Embroidery suppliesEmbroidery threads, sewing machings and embroidery supplies

Embroidery Stitches by Mary Webb is a very useful reference tool. After a basic overview of materials, and tools, the author does a wonderful job of demonstrating different stitches. The multicolor threads on each illustration make each stitch easy to follow. Also the author includes a few notes about the uses of each stitch which is very helpful.

The stitches are also organized well. Stitches for borders are together, filling stitches are together, etc. The author also included stitches used for ribbon embroidery.

My only criticism of this book is it’s size. It is 5.75″ wide by 6.75″ high by 1″ thick, and perfect bound. While the smaller size may make it easier to carry around in one’s stitching bag, I would prefer something more like 8″ x 10″ and spiral bound so it wouldn’t be so thick and I could lay it open flat.
Rating: 5 / 5

Wow! This is one of the best books on embroidery stitch patterns I have ever seen. The photos and instructions were clear and well written. I must admit, I reached for fabric and thread almost immediately to try out some of the more unusual stitches. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning new and/or traditional embroidery stitches.
Rating: 5 / 5

Before I purchased this book, I was hoping for some detailed instructions on embrodery stitches. The book has some detail, but not enough. The most basic stitches are detailed, but then when the patterns get more involved the visual step-by-step instructions disappear and there is only the written instructions with a picture of the stitch, and unless you are very familiar with embrodery jargon, you could get lost. I was wanting to duplicate the embrodery stitch on the front cover and the instructions just weren’t explicit enough, so I had to stare at the picture to figure out how the pattern was accomplished. It would also be more helpful if the book had some sort of index. You have to go page by page to find the pattern you want. For instance, I just wanted to find out what a whipped back stitch was, and I had to go through the pages one at a time to find the diagram. I don’t recommend this one for beginners unless you can figure out how to do something by looking at the pretty pictures.
Rating: 3 / 5

Personally, I don’t believe this is a very user-friendly book.

Perhaps it’s the size of the book/color choices used in the samples/how everything seems to be crammed in/how the second half of the book is done with ribbon/etc, etc, etc, but maybe that’s just me.

I would recommend trying to find this at a bookstore and previewing it before purchasing.
Rating: 3 / 5