The stitches are explained with some very clear diagrams each with a caption complete with the sort of helpful hints you don’t usually see in books of stitches but which are very useful for beginners. I really LOVE the full-sized iron-on pattern idea, and the little pocket to put the used patterns in!

There are 12 large designs (sized to fit perfectly in 6 inch embroidery hoops) and 12 small designs, which you can use as decorative motifs on other sewing projects or frame in mini Dandelyne hoops (if you've not heard of these, they're fab mini embroidery-hoop style frames perfect for making embroidered necklaces and other jewellery). It even has some great patterns in the back that really helped me break that barrier from useless to Hey, I actually can do this! It is therefore important that your browser is configured to accept cookies for your preferences to take effect. The stitches are explained with some very clear diagrams each with a caption complete with the sort of helpful hints you dont usually see in books of stitches but which are very useful for beginners. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others.

Each of the mini patterns have a common theme: The Explorers, The Gardeners, and The Artists, and I love that each of the mini hoops has a female name- it gives them a nice dash of personality. A bit disappointing, the patterns are rather heavily printed, some too intricate to stitch and no good colour pictures linked to the patterns. To enjoy all that Hobbycraft has to offer, please enable cookies or check whether another programme is blocking them.

I love the fact that the patterns are included for easy transfer, it drive me nuts when I have to enlarge/print out/in any way prepare a pattern before I can use it. Ever since Carina mentioned that she was designing a book of mandalas, I’ve been waiting to see what she came up with, and I wasn’t disappointed! life is a bit crazy right now and was wondering if anyone connected mandalas and embroidery as a sort of stitching meditation session. This book is beautifully styled and photographed, and I couldn’t stop paging through again and again to admire the variety of mandala-inspired patterns.

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