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Best Books About embroidery

8+ booksUpdated weeklyExpert curated

Hand embroidery has transformed from your grandmother's craft into a vibrant contemporary art form, with Instagram feeds full of botanical designs, whimsical illustrations, and thread paintings that look like fine art. These books bridge traditional stitch knowledge with modern aesthetics, teaching you foundational techniques while inspiring creative directions. From comprehensive stitch references to focused project books, you'll find an approach that matches how you like to learn.

Books & Affiliate Links

#TitleBest ForPriceISBN/ASINAmazon Link
1Embroidery: A Step-by-Step Guide to More than 200 Stitches by DKComprehensive stitch reference$20B07WG55L5SBuy on Amazon
2A-Z of Embroidery StitchesComprehensive stitch reference$221782211616Buy on Amazon
3Embroidered Botanicals by Yumiko HiguchiJapanese botanical embroidery$181611807735Buy on Amazon
4Felt Flower Workshop by Bryanne RajamannarDimensional felt florals$201644030411Buy on Amazon
5Mindful Embroidery by Charles Henry and Elin PetronellaMeditative stitching$22164567052XBuy on Amazon
6Modern Hand Stitching by Ruth ChandlerJapanese-influenced style$18193572648XBuy on Amazon
7Thread Painting and Silk Shading Embroidery by Margaret DierRealistic shading techniques$241785004778Buy on Amazon
8Doodle Stitching Embroidery Art by Aimee RayWhimsical, creative beginners$161644030179Buy on Amazon

Book Details

1. Embroidery: A Step-by-Step Guide to More than 200 Stitches by DK

DK's visual approach makes this the go-to reference for learning new stitches. Each of the 200+ stitches is photographed in progress, showing exactly how your needle and thread should move. The book covers hand embroidery, needlepoint, and cross-stitch, making it a comprehensive foundation for any direction you choose to take your needlework.

2. A-Z of Embroidery Stitches

This alphabetically organized encyclopedia from the Country Bumpkin embroidery magazine contains over 1,300 step-by-step photographs covering more stitches than you'll likely ever use. The organization makes it easy to find specific stitches, and the variations shown for each technique help you understand how to adapt stitches for different effects. A lifetime reference worth the investment.

3. Embroidered Botanicals by Yumiko Higuchi

Yumiko Higuchi's work exemplifies the delicate, naturalistic style that's made Japanese embroidery influential worldwide. Her botanical designs use wool thread and beads to create dimensional flowers and leaves with remarkable lifelike quality. The book teaches her specific techniques for achieving texture and depth, opening up a distinctive aesthetic approach.

4. Felt Flower Workshop by Bryanne Rajamannar

While not strictly traditional embroidery, this book teaches needle-felting and hand-stitching techniques to create stunning three-dimensional flower arrangements. Bryanne Rajamannar's realistic botanical sculptures look like preserved flowers but last forever. The crossover skills enhance any embroiderer's toolkit, and the finished pieces make impressive gifts and décor.

5. Mindful Embroidery by Charles Henry and Elin Petronella

This book approaches embroidery as meditation, with designs and techniques chosen specifically for their calming, repetitive qualities. The patterns encourage slow, deliberate stitching rather than rushing toward completion. For crafters seeking stress relief and mindfulness benefits from their hobby, this provides both beautiful projects and a framework for meditative practice.

6. Modern Hand Stitching by Ruth Chandler

Ruth Chandler brings Japanese sashiko and boro techniques into contemporary context with this project-based guide. The simple running stitches create stunning geometric patterns while teaching mindful, rhythmic stitching. It's an accessible entry into Japanese textile traditions that produces sophisticated results without requiring advanced skills.

7. Thread Painting and Silk Shading Embroidery by Margaret Dier

For embroiderers ready to create photorealistic images with thread, Margaret Dier's guide teaches the long-and-short stitch shading techniques used in traditional silk embroidery. The results look like paintings rendered in thread, with subtle color gradations and lifelike detail. It's challenging work, but the book breaks down the process systematically.

8. Doodle Stitching Embroidery Art by Aimee Ray

Aimee Ray's playful approach proves embroidery doesn't have to be formal or traditional. Her whimsical designs—cats, food, pop culture references, and imaginative scenes—appeal to crafters who want personality in their work. The patterns work up quickly and teach foundational stitches while producing finished pieces that feel fresh and fun rather than old-fashioned.

Top embroidery Books