Looking for a special gift for the stitcher in your life? Take a look at these beautiful and modern embroidery books, the perfect stocking stuffer for this Christmas. Each book is packed with modern and easy-to-follow designs to stitch, from cute woodland creatures to floral masterpieces, there's something for every style.
Our team has specially selected each of these embroidery books because they really stand out to us and think they would make wonderful gifts for any budding embroiderer. These books will help to improve skills but also inspire creativity and true love of embroidery. Why not get one for yourself to help you relax after a long day?
If you love embroidery and are looking for more stitchy gifts, try these tapestry kits for beginners, the perfect stocking stuffers, needle minders. If you are looking for getting started with embroidery and would like some online resources head over to our embroidery for beginners article and this useful guide to embroidery stitches.
11 modern embroidery books
1. Thread Folk: A Modern Makers Book of Embroidery Projects and Artist Collaborations: 2 by Libby Moore
This gorgeous book is ideal for the modern stitcher, it is jam-packed full of fresh up-to-date designs and patterns. You'll find this book is suitable for both the beginner stitcher and will also appeal to those more experienced because of the lovely designs it contains. Thread Folk also includes collaborations with artists, who have come together to create some truly unique pieces, which would accentuate any modern homes' decor. Whether you are purchasing for yourself to inspire your next project, or you are gifting it to the stitcher in your life, we can assure you one thing, you won't be disappointed.
2. Hoop Art by Cristin Morgan
In this book, you'll find a unique collection of embroidery motifs featuring vibrant colors for hours of stitching fun. A variety of abstract and geometric motifs, botanical patterns, classic hand-lettered styles, and many more will inspire your stitching in new and creative ways. This book is ideal for beginners as it teaches the basics of stitching, but will also appeal to the experienced stitcher due to the delightful designs inside. This book is the ideal stocking stuffer for that special someone!
3. Embroidery Stitches Step-by-Step by Lucinda Ganderton
One for those looking for a comprehensive guide to embroidery stitches, the book is a must-have for anyone serious about embroidery, it contains over 200 stitches (yes there really is that many) and a guide on how to do each one. For each stitch, you will find a step-by-step guide with photos to easily show you exactly how to stitch. Not only does this book help with stitches but also gives advice on what thread, needles or fabric will work with which stitches. This book is an invaluable tool for beginners, and full of ideas for the accomplished stitcher.
4. Garden Stitch Life: 50 Embroidery Motifs & Projects to Grow Your Inspiration by Kazuko Aoki
We all know someone who adores gardening, and what better inspiration for embroidery than nature? Packed full of gorgeous nature-inspired designs, from mushrooms to wildflowers, this wonderful book would be the ideal gift for the nature-lover in your life. Find yourself immersed in the enchanted world of garden embroidery where Aoki will show you the techniques and inspiration behind these wonderful stitches.
5. Pet Portrait Embroidery by Michelle Staub
Always wanted to paint your pooch? Well now you can, with thread! This modern guide to pet embroidery contains 20 customizable projects that you can stitch into stunningly realistic pet portraits. In this book, you'll also find a full guide and top tips on embroidery painting techniques, useful for the novice to this style of stitching. This type of stitching is more advanced so might not be suitable for a complete beginner but someone looking to try another style of embroidery.
6. Dried Flower Embroidery by Olga Prinku
For a modern twist on embroidery try this dried flower embroidery guide by using real flowers you can create these natural masterpieces. In the book, you'll find everything you need from beginning to end, from learning how to dry flowers all the way through to framing your finished work. You can work on 16 projects from this book, ranging from home decor to clothing, you won't be short of inspiration. This would be the perfect gift for anyone looking to start a new hobby, who loves interior design and flowers!
7. Cat Lady Embroidery by Applemints
From our experience in the crafting world, cats and crafters are often cut from the same cloth, we've found almost all crafters love cats! We just know this book will appeal to the embroidery fans out there. You could stitch a new cat every day for just over a year with this fabulous book which contains 380 ways to stitch a cat - if you don't find a design that looks like your cat we'll be surprised! Purrfect for beginners, this book contains easy-to-follow instructions and simple, quick designs making it a satisfyingly fun book for newbies.
8. Alphabet Embroidery Booklet by Stitch School
This mini-book is the perfect reference book for any keen stitcher, it contains an A-Z of embroidery stitches, you might even discover some stitches you've never heard of. Each page is beautifully illustrated to show you exactly how the stitches are done. This book would make a lovely stocking stuffer this Christmas for all those embroidery fans out there.
Buy Alphabet Embroidery Booklet on Not on the Highstreet
9. Cute Critters: An Embroidery Pattern Compendium by Jessica Long
Oh, how adorable are these embroidery animals? We can't get enough of them and want to stitch each and every one! This book is packed with 30 creatures to stitch and easy step-by-step guidance on stitches and techniques. The book contains beginner-friendly patterns as well as more advanced ones for those who are a dab hand at the craft already (or if you want to work your way up to those). These unique stitches would make lovely hangings around your home, or you could give them as gifts to friends and family, nothing goes down better than homemade!
Buy Cute Critters on Amazon
10. Colourful Fun Embroidery by Clare Albans
Everyone needs a bit of brightness and motivation in their lives at some point, and this book brings just that! Brighten up your home and your life with these 24 bright and fun embroidery projects. With a step-by-step guide and beautiful illustrations, this is the ideal book for embroidery beginners and with certainly spark a love of stitching in anyone looking to learn. This fun book also gives you the chance to personalise your work, by allowing you to choose your own colours and even giving you suggestions to make it unique!
11. Embroidery Now: Contemporary projects for you and your home by Jennifer Cardenas Riggs
This edgy embroidery book contains 30 contemporary projects for your to stitch including boho stitched lampshade, constellation table runner, and starry-stitched dresses. This book is the perfect companion for any modern stitcher who wants to take their home decor to the next level. To finish these designs you won't need any prior experience as the book offers full step-by-step instructions, top tips and tricks making it perfect for anyone new to embroidery.
Now you’ve got your embroidery books sorted, it might be time to take on your next embroidery project! If you’re new to embroidery make sure you head over to our embroidery for beginners guide plus this useful embroidery stitches library. Want to be inspired? Find gorgeous and free patterns ready to stitch right here on Gathered, try the cute bee embroidery, the bicycle embroidery pattern, or maybe this autumnal mushroom embroidery pattern. If you’re looking for more of a challenge give this fun octopus embroidery or the wildflower embroidery a go, to practice your stitches. Practice your straight stitch with the sun embroidery design.
