Beautiful designs for embroidery. I think it would work best for someone familiar with embroidery prior to reading. This would make a great gift for a crafter. Recommended for adults and collections serving adults who craft.

Lovely ideas that is inspiring to embroider. The colourful pictures were lovely addition in this book.

a beautiful book, full of sumptuous designs and techniques. Lovely to browse through for inspiration.

A Year of Embroidery is a new pictorial embroidery primer by Yumiko Higuchi. Released 4th Sept, 2018 by Roost books, it's a concise 88 pages, full color, and available in paperback format.

It's nice to see surface embroidery coming back into its own. It seemed for years that almost all of the new tutorial books were aimed at counted cross stitch or quilting. This book is laid out in a calendar format with different project sections gathered into months/seasons. There are 3 projects per 'month' with some months having an alternative colorway of one of the projects.

The projects themselves are mostly line drawings with filling stitches. Some are quite structural and border on stumpwork. They're all appealing and would be ideal for decor or clothing applications. The book is peppered with photographs for inspiration for finishing the projects.

There is a very short technique chapter between the monthly project sections and the line drawings of the patterns. This chapter also includes a few tips (how to carry thread, finishing techniques, etc) which can be utilized to make the projects easier and better.

The photography is very clear. With the diagrams, the projects should be comfortable for a keen beginner.

The line drawings of the patterns also include recommended stitch fillers.

Lovely and useful addition to the embroiderer's library. I am going to incorporate some of the line drawn motifs in the freehand areas of my next counted thread sampler.

Five stars

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I received a copy through NetGalley in exchange for review.

I have to say this is a really lovely visually stunning book of Yumiko Higuchi's embroidery designs.
A Year of Embroidery: A Month-to-Month Collection of Motifs for Seasonal Stitching is full of inspired, well thought out designs. Inspire clearly by traditions Scandinavian style traditional textile work, with some non traditional modern and traditional motifs. I found her designs very refreshing.

While I wouldn't recommend this book for the inexperienced embroider, anyone who enjoys hand work with a needle and thread will be able to easily understand and follow these patterns. Even sections about how to finish off your pieces when complete was nice to see as well.
There's a little bit of stitch breakdown, so you have the visual tools you need to follow her directions.
Each pattern is indicated throughout which kind of stitch is needed where, and which kind of thread and color is recommended. It's very well thought out a easy to follow.

I'm looking forward to the chance later in the year to try some of these wonderful designs for myself.

Artist Yumiko Higuichi's newest collection, A Year of Embroidery: A Month-to-Month Collection of Motifs for Seasonal Stitching is full of beautiful inspiration. The book begins with a stunning photo gallery highlighting each motif. Many are also shown in different applications, for example as embellishments to accessories such as a hat or a bag. In addition, several designs appear in two different forms, in both monochrome and full colour. The book includes a tutorial review of basic stitches and key techniques making it ideal for both beginners and advanced embroiderers alike. Each motif design includes an outline for tracing and includes Higuichi's inspiration as well as suggested colour placement and stitches. This book is special because the choice for how to utilize the designs is left to the embroiderer. This ensures that each reader will make the designs unique and their own. If stuck for ideas, the photo gallery provides inspiration from small zakka crafts, framed canvases, or as accent on an accessory. This is a beautiful collection that embroiderers can refer to throughout the year.

Such a beautiful book! A must buy for those who are looking for exquisite, carefully crafted embroidery projects. Every medium and large public library should purchase a copy.

This embroidery book is great for both beginners and experienced embroiderers. The patterns vary from cute and hip to more classy and traditional crewel-type designs, and many straddle that divide very well. Many can be repeated for an all-over pattern, and the author gives examples of this. The month-to-month idea is interesting, and provides a framework for the book. There are florals, leaves, stylized designs botanical designs, some people (skiiers, swimmers), a few animals, a few Christmas designs. It is a nice variety and items can be mixed and matched.

For beginning stitchers, this book features full-color photos of different stitches and text explanations, an explanation of how to transfer patterns, and a fabric suggestion (I would have liked to see more info on fabric choice). I would also have liked to see an example of how to enlarge the patterns, but most experienced stitchers likely have their favorite techniques (I do!), and most beginners are unlikely to jump in over their heads or can figure something out themselves.

There are beautiful full-color photos of all of the patterns, stitched--and several are shown in both a multi-colored color scheme and a single-color color scheme. There are also examples shown of how these patterns might be used on everyday items: a hat, tote bag, apron, hanky. And the usual display pieces. Higuchi shows a method of mounting these pieces on wood panels, which I am completely unfamiliar with and very interested in.

The patterns themselves are in the back of the book. They are done well, with nice thick lines, which are perfect for tracing.
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Thank you to NetGalley and Roost Books for providing me with an electronic galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a lovely book!
The seasonal designs give you the opportunity to try new things and enjoy what nature have to offer.
the idea to make napkins with a design for Christmas, or a framed embroidery depicting a heart for Valentine's, celebrating fall with cute pumpkins... Really amazing.
The first part shows you all the different design, next it lists the materials you will need in detail, patterns to follow, and most important, a guide of the different stitches used.
This is really a complete book filled with beautiful designs that any embroidery enthusiast will appreciate.
A great way to prepare a dinner and place it with your own embroidery napkins and mantel piece.
Aprons that could serve as hand made gifts and do many more ideas.

The designs in this book are beautiful! Gives a quick refresher for those who may not have embroidered in a while. I'm not sure if this would be a great book for a total beginner, but if they're determined, I think it would be fine! Love it. Probably will purchase.

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

A Year of Embroidery is simply beautiful ... one of the prettiest books around! It offers an array of motifs for elegant seasonal stitching. Follow the course of a year—from snow flowers in January to lily of the valley in May, a collection of seed pods in October, trumpeting angels in December—to add seasonal elan to embroidery projects, one lovelier than the next. Designer Yumiko Higuchi offers easy-to-follow instructions and detailed diagrams for 38 patterns with sweet imagery and a lively feel. For all skill levels. 5/5

Thanks to Roost Books and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.

#AYearOfEmbroidery #NetGalley

This is one of the most inspiring embroidery books I have ever seen. The photographs of the stitchwork are gorgeous and the designs have tons of detail without looking too difficult to excecute. The instructions are very thorough; the templates at the back even include the floss colors used in the samples. There is a good embroidery primer section at the back of the book for those new to the craft. One of the best embroidery books out there. It has inspired me to pick up my needle again. Highly recommended!

A Year of Embroidery by Yumiko Higuchi is a wonderful book full of embroidery/stitchery patterns in the clean, Japanese style. Yumiko has been inspired by nature and the seasons in this book, and that’s exactly what you get: gorgeous flowers, wintery landscapes, summer beach feelings, butterflies and pumpkins. And sometimes there are small funny additions that make you giggle. You look at a design of people skiing and then you are like: “wait... is that an icebear skiing?” Yes, yes, it was. Awesome.

There is much variety, from very fine, thin lines to bold designs, and they all work together. The pictures are very beautiful, very clean/Japanese, and you get lots of ideas how to use the patterns. Of course you can use it for more than just a pretty hoop on the wall, but it’s always so hard to imagine what to do with a particular embroidery! Cute bags, hats, aprons, etc. And there are also different shapes, round and rectangular, and small patterns that go really well together however you place them, and even a filler pattern, so you can pick what you need. There are so many designs I want to make, I can’t choose! I really love the people swimming (and a mermaid), the lily’s of the valley, the cactii, the beach wreath and christmas stars and butterflies. See, this is why I can’t choose lol!

This book is also well suited for a beginner, basic stitches are used and they are very well explained in the back. I also loved the tutorial on how to frame a piece, since that seems to be skipped over in most books and it is really the finishing touch. I’m also very curious about tracing with chalk paper, I’ve never done that before but I’m going to check if it’s available here.

All in all, I loved this book, and I’m definitely gonna make a lot of patterns from this book, which is about the highest praise you can get I think. It comes out on September 4th, 2018, and I’ll be sure to preorder this to get a physical copy, too! The e-ARC has been given to me by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

I love all the patterns and themes for each month and look forward to trying some out myself. I also like how there is instructions for stiches and a guide for each pattern.

This is a very well planned book, filled with ideas. Several seasons and holidays are represented in non traditional ways, like Halloween/.fall with just pumpkins instead of witches or more typical images. There are lots of plants to choose from, and even some cacti which I found useful. The beachy theme was my favourite though, and one I'll likely use. The images are relevant, easy to follow, and applicable for many projects. This book is definitely worth a look.

‘A Year of Embroidery’ by Higuchi Yumiko is my first book by Yumiko. Well after reading this beautiful book I am going to investigate her other embroidery books. There is a surge in the craft world to return to handwork. Ms. Yumiko has a very unique style which is very pleasing to the eye and aesthetically pleasing.

The premise of the book is to give the reader embroidery to complete throughout the year. The projects are colorful, whimsical and inspiring. There are skiing bears, to spring flowers, to trumpeting angels. These embroidery motifs can be used as art or help transform clothing and accessories.

The explanation and instruction are excellent and precise. Having embroidered for years, it is nice to see instructions so clear written. Given that fact, the book would be wonderful for beginner embroiderers as well as more advanced ones.

There are 38 beautiful designs with detailed pattern diagrams. There are also suggestions regarding what type of materials to use and how to prepare and transfer the designs.

I would like to thank Ms. Yumiko, Roose books and Penguin Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC for an honest review.

This is an absolutely awesome book, the design are beautiful, simple but so effective. The instructions are fabulous, although a little bit of knowledge would be an advantage.
I just love the designs and the very creative way very simple stitches are used to create such wonderful pieces of embroidery. Absolutely love the cacti, so very much on-trend at present
Very highly recommended

Adorable embroidery for every season, from cacti and swimmers to lions and vegetables. Full-page photographs of each design and (seemingly) easy-to-follow illustrated patterns.

This is a beautiful book! I think it might be the first embroidery book I’ve read where I’ve wanted to stitch EVERY pattern. The style is very spare, clean, and deceptively easy looking. Gorgeous!

This book is absolutely adorable! The patterns are not super complex, but are super cute. I liked the ideas shown as well- swimmers on a hat band, and spring flowers on a market bag. I can’t wait to try one of the designs- possibly in crewel, though of course that deviates from the models a bit.