Book Giveaway: Stitch-Opedia

Photo: St Martin's Press, 2010

Embroidery adds something beautiful to any project, but can be a bit of an overwhelming task for a beginner. Helen Winthorpe Kendrick's Stitch-opedia is a complete guide to embroidery techniques.

Stitch-opedia details hundreds of embroidery stitches and techniques. The stitches are sorted into categories for easy reference, and each is detailed with beautiful color photographs and diagrams. Stitch-opedia explains the equipment, techniques and stitches for basic embroidery motifs and is a wonderful go-to reference for any embroiderer. The book also contains a collection of motifs that can be either copied or transfered to fabric for embroidery design.

As someone that knows almost nothing about hand embroidery, I found this book to be a wonderful guide to basic embroidery stitches. There are a lot of techniques out there, and Stitch-opedia is a great reference for learning them.

You could be one of two randomly selected winners. Threads will send Stitch-opedia to TWO lucky winners. To enter, FIRST CHANGE YOUR AVATAR associated with your Threads ID from one of our stock images to one of your own. It can be a picture of you, something you made, or even an illustration. If you already have an avatar with an original image, you can enter the drawing now by simply leaving a comment.

To change your avatar, click on "My Threads" above. Next, click on "Edit My Settings" in the upper right corner of the window. Then, click "Change Your Profile Image" and upload the image of your choice from your computer. The image can be up to 4 MB or 1,200 pixels.

To enter the drawing, leave a comment displaying a personal avatar. Leave a comment on this post before the deadline—11:59 pm, Monday, July 19—and you could be one of the TWO lucky winners who will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday, July 21.

Tori Sandifer, contributor
Posted on Jul 6th, 2010 in design, embellishments, embroidery

Comments (31)

DKMC writes: Added Avatar...Like it? Hand crocheted from an old pattern book publish in 1957 using a matte cotton thread, the unmercerized type. I LOVE Threads and hand dabbled in lots of types of needlework over the years; started embroidering at age 6, started crocheting at age 8, been sewing since I was 14, discovered cross-stitching in the early 1980's, started quilting in my early 20's, done a little needlepoint, stenciling, latch-hooking, and finaly learned to knit about 5-6 years ago. What should I try next, tatting? or weaving?
Posted: 11:44 am on September 20th

Alisia writes: Hi Threads,
Many years ago I learned needle work from my dear grandmother who just past September a year ago. I was very lucky to be with her for 48 years. She tought me alot the old fashion way. And now that I have see the book looks like I need to catch up. I am disabled and need to do something with my hand to keep me busy. So I would be very greatful for the book. Just found a couple of patterns last night to put on pillow cases to do for my parent 50th Anniversary.
Thank you for the opportunaty to win this book.
Posted: 4:40 am on October 17th

hotstc writes: Wow, this book looks fantastic. I do hand and machine embroidery and am excited to see this book. There are so many books out there but not very many good ones.
Posted: 12:34 am on September 21st

kskomer writes: Looks like a great book. I don't have good embroidery skills but this book looks like I could improve.
Posted: 11:05 am on August 7th

Bre22 writes: This would be a really great addition for my library. Hope I win. :)
Posted: 9:06 pm on July 30th

Sneddy writes: Used to do a lot of embroidery as a kid and would love to get back into it again. Remember those embroidered denium work shirts? Great fun.
Posted: 8:05 pm on July 18th

Sneddy writes: Used to do a lot of embroidery as a kid and would love to get back into it again. Remember those embroidered denium work shirts? Great fun.
Posted: 8:04 pm on July 18th

eeamende writes: This book looks pretty sweet. I love the umbrellas. So cute. I've been trying to get more into hand embroidery and a book like this might help me along my way.
Posted: 6:46 pm on July 13th

LadyRay writes: I love all handwork. This would be a wonderful addition to my library!!!
Posted: 1:29 pm on July 13th

ShiningStar writes: I'm just learning this craft. This book will come in handy.
Posted: 11:57 am on July 12th

maptome writes: would love to get my hands on this book.
Posted: 11:53 am on July 12th

NinaC writes: Me me me, please! I'd love to have this book!
Posted: 2:37 pm on July 11th

Katys_Mom writes: Looks great!
Thanks, Threads.
Posted: 9:42 pm on July 10th

Luxiraj writes: I have been yearning to learn embroidery for long. This book could just be the right impetus to it.
Posted: 12:27 pm on July 10th

upreti99 writes: this book looks awesome! i'm feeling lucky!
Posted: 6:45 pm on July 9th

mic42 writes: The internet is a great resource but there's nothing like a good reference book!
Posted: 4:43 pm on July 9th

Ashford writes: I want to learn to sew clothing that expresses my personality and I like crafts that are done by hand using simple tools. Learning how to embroider would meet both criteria.

I learn many things from web sites, such as Threads; but nothing replaces a good reference book for quick access and repeated use.
Posted: 7:07 pm on July 8th

annielizabeth writes: Hi, I would love to have this reference book. I've been wanting to embellish a jacket with embroidery and have needed a good book with stitches I could follow so it would turn out professional looking.
Posted: 4:37 pm on July 8th

Kstana writes: I'd love to have an modern version of stitch guides.
Posted: 2:29 pm on July 8th

CndFrnd writes: I've been looking at this book, I'd love to win it!
Posted: 4:54 pm on July 7th

annenet writes: I'm an avid Threads reader - have the DVD and also a lot of the issues, early ones thanks to my Mother in Law downsizing. This book looks great! It would kick up my creativity a big notch!
Posted: 11:11 am on July 7th

cindy_sews writes: I love hand work, and I would love to have this book. Thanks for the review. I would have probably never know about this book otherwise.
Posted: 10:53 pm on July 6th

bluepenguin writes: This book looks great!
Posted: 9:26 pm on July 6th

Jookie writes: I would love to have a nice stitch encyclopaedia!
Posted: 7:27 pm on July 6th

LauPre writes: Oh man! this book is awesome. I borrowed it from the library and have been dreading the due date! I've got to add this one to my bookshelf.
Posted: 6:55 pm on July 6th

Balazs writes: I love threads!
Posted: 6:34 pm on July 6th

AdelaideB writes: This bok looks amazing!
Posted: 6:01 pm on July 6th

WillaMcNeill writes: Have enjoyed Threads for years.

Would love to have this book. I picture a Harris Tweed jacket (that was my husband's years and pounds ago) with silk ribbon embroidery for my daughter! This should help.

Thanks,
Posted: 5:42 pm on July 6th

littleblackpot writes: I love embroidery! As much as I love it, I get stuck in the same ol' routine of simple stitches. This book would be the bomb to get me out of the rut!
Posted: 5:29 pm on July 6th

jacesgrammie writes: THREADS is the only magazine I get and I always read every bit of it. I received the DVD collection for my birthday and have started to reread them all over again.
Posted: 5:24 pm on July 6th

PeanutBudder writes: Hi there!
I just made this awesome skirt from a pair of wicked striped jeans found at a consignment store. I love butterflies, and with those crazy colours I couldn't resist adding a pair of them to the center panel of the skirt.

Posted: 1:05 pm on July 6th

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