Here’s my list of needlework and hand embroidery books that I’ve reviewed on Needle ‘n Thread. Books on surface embroidery, cutwork, white work, needlelace, crewel, needle painting, goldwork, and a variety of other techniques are all included, each with a thorough description and review of content.
These are needlework books that I’ve found inspirational and useful, and I hope the review helps you see whether or not a specific book is suited to your tastes and interests in needlework before you make an investment in it.
- Eighteenth Century Embroidery Techniques
by Gail Marsh - 19th Century Embroidery Techniques
Gail Marsh - A-Z of Goldwork with Silk Embroidery
Country Bumpkin Publications - A-Z of Whitework
Country Bumpkin Publications - Abécédaires de Tradition
By Marie Clare - All that Glitters
By Alison Cole - The Art of Embroidery
By Lanto Synge - The Art of Teaching Craft
By Joyce Spencer and Deborah Kneen - Basic Principles of Schwalm Whitework
By Luzine Happel - Basics of Embroidery on Paper
By Erica Fortgens - Beginner’s Guide to Crewel Embroidery
Jane Rainbow - The Beginner’s Guide to Goldwork
by Ruth Chamberline - Beginner’s Guide to Mountmellick Embroidery
by Patt Trott
- Beginner’s Guide to Silk Shading
Clare Hanham - Broderie et Dentelle sur Carton Perforé
By Veronique Maillard - Broderies Colbert (Colbert Embroidery)
Éditions L’Inédite – Paris - Bunnies in My Garden
by Jenny McWhinney - Comendium of Ancien Artistic Initials for Vintage Style Monograms
by JF and FA Shepard - Crewel and Surface Embroidery: Inspirational Floral Designs
Trish Burr - Crewel Embroidery: A Practical Guide
By Shelagh Amor - Crewel Embroidery in England
By Joan Edwards - Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches
By Mary Thomas - Early American Crewel Designs
By Frances Bradbury - Embroidered Flora & Fauna: Three-Dimensional Textured Embroidery
By Lesley Turpin-Delport & Nikki Delport-Wepener - Embroidered Flowers for Elizabeth
By Susan O’Connor - The Embroiderer’s Handbook
Published by the same people who put out the A-Z series - Embroidery on Paper
By Cynthia Rapson - Embroidery on Paper for Every Occasion
By Joke and Adriaan de Vette - Embroidery Stitch Bible
Betty Barnden - Embroidery Techniques and Patterns
Marie-Noelle Bayard - English Crewel Designs: 16th – 18th Centuries
By Frances Bradbury - Fancy Hems
By Luzine Happel - Floral Interpretations for Silk Ribbon Embroidery
By Helen Dafter - Filet Lace – Introduction to the Linen Stitch
By Marie-Jo Quinault at Filet Lace By the Sea - Goldwork Embroidery: Designs & Projects
by Mary Brown - Iron-On Transfers
Several Reviews in One Review - Left-Handed Embroiderer’s Companion
By Yvette Stanton - Letters and Monograms from the House of Malbranche
By Yvonne Van de Velde-Malbranche and Christine Rosenthal - Long and Short Stitch Embroidery, A Collection of Flowers
Trish Burr - Mains et Merveilles
French Published Needlework Magazine - Making Hand-Sewn Boxes
By Jackie Woolsey - The Midas Touch
By Alison Cole - Metal Thread Embroidery
By Jane Lemon - The New Crewel
By Katherine Shaughn
essy - Painting with a Needle
By Young Yang Chung - Redoute’s Finest Flowers in Embroidery
Trish Burr - Ribbon Embroidery and Stumpwork
By Di van Niekerk, published by Search Press - Royal School of Needlework Embroidery Techniques
By Sally Saunders - Schwalm Whitework Embroidery
Christine Bishop - Stumpwork Embroidery
Jane Nicholas - Stumpwork: Medieval Flora
By Jane Nicholas - Twixt Art and Nature: English Embroidery from the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art - Variety Magazines: Italian Cut Work and Filet Lace
Multiple volumes digitally refurbished by Iva Rose Productions - Wessex Stitchery
By Gay Eaton - White Work
By Carter Houck (Dover Publications) - The Wool Embroidery Collection
By Gail Rogers - Why Not Embroider Boxes?
By Daphne Ashby and Jackie Woolsey
I had an old book that I found at a garage sale (for 25centes!) and I think it was put out by DMC. It was thick and hard covered, and it had all the stitches in it you could ever want and explained with pictures. I lent it to someone and never got it back. Does anyone have any idea what that book was? If you can help, Thanks! Patty
Hi, Patty. DMC did put out a book (over 100 years ago, but still available in reprints) called The Complete DMC Encyclopedia of Needlework. Reader’s Digest also put out a comprehensive guide to needlework – it’s available used and in reprints. They are both large books, and cover a plethora of techniques. I’ll see if I can find a good price out there somewhere and post the link for you. Sorry you lost yours!
I found a Reader’s Digest “Complete Guide to Embroidery Stitches” a few months ago at Borders. It’s a smallish hardcover about an inch thick. Not sure if this is a totally new book or a new edition of the one you mentioned, but it’s readily available and covers a couple hundred stitches, with clear photos and diagrams for every single one.
thanks for the reviews! I do own more than a dozen books which I bought because of the cover and the title, but were totally not worth buying.
It was the mistake of being unexperienced, when i was starting to build my own library of needlework books. But now, I learn to read reviews, and your reviews are the best!
Thanks! Glad you like them! I think I need to update this list….
I've gone blind. Where is Yvette Stanton's review?
hi,
i found this site very useful, but im unable to work by seeing on pc every time, i need one a-z emb book, im in india, can u recommend me any a-z hand emb book which is available in INDIA pls, thanx
Dear Madam,
Thank you for publishing a good n useful website for us..Can you please tell me where to buy A-Z embroidery book in India. Am the begineer and I wish to learn embroidery..Can you please tell me..
Thank you
Hi,
A-Z Books are available in India through Landmark, Strand Book Stall and also through Variety Book Depot.
Variety Book Depot is the wholesaler for India. The link
varietybookdepot@rediffmail.com
I have ordered books through all the 3 sources and have received the books within a few days.