Weekend Review: Richly Stitched Landscape Embroidery

 

Richly Stitched Landscape Embroidery / Cassandra Dias
Lafayette, CA: C&T, c2026.
160 p.

This is a recent book I picked up via my library. It's a gorgeous look at thread painting, creating full coverage landscapes that look realistic (the size of these are 3" hoops, to make them manageable, it looks like a lot of work!) 

This book is a great workshop, essentially. It starts with an introduction to tools and materials, and basic embroidery techniques like transferring, basics of thread painting, hooping a piece etc. There is also a section on design -- working from a reference photo and creating your own designs. This is all handy info for anyone who is not a pattern follower. But for those who are, or who want to start with a pattern, there are also lots of those! 

The book then provides a stitch guide to 9 stitches, and 10 tutorials for the various landscape elements -- grasses, rocks, trees etc - so that you can get used to the techniques for each of them. After that, 7 complete patterns are shared (traceable in book, or downloadable). Each of these patterns has a stitch guide and instructions on order of stitching and so on, each one quite lengthy and complete. I feel like the instructions would be easier to follow if you had a bit of stitching experience, though eager beginners may be okay. 

While this is not my usual style of stitching for myself, I really enjoyed looking through this and learning some new techniques. It's a beautiful book and if you like gentle, realistic landscapes in stitch, you're going to love it. I thought it was very well done, and just right for a stitcher who wants to up their skill level a bit. 

Weekend Review: Stitched

 

Stitched / Eli McCann
Salt Lake City, UT: Torrey House Press, c2026.
280 p.

I picked up this book at my library after hearing quite a bit of chatter about it. So I was looking forward to it -- it's the story of a small quilting group that needs new members so end up inviting two gay men without any quilting experience to join them. And the connections between the ladies and these two men start to develop. 

It sounds good -- the author's mother was in a quilt group, and he says that's what he based a lot of the story on. I did like the mix of characters and could see that this story had a lot of potential. There's a small quilt group, I won't call it a guild because it's a handful of women who meet weekly to maybe sew a bit. There's a big biannual quilt competition coming up and they want to run up a viable entry to show off their skills. But with a couple of longtime members no longer able to participate they aren't sure they will be able to manage it. Enter Byron and Rob -- who I would have thought would add something to the groups since they don't have any quilting skills. But even Rob's design skills are not used in the creation of their competition quilt. 

There is also a strong rivalry with a nearby quilt group, who usually win competitions. There is some lead up to potential drama there, but it fizzles out without much to-do. 

I really wanted to like this! But. In execution there were many flaws, for me. The female characters often feel stereotypical, except for a couple of them. The premise to the story also had many holes that were easily seen. While I was reading I didn't mind too much but once I finished and was thinking about it, there was a lot that didn't really make sense to me. 

The women are often bickering and not committed to quilting -- this is not like any quilters I know. And their group meets weekly. Weekly! Who does that? Also, their competition quilt is described as they develop plans, and it is godawful. I don't need to see it to know that it would be a dog's breakfast. How a quilt shop owner could approve this as part of her group's entry, I will never know. 

Anyhow, lots of people on Goodreads love it, and if you read it without expecting too much maybe you will too. I think there are many novels out there by actual quilters who have a better grasp on what quilting is all about.

The cover is gorgeous and I'm happy they used an image of an actual quilt, and attributed it properly. There were some funny moments in the sttory, but overall I found this underwhelming, with bland writing, and the promise of the story of two gay men lighting up a bunch of quilters was never quite reached. Not my thing, sadly. 

Weekend Review: The Nature of Fashion

The Nature of Fashion / Carry Somers
Chelsea Green Publishing, c2025.
304 p.

Another read about fashion history, this one is more focused on the natural world and the sociology of how textile development was rooted in local communities, and how trade changed worlds. 

This history of plants and fibre across the world covers a range of eras and places. It moves from the paleolithic to contemporary reflections, which is both a strength and a weakness. It's fascinating to hear all the anecdotes about different plants and how they were used in various cultures, but the range sometimes gave me whiplash, moving around so quickly! 

It covers hemp, indigo, flax and the usual suspects but also delves into lesser known fibres and cultures. The author is a specialist in South America (she started the company Pachacuti and has travelled and lived in South America) so there is quite a bit about that area of the world, which I find is not often the focus of books like this. I did enjoy this and learned quite a bit. 

However, there were a couple of elements that didn't work as well for me. She relies a lot on telling stories in her writing style -- imagining what neolithic spinners were thinking or what kings and explorers were doing on the daily, and so forth. This kind of 'setting the stage' writing doesn't appeal to me, I just like the facts. If I was reading this book I would have skimmed over these sections quickly. But I was listening to the audiobook. It was read by the author, and unfortunately that was also a bit jarring for me at times. The ease with which a professional narrator can tell a story is underrated & there are small things that show the difference. 

Still, overall this was an interesting book, with a different approach to the history of fibre. It shows the labour involved in creating fibres and discovering how to work with plants, from the ice ages to contemporary times. The author is also one of the founders of Fashion Revolution, so you know this is something she really cares about, and that adds weight to the book. A good read, although I'd probably recommend reading it rather than choosing the audio. 

Weekend Review: The Point of the Needle

 

The Point of the Needle / Barbara Burman
London: Reaktion Books, c2023.
288 p.

I've meant to read this one for a while, but only just got around to it now. It is a look at "plain sewing", the kind of everyday sewing done by women over decades, and which is experiencing a bit of a resurgence now. 

I liked it, it did talk about all the things I love about sewing and see other sewists mention too. The sense of creativity, accomplishment, community, skill etc. And this book also investigates when sewing wasn't done by much choice, but as a necessity. 

It's focused on England, and she has a series of interviews with older women that pepper the book, as the different topics are raised. She also looks at more contemporary social sewing (well, things in the last decade anyhow). She does mention the Sewcialists blog which began in 2013 and shut down in 2025 I think -- but calls it American, when it was begun and maintained by a Canadian (small annoyance for me). 

I liked it but felt that there was nothing new here -- that could be because I have read many similar books in the past, maybe someone newer to sewing would be more engaged. I also found that the tone was very academic and strangely detached. Like I couldn't tell if Burman has actually ever sewn herself - this book did not have the same enthusiasm behind it as the last one I read in this field. But maybe that's just her academic approach.

So overall, there were some interesting bits, and I appreciate that she was able to interview a bunch of women about their lives in sewing while they were still able to share, and then let us read those discussions. But a bit of a slow read for me unfortunately. 

Weekend Review: With Her Own Hands

 

With Her Own Hands / Nicole Nehrig
NY: Norton, c2025
278 p.

Reading some more dense books about textiles, history and sociology this month. Starting with With Her Own Hands, a collection of reflections and stories about sewing, weaving, embroidering, and related textile arts.  

It's a hard one to summarize, as it moves across the world and across time to reveal how textiles have played a role in women's lives, offering intellectual and emotional outlets, community building, financial resources, trauma processing, social activism, and just simple enjoyment, too. 

It's broken out into seven chapters, and includes many stories -- some of them I was aware of, as I have read quite a bit in this area, but some were new to me. I enjoyed her writing style, too. She's academic (a PhD in psychology) but she's also a knitter herself, which you can tell from how familiar she is with the nuances of her storytelling. The writing has a historical density, but it's also engaging and full of great anecdotes. 

I enjoyed the parts about embroidery and social activism quite a lot, as I am familiar with those areas, and it was great to learn more -- from artists recreating lacemaking from their Armenian background to an Egyptian woman who took up needlework as her medium after she was barred from painting classes because she was a woman, to the contemporary artist Michelle Kingdom (a favourite of mine) -- so many fascinating makers are shared here. 

Each section has lots to learn, and the range from mythology to present day is well handled. There is enough here to keep you reading, and it will give you lots of tidbits to add to conversations too! 

It's an enjoyable read, not necessarily a quick one, but really satisfying. 

Weekend Review: Backstitch

 

Backstitch / Marian Mitchell Donahue
Boston, MA: Galiot Press, c2026.
314 p.

This is a novel I have been wanting to read since I saw it mentioned in pre-publication! Fortunately I found it in one of my online library resources -- I had to read it right away. 

It's the story of two girls growing up in a household in which their mother Alice is a focused and somewhat notable artist, with all the distracted, moody , self-centred artist stereotypes going on. Her work always takes first place, and the sisters are often used as models, woken up in the middle of the night and dragged down to the studio to pose in the cold - or arranged into a tableau in the wet garden as needed - until finally one day their father Arthur comes home in the midst of one set piece and puts an end to it. 

The two girls, Violet and Marigold, see themselves as inseparable but as they grow older, Violet, the eldest, follows Arthur's footsteps into academia, while Marigold becomes a working artist - but careful not to turn into her mother. 

As the book opens, Violet is heading into a large retrospective show honouring their mother, put together by Marigold. Violet is uncomfortable with the huge show promos featuring a painting of her as a child - her own eyes follow her as she arrives. From this moment, we move backward through their lives, and their parents' lives, getting the more complete story bit by bit. The story is mapped out against the rooms of the exhibit, and the structure adds a really interesting element to this novel. The story is told backward, stitching the perspectives of all four family members together. 

The title and theme also come from Alice's breakthrough in her work - the inclusion of stitching into her wild canvases. This stitching reflects the past, her fractured relationship with her family of origin, the way she engages with the symbols of domesticity, and the secrets she keeps about and from her daughters. Her stitching plays a role in the resolution of some of these plot threads as well. 

It's a complex study of art, artistic temperament and emotional neglect -- both in Alice's past and the way she relates to her daughters. It can be hard reading, but it is also beautifully written, with both art (Alice) and astronomy (Arthur) creating visual impact. You'll wish you could see an Alice Snyder piece in real life after this. If you enjoy thoughtful reads with difficult family dynamics, women's struggles to find their authentic path, discussions of art, ethics, and long-held secrets, I think you'll like this one too. 

Weekend Review: Stitched Mixed Media

Stitched Mixed Media / Jessica Grady 
Wiltshire: Crowood Press, c2023.
111 p.

This short book of stitching was a very interesting one -- definitely a mixed media style, making me think a little bit of junk journaling! The author has a very colourful, eclectic style, incorporating all kinds of things into her abstract stitched pieces. 

It's inspiring to read this and see all the ways that she uses a variety of materials. From 'sequins' punched out of waste plastics to beads made from hollow wire casings, beach glass or porcelain, to washers, wires, soft plastics, recycled foil packaging, and much more, there are so many unusual materials and ideas here. There are some instructional pages on how to create holes for beads in things like stones or porcelain, or how to paint and punch soft plastics to make interesting paillettes. And there are many images of everything - despite being a rather small book, there is so much visual inspiration. 

She talks about colour, composition, combining materials, how to finish and display things. She shares different substrates and how to stitch onto a variety of things beyond fabric in a hoop, and how to fasten items into a piece. Even if wild abstracts aren't your thing there are sure to be some ideas you could take from this book. I enjoyed looking through it and have ideas to try out for myself now. 

It's not really project based although there are a few samplers to try out some of the techniques and materials. It's more focused on her aesthetic and all the various materials and techniques she uses that you might be interested in learning more about. If you like abstract work and lots of colour, and lots of new ideas too, be sure to check this one out. 

 

Weekend Review: Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery, Vol. 2

 

Creative Stitches for Contemporary Embroidery, Vol. 2 /Sharon Boggon
Lafayette, CA: C&T Publishing, c2026.
192 p.

This book was recently published and I was lucky to be able to read it right away. It's just a gorgeous and useful as Volume 1 by the same author! 

And all the things I said about Volume 1 when I reviewed it in 2021 apply here as well -- this is a great resource, a clearly photographed guide to 114 stitches (in addition to the 120 in the original) with clear instruction on how to make them, use them, alter them, and so on. Lots of wonderful examples of projects using these stitches in combination, and ways to add to them with unusual threads or objects like beads or textile ephemera. 

I enjoyed the ideas shared here, and I also like the way that this book is published in exactly the same format as the last one - they make a great matched set. The book is a usable size, with easily read photos, and is bright and glossy but also flops open easily so that you can leave it open at a page that you're trying out stitches from and it won't constantly close itself. Thoughtful! 

Anyhow, not much to add to this except to say check it out if you can, it is a super resource for any stitcher. 

Weekend Review: The Embroidery of Mexico

The Embroidery of Mexico / Gimena Romero
Tunbridge Wells, UK: Search Press, 2026.
192 p.

I am back to regular blogging & to start off another year of Weekend Reviews I am sharing this amazing book on the embroidery of Mexico. This is a translation of a book by Gimena Romero, a Mexican textile artist & researcher. Her connection to her material makes every page sing -- such a cultural journey is shared here, alongside multiple stitches. I loved it! 

The photography is also stunning. Rich, bright, lots of close-up images of both the front and back of stitched pieces to inspire & instruct. (Photos by Pedro Aragon). 

The book includes a section of instructions on tools, transfer methods, stitch technique etc, also illustrated. And then Romero takes the reader on a journey around Mexico, covering eight traditional & modern styles of stitching. She shares the region, the parameters of each style & how to create something in that style. From more familiar kinds of Mexican embroidery to a tradition of stitching with hair, and modern street style, or her own recognizable stitching, she covers a lot. It's fascinating - where these traditional styles came from & how they were maintained, the language of stitching which is tied to the location and Indigenous language, the kinds of threads, colours, patterns- there is so much variety. She also includes 8 pages of templates of motifs you can trace & use. 

This is a beautiful & unique book, perfect for a coffee table read or some actual stitching inspo. I would say that beginners might not find this the best starter book as it contains a lot & assumes a bit of familiarity but for visual inspiration & cultural exploration it can't be beat. Loved this one, highly Recommended!

Weekend Review: Daddy Dressed Me

 

Daddy Dressed Me / Michael Gardner & Ava Gardner
illus. by Nadia Fisher
NY: Aladdin, c2023.

This charming picture book is a lot of fun to read, especially if you followed Michael Gardner's original blog about his journey to sew for his daughter Ava. 

The storyline is that Ava has been asked to recite a poem at school and is very nervous about it. Daddy agrees to make a very special dress for the occasion. But both of these projects are hard! So they help each other - Ava practices her words while Daddy is sewing, with his help with the hard bits. And she encourages Daddy as he goes through the steps of this challenging new dress. 

In the end, Ava wears a beautiful dress and recites her poem perfectly. This is a sweet story of the gentle relationship between these two. And the illustrator has done a fabulous job of capturing the essential charm and all of the sewing details too! I really loved the way that the words Ava is learning are made into bright colourful parts of the text, alongside all the fabric designs and colours there. It really works well and was a satisfying read. 

There is a short afterword by Michael Gardner about how and why he began sewing for Ava, and it was a great addition for the adults reading this. Definitely worth searching out this lovely picture book. 

It Starts with a Square

 

It Starts with a Square / Cris Wood
Beverly, MA: Quarry Books, c2026.
144 p.

I'm doing something a bit unusual for me today, and that's reviewing a book that hasn't been published yet. This collection of low-waste designs by Cris Wood is being released on August 4, so very soon -- and I really wanted to share it so you can look out for it -- it is fantastic! 

Cris Wood really hit it big online with her Envelope Dress during the pandemic boom in sewing, and has continued to develop new patterns. They are all zero or low waste designs, and there is quite a variety to her stable of patterns. This book incorporates some of those classics as well as new patterns. This is a generous book - there is so much of her work included.

The book has 17 garment projects (!) made entirely from basic squares and rectangles - no closures or premade patterns required. She goes over how to measure your body and translate that into the shapes for each pattern, and there are no really tricky techniques once you've got the measuring and cutting down. There's a section where she talks about how to mix & match the pattern elements to create new pieces, as well, which should appeal to more practiced sewists - it really extends the wardrobe options in the book.

This would be a great book for sewing newbies but it's also inspiring for those of us who have been sewing for a long time. I'm really excited about the possibilities here, and there is even one of her patterns included in this book that I've been meaning to make for ages, so now I will definitely give it a go. 

If you've enjoyed her work online, or if you're interested in low-waste sewing in general, don't miss this one. It's an inclusive collection, with lots of images of every pattern, on varied body shapes and sizes, and a great discussion of how this kind of sewing is based on your body, not preset sizing. I think this is one of the most welcoming sewing books I've seen in a while, but it is also organized, well-laid out, easy to use and instructive. It's a hit for me! 

You can see some of the interior images and pre-order on her website!

Gertie Sews Glam Knits

 

Gertie Sews Glam Knits / Gretchen Hirsch
NY: Harry Abrams, c2026.
192 p.

The latest pattern book by Gretchen Hirsch features knits - not a frequent fabric in her vintage-inspired designs. But in this book she covers all you need to know to make knits look glam and Hollywood. It's more than a pattern book, as she discusses quite a lot about knits themselves to begin with. How to identify, decide what kind of knit you'll need, the differences in content, stretch, drape, recovery and more. She discusses stabilizing, finishing, and so forth. It's actually a great intro for people who are hesitant to sew knits, or who are generally unfamiliar with them. 

Then of course there are the patterns. There are six main patterns here, with pattern-hacking variations included to extend their potential. All patterns are available as pdf downloads, in sizes 2-20 and 18-34, A-H cups. You could really make a knit wardrobe with the patterns here, if you were so inclined. They include: 

• The Jewel Neck Top
• The Surplice Top
• The Halter Top
• The Pencil Skirt
• The Side Draped Skirt
• The Tap Shorts

They all look lovely the way they've been presented here, on two body sizes. For my own wardrobe, I'd be most inclined to make the Pencil Skirt, particularly one of the variations that has a few draped tucks on the front. But this is a really informative read, as well as being visually engaging, as most of Gertie's books are. So it's just fun to look at even if you don't end up making anything! If you like vintage knits, this is one to get.

Dopamine Dressmaking

 

Dopamine Dressmaking / Brogan Allard
London: Quadrille, c2024.
191 p.

This is another book written by a former contestant on the Great British Sewing Bee. It highlights the style she showed in her appearance on the show - lots of frill and print. Very suitable to the younger sewist who loves this vibe! 

I love dresses so really wanted to check out this book. And while the styles aren't necessarily things I would make for myself, I found this to be quite a good book. It's well structured -- with 15 projects: there are 8 dresses, with a variation for 7 of them. The size range runs 6 - 22, or B/W/H of 21/23.5/33.75 to 46.5/39/49.25. 

The book starts out with an introduction to Brogan, some basic sewing info on sewing kit, fabrics and how to use the patterns in the book (all downloadable pdfs from the link in the book). Then it moves on to the projects. Each one has the initial pattern instructions, then a variation, then a technique tutorial on something that was involved in that project. Lots of learning opportunities here. The projects are all dresses: 

• T-shirt Dress
• Sun Dress
• Tea Dress 
• Buffet Dress
• Everyday Dress 
• Bib Dress 
• Shirt Dress 
• Party Dress

The Party Dress, as the most elaborate, is the only one without a variation included. The others have a second view that is different enough to feel like a new dress idea. The instructions are pretty good, and there are tons of bright and colourful photos included in the book too. This would be a great project book for someone still fairly new to sewing, to help them stretch their skills and learn new techniques. I always enjoy seeing the Sewing Bee contestants again after their season, and I thought this book was a well thought out collection, even if aimed at quite a specific audience. Lots of colour, print, and pretty dresses - definitely a great dopamine hit just to look through it! 

Weekend Review: Margaret's New Look

 

Margaret's New Look / Katherine Ashenburg
TO: Knopf Canada, c2025.
296 p.

I really wanted to like this book by Canadian author Ashenburg. And there were some great things about it that I enjoyed, and so finished the story. But as a whole I didn't end up loving it, for a couple of reasons. But what is it about? 

Margaret, a curator, is putting on a big show about Dior. The story takes place all during the planning and lead-up to the exhibition's opening. It starts with her at work, heading to a meeting, where we find out about all the characters and the workplace politics that will shape her future. Then we see her at home, where her writer husband and two youngish daughters are introduced. And we hear about her family - especially her father, who never admitted to his Jewish heritage but now it seems pretty obvious to Margaret and her sisters. 

Margaret also has connections with a man who is able to source some Dior pieces for her, through an elderly lady she finally gets to meet, and she discovers that this woman was a petit main in Dior's workshops in her youth. Very convenient for finding out more for her exhibit! 

There were a lot of threads to this story, and unfortunately I didn't find it very successful. The parts about Dior and his controversial history (mostly around WWII, his sister's war, his focus on fashion during the Nazi regime etc) were interesting, but I already knew everything she mentioned, from other history books. The fact dumping really felt like it would have been better served in a nonfiction approach. If a reader was completely new to this history, though, it might feel more compelling. There was a good core to the story, which kept me reading to the end. 

However, I felt that the characters and the plot were clunky and often flat. It was easy to guess how the story was going to unfold (not much mystery there) and the element of Margaret both being very concerned about her father's possible Jewish heritage and at the same time seeming so oblivious to it all was confusing. I didn't feel that that element was clearly explored. 

So a mixed review, I guess - the idea of the novel was interesting and the look at Dior's fashion world was great. But the characters did not catch me; I like to read for characters and great writing, and neither of these was really present in this book. 

Weekend Review: Narrative Textiles

 

Narrative Textiles / Ailish Henderson
London: Batsford, c2024.
128 p.

Another book I picked up through my library, this one looks at stitching and mixed media work from the viewpoint of storytelling. It's by a UK author, and has that particular UK sensibility to it - lots of distressed, vintage fabrics, a kind of "messy" style, and in this case, a lot of focus on family history and stories. 

It's not a project book, per se, more of an inspirational one. While the author shares many of her projects and how-tos are included, it feels like more of a study of how to incorporate physical family textiles and materials into a more idea driven project focused on communicating a narrative. So, lots of info on preparation - which materials to use, where to find them, WHY you're using them and what you are trying to share. Whether you're focusing on family, travels, pets, personal identity/self-portraits, or similar themes, there's a technique that you'll be able to use, or at least be inspired by. 

It's a beautiful book, as Batsford publications so often are. There are full page, detailed photos of projects and lots of lovely studio shots too. Henderson incorporates her own family story and her poetry into the book, and it makes it feel quite relatable. The projects/techniques are also accessible, as they don't require specialist studio equipment, just things that stitchers might have already, or which are easily sources. 

I'm not sure it's inspired any immediate work for me, but I did enjoy it, and some of the concepts were things I want to remember. If you are interested in stitching family stories or investigating identity through textile work, this is one you would really enjoy as well. 

You can find an interview with Ailish Henderson on the podcast Stitchery Stories to hear more about her work. 

Weekend Review: Elevate Your Scrap Sewing Projects

 

Elevate Your Scrap Sewing Projects / Sallieann Harrison

Mount Joy, PA: Landauer Publishing, c2023 

215 p

A rather random reading choice today, but this is one I came across in my library and was pleasantly surprised by! It's a book of projects to use scraps, mostly quilting scraps, and the projects are mainly home decor and accessories, but there are some intriguing techniques that could also be adapted for garment details. 

The book is pretty to look at, and definitely scrappy; the author shares some new ideas with a modern, pretty aesthetic. The author is UK based, so there are lots of Liberty scraps in evidence here -- it's a pretty book to flip through! 

It starts out with an "About Me" to introduce the author a bit, then has a "Tools Tips Techniques" chapter which goes over quite a lot of the basics. It makes it easy for the beginner sewist to feel confident trying the projects. The projects themselves have a range of difficulties, and are shown clearly with lots of photos of process and finished project, and they have pretty good instructions. There is a mix of fabric manipulation and more straightforward quilting projects, as well as a couple of other styles of project. 

The 10 projects are: 

• Basket Weave Cushion or mini Quilt
• Pleated Bucket Bag
• Summer Cushion 
• Woven Cork Pouch
• Rope Basket
• Sallieann Flower Quilt
• Japanese Origami Cushion
• Heart Strings Pouch
• Christmas Presents Mini Quilt 

There is a bit of repetition -- for example, the fabric pleated bag and cushion use the same techniques, so there is duplication in the instructions. This was the technique I was most interested in though, and the most unusual for me, so I was happy to have two examples to study. 

I liked this one, and it gave me some ideas, always a good thing in a new craft book. It's quite charming and I think the projects are modern enough to appeal widely. You can get a flip through of the whole book with the author in the video below, if you are interested! 

Weekend Review: Sew Happy & Healthy

 

Sew Healthy & Happy / Rose Parr
Concord, CA: C&T, c2021
80 p.

A bit of healthy sewing content today...I read this book on ergonomic sewing by a fellow Canadian, and found quite a few great tips to stay healthier and less achy after spending time in the sewing room.

This book is quite short, but covers a number of things. It starts out with some guidelines about setting up the sewing space ergonomically, starting with studio design. Then moves on to ergonomic tips specifically for cutting, pressing, and then all the sewing options. How high to have your sewing and cutting tables, pressing techniques, angles, how to use different machines etc. She is a quilter so does talk about seated sewing, longarm quilting and various situations like that which may require different adaptations. This is all very practical and useful. 

The book is illustrated with drawings throughout, no photos. They are clear and show the details of both the set-up suggestions and the stretches well, however. 

The book then moves on to 20 pages of stretches for sewists, to keep your body supple and help you avoid any chronic repetitive strain injuries. It's very helpful. There is then a brief section on healthy habits and snacks - I have to say, this part I just skipped over, it wasn't interesting to me. Then the book closes with some tips on best practices when attending workshops - things like have a proper transport for your machine so you're not hauling it uncomfortably, find out what the workshop offers so you don't haul along unnecessary items (ie: irons if you don't need to). Like I say, this is primarily aimed at quilters so definitely a lot of workshop info will be very relevant there. But the info is great for any sewist who spends time in a workspace that hasn't been optimized. There are a few tips here I could use, and I will definitely incorporate some of the stretches - I can already see how they'd help with the aches and pains of longer sewing sessions. I thought this was a good book and super practical for any sewist!

Weekend Review: Crafting a Knock-off

 

Crafting a Knock-Off / Barbara Emodi
Concord, CA: C&T Pub., c2026
232 p.

I love this series of cozy mysteries set in Nova Scotia, written by a Canadian craft legend :) When book 7 became available, I grabbed it! This details the further adventures of Valerie Rankin, middle aged craft and general store owner, as she once again gets involved in a mysterious death -- and like usual, goes off on many misguided suspicions before the truth is revealed. 

In this volume, she encounters Murray Nunn, a big talker who is trying to push business development and an export scheme. He won't leave anyone at the local craft fair alone, and while Valerie is talking to him, he suddenly drops dead. On camera. She has a wide range of suspects, from local craftspeople to those who have just arrived in Gasper's Cove for their own purposes, and even including her boyfriend's nephew -- which causes some relationship bumps. 

But Valerie must continue on her sleuthy ways no matter what, and with the involvement of the local RCMP and her crafting ladies, they eventually solve the mystery, and Valerie's fears of the end of her relationship prove unfounded. 

I love these books for their characters and the Nova Scotia setting -- and of course the inclusion of craft content! There are upcycled quilted coats, tartans and kilts, piecework sewing and craft fairs as integral parts of this mystery, and they are important. I thought this one was well constructed and entertaining. Always a treat to revisit Gasper's Cove! 

Weekend Review: Seasonal Flower Embroidery

Seasonal Flower Embroidery / Kazuko Aoki
trans. from the Japanese by Alison Markham Powell
Boulder, CO: Roost Books, c2022.
112 p.

 I recently bought this lovely little book - I really enjoy Japanese aesthetics, and this embroidery book was delightful. One of a series of books by author Kazuko Aoki, this one features florals, inspired by a local Tokyo flower shop. It is quirky, though, with a few new ideas in it that delight me. She stitches a variety of blooms over 25 projects, and some in a more traditional, expected context, like hoop art or embellishment on clothing or housewares. But there was one project in particular that appealed. She embroiders a flower, then cuts it out of the fabric and glues a wire on the back to make it a stand alone piece — even covering the bottom of the wire with 2 paper circles cut from old books (as seen on the cover). I loved this! I really want to try it out, it's so beautiful! 

She also creates patches and pins, purses, gift tags, totes and more. I was really taken with the way she moves embroidery off the fabric and into 3D settings with her pins and display florals. But each of the motifs are beautiful. The book is laid out nicely, organized by the four seasons, with three kinds of flowers represented in each season. The patterns are clear, well explained, and illustrated with beautiful large photos. Then there are the projects - each of these also has robust instructions and large example photos which are pleasingly displayed. It's a treat to look at, even if you don't make anything! 

This is a great book, and it makes me want to pick up all of her other books now — she has a lovely style and I enjoyed the creative use of embroidery in unique projects. Definitely work searching this one out if you can! 

Weekend Review: The Atlas of World Embroidery

 

The Atlas of World Embroidery / Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood
Princeton, NJ: Princeton UP, c2026.
400 p.

I was lucky to come across this large and expensive book through my library system. It's quite big, full of 300 colour illustrations, and gives a great overview of embroidery from around the world. That is both its strength and weakness - because it covers so much, there is of necessity just a few pages on each style and region. But it gives a great sense of what's out there, and what you may be interested in then researching further. 

I thought it was an enjoyable one to flip through, and with so many images to examine that it was creatively satisfying. I flipped first to Ukraine to see what she'd included, and of course because there are only a couple of pages she could only touch on the basics. But this was in a chapter on Eastern Europe, with other, similar countries covered as well, so you could see the fine differences between countries. But there are so many regional differences with one country as well! 

This book made me hungry to explore more into areas I wasn't as familiar with, and the illustrations just piqued my interest in wanting to know more. I'll have to look up other histories that cover just one style to get more in-depth. This book, however, introduced me to a ton of styles. 

I liked it, found it absorbing, but not sure I'd spend the $60 price tag on it for my own collection - it's more of a browsing kind of book for me. Thank goodness for the public library!