Learning how to embroider and cross stitch has never been simpler! Like having a personal instructor at your side, this beginner’s guide teaches everything you need to know about a variety of hand stitching techniques. This beginner’s guide, by embroidery professional Linda Wyszynski, uses easy-to-follow, photo-illustrated instruction to teach you the basics of classic embroidery, crewel, and cross-stitch techniques. In no time, you can use these methods to create beautiful, personalized designs. After a review of equipment and supplies, fabrics, threads, patterns, and stitching basics, jump right in with these step-by-step projects: Creative embroidery – Embroidered Jacket Collar and Embellished Pillow Case Crewel – Paisleys and Pearls Pillow and Touch of Gold Fedora Hat Cross-Stitch – Violet Blossoms Candle Band and Springtime Journal There’s a first time for everything. Enjoy the journey and achieve success with First Time Embroidery and Cross-Stitch. Each book in the First Time series distills how-to guidance and advice from an expert on a specific topic into targeted step-by-step instruction geared toward the absolute beginner.

In First Time Felting, felting and fiber expert Ruth Lane teaches a class for absolute beginners on three classic methods of felting. Start by learning about the various types of wool fibers used for felting, preparing them for the process, and simple methods for dyeing. Next, discover the basic supplies and techniques for wet felting, nuno felting, and needle felting. You’ll use those essential skills to make fun, easy projects—artworks, embellished fashions, three-dimensional figures, and more—skills you’ll turn to again and again to create your own original pieces!

All the basics of this popular and time-tested method of embroidery are compiled here in a full-color, easy-to-understand format. The introduction covers tools and general techniques, while a series of questions and answers outlines all the stitching basics, from cross-stitching with more than one color of floss to creating specialty stitches. Twenty delightful projects, geared to the beginner, will help you master each skill. Make a Bless This Home sign with a fundamental cross-stitch. Embellish a Native American-inspired Lone Wolf embroidery with beading. As you work through the chapters, the knowledge you gain will build upon itself, eventually enabling you to tackle any cross-stitch project.

Brimming with over 300 botanical motifs, this wonderful resource will provide inspiration and instructions for embroidery artists and flower ladies everywhere. This collection features designs including flowers, ferns, succulents, leaves, bees and garden scenes. The books includes basic embroidery instruction for stitches and transferring designs onto fabric. Original designs and clear instructions make this book a must have for any embroidery enthusiast's library.

“Treats all the basics of cross-stitch—except the actual sewing...presented in 20-question formats, with over-size charts, graphs, and directions. Designs are simple, featuring animals and nature.... [with a] gallery showcasing the work of nine needlepoint artists....Metric conversion charts appended.”—Booklist. “Public libraries—even the smallest—cannot go wrong purchasing this title.”—Library Journal.

Thread Folk: A Modern Makers Book of Embroidery Projects and Artist Collaborations is a modern refresh of an age-old craft. Author Libby Moore teaches basic stitches and how to choose materials, and shares original patterns with easy-to-remove perforated pages. Thread Folk Includes: • 15 embroidery projects • Step-by step instructions & modern patterns • 14 different stitches, from straight stitch to lazy daisy • Techniques to stitch on clothes, shoes, tote bags, and pillows Thread Folk also features Artist Collaborations, a series of projects based on the curated artwork of several distinctive, talented artists, including clothing designer Audrey Smit, and illustrators Alli Koch and Lauren Merrick. Materials Used: • Thread (Embroidery Floss or Metallic Thread) • Fabric (Quilting Cotton or Calico) • Embroidery Hoop • Embroidery Needle • Embroidery Scissors • Needle Minder

Hilda Satt Polacheck's family emigrated from Poland to Chicago in 1892, bringing their old-world Jewish traditions with them into the Industrial Age. Throughout her career as a writer and activist, Polacheck (1882-1967) never forgot the immigrant neighborhoods, the markets, and the scents and sounds of Chicago's West Side. Here, in charming and colorful prose, she recounts her introduction to American life and the Hull-House community, her friendship with Jane Addams, her marriage, her support of civil rights, woman suffrage, and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and her experiences as a writer for the WPA.

The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Hand Embroidery and Needlework A Simple, Handy Pocket Reference Guide with Step-by-Step Instructions Over 65 Photographs for Learning Over 15 Stitches: with 7 FREE Patterns! Have you ever wanted to learn how to do hand-stitched embroidery, but didn't know where to start? Have you always wanted to tap into the ancient art of hand embroidery but thought it was too hard? In this simple, easy-to-understand beginner's guide, I should you all of the absolutely necessary essentials of how to do hand embroidery. In these pages, you will learn the basics of the vast world of embroidery. Needle and thread are a part of our collective experience as humans. Embroidery is a skill we pass on to others, and the items we make tie families and friends together. The matriarchs in my family have been my rock. They first showed me the magic of hand embroidered items- how special a handmade piece became when it was embossed by hand, with love. My mother, grandmother, and great aunt instilled their love of thread in me. I hope to share that love with you through this book! Imagine the extra special gifts you can bestow on your friends and family with hand-stitched embroidery. You, too, can leave a lasting legacy that has been time-tested and worn through the ages. In this book, I show you exactly how to get started on your journey of embroidery. I composed this book with an audience in mind of the absolute first time beginner, so the steps are easy to follow. I have also included over 40 time-tested tips and tricks from my many years of crafting embroidered pieces. I illustrated the stitches and each step along the way with over 65 pictures for you to follow along. It's like I am sitting in your living room right beside you, instructing you personally! In this book, we will talk about the history of needlework crafts and embroidery. It's important that you truly understand the weight of this line of crafting. You will learn: What materials you will need Advice for fabric choices Thread selection tips Hoops and frames selection What incidental tools you may need Preparations to take How to trans your design The very fundamentals of embroidery Instruction on threading a needle (it's not that obvious!) That was just the FIRST part of this amazing guidebook! In this second half, we will talk about the actual stitches. I give you easy to follow, step-by-step instructions for how to complete the essential primary stitches. Running Stitch Holbein Stitch Pattern Darning Back Stitch Stem Stitch/Outline Stitch Long Stem Stitch Scroll Stitch Chain Stitch Blanket/Buttonhole Stitch Appliqu� Filling Stitches Satin Stitch Long and Short Stitch Detached Stitches Cross Stitch Knots French Knot We will also discuss how to care for your embroidered pieces. Then comes the BEST part! I have included 7 simple "practice patterns" for FREE just for you to test your new skills! As a BONUS When you purchase the paperback book from Amazon, you can download the eBook version absolutely FREE! You may want to strongly consider this, because the eBook version contains all of the photographs in FULL COLOR. I hope this book touches you with a love of embroidery, just like my grandma shared with me. Happy Stitching!