Book Review: The Art of Embroidery

I put off buying this book, The Art of Embroidery, for awhile.  Even though it has gorgeous photography and is full of inspiration, I kept telling myself that I don't need to buy another craft book.  But, I kept thinking about it.  Whenever I saw it in the bookstore I'd pull it off the shelf and slowly thumb through one beautiful page after another.  I tried to remember all the ideas and techniques but my brain is on overload as it is so that wasn't working.  One late evening, I pulled it up on Amazon and, well, darn that "one-click" purchasing.  Two days later I had it in my hands. 

The first part of the book focuses on the basics of embroidery while the second half explores design composition and interpretation.  Images from nature lay next to their embroidered translation.  Mimosa blossoms inspire seeding, bullion stitches and beading while grass lends itself to whipped running stitch in shadowy grays.

Ruffled cabbage becomes a scarf.  Brilliant.

The author, Francoise Tellier-Loumagne, has a wonderful straightforward writing style (even though that may be due to its translation from French) which I really appeciate.  If you enjoy Japanese craft books and Marie Claire Idees for their new take on traditional styles then you would probably like this book too.

I love these quotes from the author:

"To embroider is to look, analyse [sic], choose, explore and translate."

"To embroider is to express yourself."

Comments

[Caro]

what an amazing book ! Thank you for sharing it with us. I love you little pincushions too.

[Tan My]

Thank you very much for these informations!

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[rhembein]

WOW! I have been looking for a great embroidery book to get me inspired! I think I will need to make sure we order that into the shop so I can flip through it too!!

~gyl

[Scribbles & Bits]

I am so late on commenting on this, but I'm glad you reviewed this book. I saw it on Amazon, but haven't been able to flip through it, but based on the cover I loved it. Now I REALLY love it!

[Angie]

Oooh, that looks like a good one! Put that on my list :-)

[Tiel]

OHHHHHH! now that looks amazing. I think I just fell in love...must check it out.

[star]

wow you sound just like me. i did the exact same thing. i would go in borders, go to the craft book section , grab a couple of books and that one. and then flip through it. over and over again. i just could never bring myself to pay so much. until a couple of days ago. i finally just HAD to! and i'm not sorry i did.

[katie]

Love this book! Have it from the library now, and I don't know how I will be able to give it back. Will be on my wish-list, and when my Amazon Visa card gives me another gift certificate reward, this may be the book that I choose! (The wish list is long. . . ) EVERYONE should buy this book!

[jonipossinj]

I love what I see of the book. I was just on my way to Amazon anyway... and I'm very familiar with One Click Checkout. See how appealing you made the book look!!!
Joni

[Gemma]

I have been backwards and forwards over this book so many times. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and accept that I am going to end up with it and it should be sooner rather than later!

[tea time and roses]

I must have this book! Your photos are so beautiful...just lovely. Thank you so much!

Smiles...

Beverly

[tina]

I also have a craft book addiction. It starts small, cookbooks etc. But it just grows until you can't help it anymore!

[Chara Michele]

I have this on my wishlist:)

[Josie]

I just bought this book too and I love it. So many wonderful inspiration photos. Good choice !

[meg]

I was very excited to find out my library has a copy, but also quite a long waiting list. Thanks for giving us a look inside. I can't wait to see what it inspires you to do.

[bitter Betty]

I am so loving my embroidery right now. what a lovely review. Thanks!

[futuregirl]

Beautiful pictures. I'm putting this on my wish list!

[Ellen]

I have this book. It is gorgeous. Of course, I haven't done anything with it except ponder and wipe the drool off the corner of my mouth :)

[Courtney]

wow, that looks fantastic!

[mimi k]

I am loving this book- going through it slowly. I even had a coffee date with a friend where we went through the book together and discussed what we saw. I still haven't gotten to the 2nd half of the book! It's inspiring.

[b from knitting harvest]

Your new banner is wonderful, that book is such a find, and the little things do make the biggest impact sometimes.

[Megan]

What an absolutely stunning book.

[Suzi]

A friend bought me this book for my birthday last year, it's really amazing! I love the leaves on the front cover - the same small shape repeated in different stitches giving different effects and textures!!

[Jade]

Not to be narky or anything, but just so you know, analyse is the correct spelling in countries that use the Queen's English.