Susie Johns

100 Essential Embroidery Stitches is a handy directory of 100 need-to-know freestyle embroidery stitches to refresh or add to your embroidery skills. Embroidery is like ‘painting’ with thread and this book gives you all the techniques you will need to create your own works of art. Whether you are new to embroidery and want to widen your repertoire or just need a comprehensive reference guide to look things up, you’ll find everything you need to improve your embroidery skills and feel confident tackling a wide range of projects.

• Simple stitches provide the foundation of knitted fabrics.
• Colorwork designs brighten up your project.
• Textured stitches and lacy patterns add interest to your work.
• Delicate edges and trims finish things off nicely. 
• The opening section covers essential knowledge on tools and materials and getting started.

Each stitch is rated for difficulty and is laid out with a decorative stitched sample and clear instructions.  

Fat Quarter: Accessories is the latest title in the successful ‘Fat Quarter’ series. This title is packed with 25 stash-busting sewing projects, all made from fat quarters or fabric scraps and aimed at beginner to intermediate crafters. Each project has easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions as well as beautiful photographs of the finished pieces. Fat Quarter: Accessories also contains a comprehensive techniques section. This book also shows how to create a wide variety of accessories including brooches and badges, earrings, bracelets, headwear, keyrings and charms.

If you're a sewer or a quilter, then the chances are good that you've got a collection of scrap fabric sitting in your home somewhere that you just can't bear to throw away. With Fat Quarter: Bags & Purses, you won't have to!

The 25 quick and easy projects range from:

• tool bag
• toy bag
• craft caddy
• lipstick pouch
• overnight bag

And more, and are all designed to be sewn from fat quarters or less—meaning you can finally put those scraps to use! What could be better than that?

Fat Quarter: Celebrations features 25 simple sewing projects for special occasions, from birthdays to weddings to festivals. 

Create a wide variety of practical and pretty items for celebrating in style, including love tokens, garlands, wedding favors, party hats, party bags, bunting, bags, table settings, birthday rosettes, birth announcement cards, crowns, wands, decorative pumpkins and Christmas decorations.

Each project has easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions as well as beautiful photographs of the finished pieces. A comprehensive techniques section covers all the essentials, making it suitable for sewing enthusiast at all levels, from basic beginners to advanced sewers.  The perfect project book for using up the last of a favorite fabric or to make quick projects in just a few hours of crafting.

Fat Quarter: Toys is the latest addition to a fabulous series of stash-busting sewing books. There are 25 cute and colorful toys and games to make for young children, all from fat quarters or fabric scraps. Each project has clear step-by-step instructions and beautiful accompanying photography, and there's a useful tools and techniques section for those who are new to sewing.

• Ideal for using up leftover remnants of fabric, and the projects make great gifts.
• Projects include: tiger rattle, rabbit cuddle blanket, teddy bear, fox in sleeping bag, fishing set, bean bags, stacking rings, memory game, alphabet letters, number cubes, rag doll, picnic.

Fat Quarter: Vintage is the latest addition to a fabulous series of stash-busting sewing books. Separated into five decades, from the 1930s to the 1970s, each chapter contains five projects using fat quarter fabric or scraps that reflect the era.

• Projects have clear step-by-step instructions and beautiful accompanying photography
• Includes a useful tools and technique section for those who are new to sewing
• Perfect for using the leftover remnants of fabric
• the projects make great gifts

Projects include: 1930s pin cushion, 1940s flower brooch, 1940s sewing machine cover, 1950s apron, 1950s sunglasses case, 1960s child's dress, 1970's draft stopper, 1970s shopping bag.

Flower Embroidery is a delightful collection of 20 easy-to-follow embroidered projects and over 80 different floral designs featuring flowers found in the garden and beyond.

From delightful daffodils to cheerful cherry blossoms, this book introduces readers to a range of fundamental embroidery techniques and best practices through easy-to-follow instructions, clearly defined tips and step-by-step photography. 

Each page features beautifully photographed projects which vary from pillowcases, table cloths and cutlery wraps, to aprons and picnic cloths. Projects included in this book will appeal to both beginners and more experienced embroiderers.

Whether you're a seasoned needlework enthusiast or a budding embroidery artist, this book offers a bouquet of inspiration and step-by-step guidance to create stunning floral masterpieces.

Projects include: Lavender pouches, Buttercups and Daisies Cutlery Wrap, Summer Bouquet Cushion, Honeysuckle Apron, Poppy Picnic Cloth.

Learning to embroider has never been easier! An accessible introduction to embroidery, How to Embroider is for absolute beginners. Simple-to-follow projects teach the basic skills and techniques of this fun and creative craft. Those new to embroidery will learn everything they need to get started while making the 9 pretty projects. Straightforward instructions paired with 150 illustrations and beautiful inspirational photography mean that even if you've never held and embroidery needle before, you will soon be on your way to mastering the craft.

Even with zero experience, you can do embroidery! How to Embroider teaches embroidery as you would learn it sitting at your grandmother’s knee. It introduces the basic tools, materials, and stitches you need to know and sprinkles in helpful tips to keep you on the right path. Best of all, instead of tedious repetition, you get to practice each new stitch by doing an easy but stylish project.

Basic, must-know stitches made easy. From basic running and outline stitches to filling and couching stitches, you’ll learn them all quickly by following simple, clear diagrams. You’ll also find interesting variations on basic stitches that really stand out. So, even if you’ve never done hand sewing before, you can add some very cool decorative stitching to cushions, curtains, shirts, and more.

Nine charming projects you can’t wait to make. How to Embroider opens up an exciting world of creative possibilities. You’ll learn to use fanciful stitching to put your personal touch on pillows, tea cozies, baby blankets, home accessories, and clothing. As you work your way through the book, each new technique builds on the last one until you’ve become more proficient – and you’ll also have some delightful handcrafted projects to enjoy.

Tips that a grandmother would share. Part of the popular How To series, this books weaves in a wealth of insightful information: when to use or not use an embroidery hoop and why, how to keep fabric from puckering, prevent thread from tangling, and use an old-fashioned needle threader. Whatever your needlework skills, How to Embroider deserves a place in your library – it’s packed with easy-to-understand instruction and charming projects you’ll cherish.

Learn the ins and outs of using a sewing machine with How to Machine Sew. This accessible introduction to machine sewing will teach you everything you need to get started, including basic machine stitches, making seams and hems, binding edges, and working with zippers.

In no time at all, you'll be creating beautiful and handy items to use around your home, like a pot holder, place mat, strip quilt, drawstring bag, makeup purse, pillow cover, and more. Clear step-by-step instructions, illustrations, and beautiful photography make this workshop-in-a-book ideal for the absolute beginner.

Rev up your engines and place your bobbins! Absolute beginners and those looking to sharpen their skills will How to Machine Sew. This project-based book teaches you 9 basic techniques of using a sewing machine with simple-to-follow instruction. Indispensable advice and proper know-how are jam packed on every page. You'll learn absolutely everything you need to get started, including fundamental machine stitches, making seams, and working with zippers. Clear photographs and 180 step-by-step illustrations guide you through all the techniques and each fashionable project (9 in all!), including a drawstring bag, stitched picture, and oven glove. No matter how little machine sewing experience you have, you'll soon be humming along and dazzling your friends and family with your new-found skills and stylish designs.

Learning to sew has never been easier! An accessible introduction to sewing, How to Sew is for absolute beginners. Simple-to-follow projects teach the basic skills and techniques of this fun and creative craft. New sewers will learn everything they need to get started, including how to do the necessary stitches, make seams, and add creative details and fastenings. Straightforward instructions plus clear illustrations for 9 stylish projects mean beginners with no sewing experience will soon be impressing friends and family with their new-found skills.

Projects include: bunting, tote bag, apron, padded coat hanger, basket liner, cot cover, peg bag, cushions and coffee cosy.

Open up a world of delight. Inside Knitted Woodland Creatures you'll find 15 darling backwoods beasties to choose from, each with its own whimsical personality. Since the projects vary in complexity there's a colorful creature for everyone including rabbit, mole, frog, deer, owl and beaver

• Advanced and beginners will be charmed.
• Knitters of all skill levels will enjoy these precious projects-to-make.
• All 15 projects are clearly presented with easy-to-follow instructions.
• A comprehensive and straightforward, illustrated techniques section helps you learn all the necessary skills and guide less experienced knitters.

Still Life is an accessible instruction course for complete beginners to learn how to draw and paint contemporary still-life subjects.

Following a concise guide to the tools, materials and basic techniques that every beginner needs to know (including line, tone, colour, composition and perspective), there are ten tutorials showing how to draw and paint a variety of still life subjects using beginner-friendly materials, including pencil, charcoal, coloured pencils, pen and ink, watercolour paints and watercolour pencils. Each tutorial has a list of the materials and tools required, step-by-step photographs of the work, informative text and tips and strategies for getting the best results. By working through the tutorials, you will gradually develop your skills and build confidence until you feel equipped to attempt any still life. In addition to the tutorials, you’ll find three ‘focus on’ feature spreads. These pages offer more in-depth/advanced techniques appropriate to the projects.