Cozy Stitches: 12 Calm & Creative Embroidery Projects for Absolute Beginners & Beyond
Celeste Johnston
Schiffer Publishing Ltd
As I am writing my review isn the autumn, this book sits will all around me in a marriage of the pumpkin spice, red golden fallen leaves vibe. It is 168 pages long and has a consistent colour palette, of pastel and apricot and all things in this wheel. Think of all the beauty of the season from September - that is this book.
For this reason - I questioned if it was a time worthy companion, something to be only brought out at certain times of year or if its factor was a novelty not a long life. Was I right? Or would I be proven wrong?
Where this book has come from - meet the author
Johnston is an artist as well as a writer, she continues to make, so will have consistent experience to offer. She has written for many magazines we will have at least heard of, such as Mollie Makes. Having read titles myself and having written for them in my past, I am aware of the feel and layout and now looking at this book, it is a lovely similar flow…so if you like the Daphnes’ Diary and Mollie Makes sort of homely curl up reading - you will love to work along with Johnston via this book. Her life as a ‘content creator’ (check out her instagram via her shop name Lemon Made Shop) Really shows off her design skills and also is a good visual tool to consider before purchasing this book. She has that open friendly quality….
Key content
None of it is surprising, but that is a reassurance - we get a cosy warm book. However she curates her version of comfortable very well.
Introduction, help to get started, a variety of projects, even support on colour theory as well as an embroidery guide for those a little new.
I particularly like at the beginning how she shows how to make a sampler to try out all the different embroidery stitches on one piece of fabric - the concept of it to look like a quilt is quite sweet and a good idea to explore for me as a teacher.
There are twelve projects - enough to do but not enough to feel overwhelming.
The books vibe
Steered at the positive, mental health message giving…. for example meditative Mandelas, affirmations to sew and plant where we will see them….lots of calming feels throughout….imagine a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows on a crisp day - that’s the fill of these pages.
Who is this book good for?
If you want to play with a certain style and look, maybe even as a more mature artist, this is definitely a lovely read.
If you are completely new, this book has the enthusiasm and reassurance you will need.
Great as a gift for those you know who are in the craft loving centre of things - it is not too out there, its safe, but still unique.
What would I use it for?
I will be keeping mine in my library for my teaching, as I think it is a lovely way of showing students how to use their just learned skills in action - its so much nicer than a black and white stitch diagram - this is learning for a point!