Left-handed stitchery

Left-Handed Stitchery

Sally Cowan

Schiffer Publishing

For most of us, we take for granted the copious amount of embroidery guides, all focused at what could be seen as the ‘normal’ stitcher - right handed is a given, not a question we ever ask. But what about those who do not fit? Should the 15% of the population who are yes, left handed (okay not all into stitching but you get the point) Be just overlooked as too little a number to be bothered by? Cowan and Schiffer publishing certainly don’t hold this opinion.

The book’s size

It is only 61 pages long, very humble, a little paperback - but oh so vital in its power.

The book’s content

45 different stitches.

96 drawings, which are so clear I find it a relief.

Imagine if you were one of the here by forgotten, the left handed who looked at all those embroidery books and found it such a struggle to make a connection - this is not a lack of anything on their part - a lack on the publishing world if anything. Yet Schiffer and the author have given those stitchers a voice - not such a humble book now!

All the diagrams are in black and white - they are timeless yet this book makes me think of traditional embroidery guides - but those have become the longest living - often it is the simply timeless over the colourful and fashion worthy which make the biggest dent in the embroidery world.

The stitch types are not all simple - this gives the stitcher time to grow.

The best bit?

I have to admit I have a slight bias to this book. I showed it to my own mother and we shed a tear for the grandmother and mother we loved and lost - who yes, was a left handed stitcher and would have loved this book so much. I too have taken on a little of her left handed natures, I use both, so I can well use this book myself.

Left-Handed Stitchery by Sally Cowan is available now through this link.