics of embroidery—hoop setup, stitches, and so on—are included at the end, this book is less about the technical how-to and more about encouraging artistic exploration. If you already have some stitching experience and are ready to take things to the next level, this book is an excellent resource. If embroidery sparks your curiosity, this book might just be the nudge you need to pick up a needle and thread and start stitching something entirely your own.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I always love getting inspiration for embroidery. Christi Johnson's designs have something of freedom about them, which my own never do. So it was fun to try some! The book also goes into colour theory, density, direction and composition. It is almost technical and I loved learning about it!

The book does not include embroidery patterns or designs but rather design prompts. I really like the creative freedom that comes with these prompts. The book does give instructions for the basic stitches which can help those who just started embroidery!

Book Review: The Art of Embroidery Design by Christi Johnson

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I just finished reading The Art of Embroidery Design: A Workshop for Developing Your Own Original Stitching by Christi Johnson, and I can't help but rave about it! As someone who has dabbled in embroidery but never really felt confident in my design skills, this book was exactly what I needed to take my stitching game to the next level.

From the get-go, Christi Johnson sets the stage for an engaging and accessible workshop experience right from the comfort of your own home. Unlike many embroidery books that merely hand you patterns to copy, this gem encourages readers to unleash their creativity. It’s truly refreshing! Johnson artfully guides you through establishing a creative practice with helpful sketching and stitching exercises that really build your confidence.

One of the things I loved most about this book is how it breaks down the design process into manageable steps. Whether you're developing your vision, choosing a color palette, or learning how to create depth with line weight variations, each aspect feels approachable and exciting. The emphasis on achieving different textural effects is particularly inspiring; I was surprised at how much variety I could create with just a few techniques!

The visuals in The Art of Embroidery Design are absolutely stunning. The pages are filled with vibrant photographs of Johnson's own work, alongside historical examples from talented artisans around the world. It’s like a visual feast that showcases the rich tapestry of embroidery traditions from Mexico to Nigeria and beyond. And let me tell you, the profiles of contemporary embroidery artists included in the book are just as inspiring—it's like having a backstage pass to the world of innovative stitching!

This book isn't just informative; it's a treasure trove for anyone interested in embroidery. The layout is beautifully designed, making it a joy to flip through, and the stitch guide is both clear and comprehensive. Each stitch is accompanied by detailed pictures that show exactly how they should look, making it an invaluable resource for both beginners and seasoned stitchers alike.

In short, The Art of Embroidery Design is so much more than just an instructional guide—it's an invitation to explore your own artistic potential. I can’t recommend it enough, especially as a thoughtful gift for all the embroidery enthusiasts in your life. If you’re looking to elevate your embroidery skills while tapping into your creativity, look no further. This book is a true jewel in the world of embroidery literature!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

This is a beautiful book.

Far from the usual embroidery pattern book, it takes the form of a workshop to help spark creativity, guiding the reader to seek sources of inspiration all around, from nature to history to architecture, and encouraging you to explore elements of your heritage, tradition, and culture, to help you develop a style all of your own.

It is filled to the brim with gorgeous examples of traditional embroidery from all around the world, as well as beautiful examples from Christi Johnson herself, and profiles of several other fibre artists, showcasing their work.

The creative exercises would be equally suited to absolute beginners to embroidery design (me), and the more seasoned designer who is looking for new ideas. I can imagine coming back to the book over and over to find fresh inspiration.

There is a comprehensive stitch library at the back of the book. This in itself could make for a beautiful sampler project.

I am truly thankful to Netgalley, and Storey Publishing, for giving me the opportunity to review Christi Johnson's stunning book in advance of publication. I am absolutely inspired by everything about it, and will certainly be looking to buy a physical copy to keep and leaf through whenever the mood takes me.

This was such a beautiful book! A must for any already in love with the joy of embroidery, or if you’re just starting your new venture. The photographs are simply stunning - bursting with life, colour, and inspiration. There’s enough information to get a beginner going, with helpful how-tos at the end of the book, and enough theory and inspire for the more experienced.
Would definitely recommend.

With thanks to the publisher, and to NetGalley, for an e-ARC to read and review.

The Art of Embroidery Design is focused on teaching you how to tap into your own creativity rather than telling you how to replicate a design.
I have never read an embroidery book like this one. It is like a self-paced class in artistic embroidery.
The art inside is beautiful and inspiring.
I also read and loved Christi Johnson's book Mystical Stitches and find this to be a wonderful companion to that work. You'll learn about different elements of design like color and texture. Each section will have exercises to get you hands-on experience with the concepts. Artists are profiled that will have you in awe with the photos of their work.
This book will give you a foundation to begin to make art with thread. This book has opened my mind to all of the artistic possibilities of embroidery.

As an intermediary embroiderer, I loved this book. I've pre-ordered it to add to my library. The pictures were beautiful and inspiring. I appreciated that Johnson is teaching you how to tap into your own creativity, not just copy a pattern. I struggle in this area and look forward to utilizing her workshops to improve my skills. Great stitch references at the back and material/tools suggestions. Highly recommend for any fabric artist who wants to learn how to hone their creativity.

For needlewomen at an advanced level, The Art of Embroidery Design lives up to its name. This book offers a wide variety of offerings in one place. Christi Jordan includes a short introduction to embroidery for beginners at the back of the book. Jordan provides step-by-step instructions on how to create your own patterns. This book is definitely not for beginners. In spite of the fact that I've never embroidered before, I enjoyed browsing through the book. Jordan's work is absolutely phenomenal. With years of embroidery experience, Christi Jordan has become an embroidery expert. Her extensive knowledge and passion for the craft is evident throughout the book. She shares techniques and insights gained from her personal and professional journey. Jordan's dedication to the craft has made her a respected figure among embroidery enthusiasts.

A good book for beginners and beyond. This book teaches the reader about technique, colour and texture. And how to incorporate these into their projects uniquely. Quite an enjoyable as it wasn't just a manual but rather a vividly written book from one enthusiast to those who enjoy embroider as well.

Very beautiful and inspirational! I loved the cultural history woven in. I can’t wait to own this and reference it for my own projects.

The images and colors are stunning! I love that the book has instructions on creating practices and that the inspiration is tied to culture and history as well. The artist profiles are a cool way to illustrate how different individuals create and design. This is an amazing resource, not just for learning to embroider but to create a creative practice and make art that is authentic to you. I plan to purchase a physical copy for myself so that I can work through it slowly!

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

This book doesn't focus on how to embroider (although there is plenty of information on that) it focusses on how to design, from the use of a design journal to where we can gather inspiration. I found this workshop style book very inspiring, particularly in the way it highlighted a range of designers and different embroidery styles. It is not prescriptive. the goal here is clearly to inspire, to assist and to provide confidence to the stitcher. I haven't picked up my embroidery needle since the end of the pandemic, and this book has me thinking about it. it's a beautifully illustrated and photographed volume and would be a lovely addition to any crafter's library.

As someone who has been embroidering for years, I was thrilled to dive into The Art of Embroidery Design by Christi Johnson. However, I’ll admit that my embroidery projects have slowed down over the past few years as my interest waned. Picking up this book, though, reignited my passion for the craft.

Johnson’s approach is both accessible and inspiring. While the book is absolutely perfect for beginners, it’s just as enriching for seasoned embroiderers like me. The detailed guidance and creative techniques felt like a breath of fresh air, offering new perspectives that even experienced stitchers can appreciate.

One of the standout features of this book is its stunning imagery. Each page is filled with vibrant, detailed photos that showcase not only the designs but also the artistry behind them. The visuals alone were enough to stir my creativity and get me sketching ideas for new projects.

Thanks to The Art of Embroidery Design, I’ve not only rediscovered my love for embroidery but also gained the motivation to dive into new designs and techniques. Highly recommend!

Really lovely beginners embroidery design book. The diversity of examples puts this ahead of other books on the topic.