This book is simply gorgeous. I'm already a big fan of Kazuko Aoki's embroidery patterns, so it's very exciting to see another book of hers translated into English (although, I admit that I'm enough of a fan-girl to have previously bought some of her pattern books directly from Japan - but obviously there's some guesswork involved since I don't speak Japanese.)

The first half of Embroidered Kitchen Garden is filled with beautiful photographs of hand embroidery that you'll be able to recreate yourself, they are so incredibly pretty. The theme is based on vegetables, herbs and flowers, there's also a section on garden visitors (I'm weirdly excited to stitch some wood lice, even though they terrify me!) and there's a little bit of information about each of the items, which is a lovely touch.

The second half of the book is made up of easy to follow templates (I generally just copy/sketch them free-hand onto the fabric in pencil rather than tracing as they're all easy to draw and it's nice to add your own touch), patterns and instructions. There's an illustrated guide for every stitch you'll need to use, a list of tools needed (embroidery hoop, threads, needles, fabric, etc.) and lots of helpful tips. Kazuko uses DMC brand embroidery threads and the colour codes for everything you'll need are included if you want to buy the same ones, but you don't have to use these, it's perfectly okay to use any embroidery thread and unbranded/inexpensive ones are fine, especially for practice.

For anybody new to embroidery who might be thinking this book is too advanced for you - it really isn't! This is actually deceptively easy, just jump straight into it. Everything takes practice, you really can't go wrong as long as you have the basic materials - use whatever colours you like! The possibilities for things to embroider these beautiful motifs onto are endless; tea towels, tote bags, clothing, table cloths, wash cloths, pillow cases, etc. Personally I like to leave them in the embroidery hoop and display them as they are - these also make lovely and unique gifts.

Thank you so much to Zakka Workshop, Kazuko Aoki and Netgalley for an E-ARC of this book.

Fantastic pictures and lovely ideas for a simple cute garden design to add to almost anything. Will use these ideas when I get into embroidery for sure!

Embroidered Kitchen Garden is a new tutorial guide for surface embroidery by Kazuko Aoki. Originally published in Japanese in 2017, this English translation is due out 1st Sept. 2019 from Zakka Workshop. It's 104 pages and will be available in paperback format.

The author/artist's work is delicate and realistic. This is the third book from Zakka Workshop featuring her botanical surface embroidery designs. This one (see cover) features colorful vegetables and herbs, along with some insects and other garden creatures.These would be wonderful on table linens, decorative thread paintings, clothing, soft furnishings, and many other uses.

Roughly the first half of the book is a photo gallery of the included designs. Some are pictured as they are in the templates at the back of the book, and some are positioned in garden-scapes together. There is an herb garden composition with a beehive, herbs, and even a tree with a bird and birdhouse that is lovely and colorful.

The gallery of designs is followed by a how-to materials and stitching tutorial with stitch diagrams and tips for using the included pattern templates. These are clear enough to be accessible to beginning embroiderers. The designs themselves aren't overly simple, but they're well diagrammed in the templates with recommended stitches and colors. The thread recommendations are for DMC mouline (6 strand floss), but conversions for silks or specialty fibres are available online for more advanced or adventurous stitchers.

There's a short list of included plants at the back of the book with common, botanical (Latin) names, and indigenous locations included for further inspiration. The artist's afterword was interesting also (she's a gardener and takes inspiration from nature and her own garden).

Really pretty designs, well drawn and appealing.

Five stars.