I recently picked up The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: A Romance in Stitches and Embroidery by Natalie Chanin at my local library, and I knew right away I had to share my thoughts. As someone who loves hand-sewing and embroidery, this book felt like an absolute gem—packed with insights that transformed the way I think about stitches.
This beautifully illustrated guide dives deep into the world of hand-sewing, but with a twist: it shows how all stitches are rooted in geometric grid systems. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced stitcher, the breakdown of techniques makes learning easy, and the step-by-step instructions are clear enough to follow even for those who are new to hand-sewing. What truly sets this book apart is how it connects basic stitches with more complex ones, encouraging you to experiment and create your own designs.
The authors, Natalie Chanin and Sun Young Park, really take the time to explain the importance of tools and how they can make your stitching process even more enjoyable. There are over 100 stitches covered in this book—from basic straight stitches to more elaborate ones like herringbone and feather. What’s even better is the addition of two plastic stitching cards with grids, which are perfect for practicing stitches and experimenting with new techniques. I found this feature to be a game-changer, making it feel like I had a hands-on instructor guiding me as I worked through the lessons.
The chapters are well-structured, and I particularly loved the sections on manipulating grids and enhancing stitches. It truly opened up a new world of possibilities for me, and I’ve found myself using these techniques in my own sewing projects. The book has a thoughtful balance of design theory and hands-on practice, making it a great resource for any stitcher.
If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of embroidery and hand-sewing or just want to improve your skills, I highly recommend this book. It’s more than just a collection of stitches—it’s an invitation to fall in love with the process of making, and trust me, after reading it, you’ll feel inspired to get stitching!
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