Sue Spargo's folk art designs get much of their texture and personality from hand embroidery, and this is the book that teaches the stitches behind them.

Creative Stitching, Second Edition is a working reference with more than seventy embroidery stitches. Each is shown step by step with clear illustrations and a close-up color photograph of the finished stitch. The spiral binding lies flat at the worktable, a category breakdown in the front lets you pick a stitch by the effect you want, and an alphabetical index in the back finds any stitch fast.

Sue's other books and patterns reference this book, and it stands on its own for anyone adding dimensional, embellished stitching to wool appliqué, quilts, slow stitch, or any fiber project.

What's in the Book

This listing is for the book only. Creative Stitching is a stitch reference, not a quilt pattern or a project kit, so there is no single project to make from it. What it gives you is the how-to for the stitches themselves.

• Step-by-step written instructions and clear illustrations for more than 70 stitches: the original 50 plus over 20 added for this edition
• A close-up color photograph of each finished stitch
• A Stitch Variations chapter with combinations and variations to try
• An updated Needles and Threads section covering the needles and thread weights Sue reaches for
• A category breakdown in the front to choose a stitch by its effect, and an alphabetical index in the back to find one by name
• Color photographs of Sue's finished work throughout
• 214 full-color pages, spiral bound to lie flat

Perfect For

• Stitchers working a Sue Spargo pattern or Block of the Month who want every stitch instruction in one place
• Wool appliqué and slow-stitch makers building texture with hand embroidery
• Stitchers who like to pick a stitch by the look they are after, then learn it on the spot
• Anyone who takes projects to class or guild and wants a reference that lies flat and travels well

Why You'll Love This Book

The organization does real work. The front of the book groups stitches by the effect they create, so a stitcher who wants a raised, beaded, or wrapped texture can scan to the right family before settling on one. The alphabetical index in the back makes it just as easy to come back to a stitch by name later. Because it is spiral bound, it stays open to the page on its own and leaves both hands free for the needle.

Every stitch is paired with a close-up color photograph of the finished result, so the target is clear before the first pass of thread, and Sue's own work runs throughout to show the stitches at home on her wool appliqué. With more than seventy stitches and a full chapter of variations, the book carries a stitcher from a first French knot to layered combinations, and the updated Needles and Threads section takes the guesswork out of which needle and which thread weight suit each one.

Product Details

• Brand: Sue Spargo Folk Art Quilts
• Item #: ISBN 978-0-9993902-0-7
• Author: Sue Spargo
• Category: Hand Embroidery Reference Book
• Skill Level: All levels (each stitch is taught step by step)
• Technique: Hand Embroidery
• Stitches: More than 70 (the original 50 plus over 20 new)
• Pages: 214, full color
• Format: Spiral-bound softcover
• Size: 7.5 in x 6.5 in
• Made in the United States