How to Embroider Almost Everything

A cheerful, project-oriented motif sourcebook with more than 500 modern designs for embroidering people, pets, plants, food, everyday objects, and more. Wendi Gratz brings two decades of experience as a craft designer and children’s book illustrator to a book that makes embroidery feel playful rather than fussy.

Why Start Here

If you already know the basic stitches and want something to actually make, this is your book. Gratz opens with a concise stitch tutorial section that covers the essentials, then dives into page after page of motifs organized by theme. Each motif includes a list of which stitches to use and where, so you learn by doing rather than by drilling technique in isolation.

The style is modern and approachable. These are not your grandmother’s cross-stitch florals. The motifs range from simple line drawings you can finish in an evening to more detailed compositions that will stretch your skills. The book works especially well if you want to personalize gifts, decorate clothing, or create framed pieces with a contemporary feel.

What to Expect

A compact paperback at 128 pages. The stitch instruction section at the front is brief but clear, covering about a dozen essential stitches. The bulk of the book is the motif collection. You will need basic supplies (hoop, fabric, needles, embroidery floss) but nothing specialized. This is an excellent companion to a technique-focused reference like Ganderton’s stitch guide, giving you the “what to make” to go alongside the “how to stitch.”