Learn to Embroider with These Stitch Guides

Follow embroidery artists on Instagram? Thinking of starting a new hobby or already know a few basic stitches? Check out these great books on embroidery to get started. In terms of fiber arts, embroidery is a great medium to begin with. It’s more forgiving than knitting or crochet, it requires less muscle memory, and you'll see results quickly! 

Embroidery is a great stitch dictionary. This title contains 200 stitches with step-by-step photographs, with no need to pause a YouTube video. The photographs pause in all the right places.

Totally new to embroidery and want to pace to yourself? Start off with Alicia Burstein’s 10 Easy Stitches and see how much you can create with just a basic knowledge of a few stitches!

You will not find patterns for your grandmother’s embroidered tea towels in Edgy Embroidery. This title makes good on its promise of cutting-edge embroidery patterns.

Embroidered Effects, by the well-known self-taught embroidery artist Jenny Hart (@sublimestitching) contains stitch guides and patterns that have both a vintage and modern look. Try the fan dancer shower curtain pattern that recalls Sally Rand’s costume (or lack of one) at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.

What new stitch will you try first?