Weekend Review: Lettered in Thread

 

Lettered in Thread / Ciara Le Roy
North Adams, MA : Storey Publishing, ©2026
159 p.

This is a spectacular book that I got via my library, but I think it's one that will end up in my personal collection. Anyone who loves both lettering and stitching will find this book invaluable. (yes, that's me!)

The author is a calligrapher/letterer, and she has also discovered stitching. This is a unique title, which incorporates her expertise in both areas. The book begins with a discussion of lettering, giving the basics of spacing, style, drawing out words effectively, focusing on block and what she calls 'fauxligraphy' (script) styles. It's extremely helpful in planning and executing designs, for those who don't have the expertise on the lettering side. There are examples and instructions, and also nice photos of projects she's made, to illustrate the different styles and techniques. She talks about things like guidelines, slant of letters, movement, dimension and texture. It's quite thorough!

The second half of the book focuses on stitching, and here she gives instruction on planning your design (ie: compostition and layout) and some colour theory. Then she moves on to some basic embroidery info: supplies, basic techniques, and her favourite stitches. She sticks with six main stitches here that can do everything she shows off -- seed stitch, backstitch, split stitch, satin stitch, long & short, and the colonial knot. For those who are familiar with lettering but not so much with stitching, it's a great, accessible intro. If you are more accomplished on the embroidery side, you can also add in the stitches that you favour to create your lettering the way you want it. 

There are some simple projects to follow at the end to get the hang of it, with lots of bright and cheerful photos. And she talks about lettered stitching both as restful meditation and as activism. There are so many solid tips thrown in along the way, to make your lettering look the best it can be. 

This book has such a unique premise, and it really delivered on the concept. I am looking forward to using some of her lettering tips to create some of the phrases I'd love to stitch.