Embroidery, Another Path in your Fiber Journey- Review of Hoop Dreams, Modern Hand Embroidery
We all have a story of how we began our relationship with fiber. The person who taught us, the reason we learned, and our first experiences all shape the start of our journey with fiber. Yes, we talk about knitting and crochet pretty much all of the time BUT there are other ways to use fibers to make beautiful things. Join me today in reviewing Hoop Dreams, Modern Hand Embroidery as I show you another way to use fibers.
*This post contains affiliate links. By clicking on one of these links and making a purchase a portion will go to the blog. The price you pay will not change and the small commission I receive helps me to keep brining you free content and giveaways on the blog. Thank you for your continued support.*
What is Embroidery:
Many of you may know what embroidery is, or know what it used to be. Just as we have seen drastic changes in the knit and crochet world we are also seeing changes going on with hand embroidery.
Embroidery, in simple terms, is the art of decorating fabric using a needle to create the thread designs. Embroidery most commonly uses thread but can be done with other materials as well.
Some embroidery also includes beads, sequins or other embellishments.
A Look Inside Hoop Dreams-Modern Hand Embroidery:
Hoop Dreams-Modern Hand Embroidery by Cristin Morgan has 20 beautiful hand embroidery projects. This book is a stylish embroidery guide for the moder maker. You will find the basics of 10 classic stitches and then how to use them to create 20 projects. A glossary of more than 50 patterns and motifs are also included in the book. A BONUS of the book is the 10 carbon transfer papers for quick transfer of patterns to fabric.
Cristin Morgan, the author, is an accessories designer turned contemporary embroidery artist. You can find her work at marigoldandmars.com and on Instagram. Be sure to follow along with her as she inspires you to create beautiful pieces.
My first to make projects from the book include the Rainbow Hoop, the Tote Bag with Pom-Pom Charm and the Pattern Play Pendant. Cristin and the publishers didn’t forget about us when it comes to working the designs on our own. In the back of the book you will find all the fonts and patterns that she used that you can copy onto your own pieces.
Starting off in the book Cristin walks you through the materials that you will need. All beginners are welcome to this book and will learn a lot along the way. The book is then broken out into four ‘chapters’ each building on the techniques from the previous chapter.
Hoop Dreams Chapters:
Chapter 1 is ‘Just Hoops’ and the patterns there are simple to get you started in working with different materials and stitches. Chapter 2, ‘For Your Home’, shows you how to move your embroidery from the traditional hoop work to work on other surfaces. In the for your home chapter you will find projects for pillows, art work and more. In chapter 3, ‘For You’, you will find projects that are meant to be worn or used. Included in this chapter are patterns to embroider on clothing, pins, jewelry and bags.
Finishing up the book they have chapter 4, ‘Techniques and Stitch Dictionary’. Not only do they have pages where you can copy fonts and images to transfer to your project but they also have a reference section for all of your future projects. I always love a craft book that takes the time to give you all the tools that you need. Yes, the patterns are great to make and for inspiration, but when you want to move on and make your own things it is always important to have a reference section to return to at a later time.
Purchase Hoop Dreams:
Giveaway:
The publisher of Hoop Dreams, Modern Hand Embroidery has give us one copy of the book to giveaway to one of our lucky followers! Read the fine print below and enter for you chance to win!
FINE PRINT: Giveaway is open to US residents only. Entries will be accepted until Monday April 7, 2018 at midnight MST. You must use the rafflecopter form below to be entered to win. We will contact you from email address that you use to enter to win.
Also on the Blog:
Follow Marly:
Categories: Beading and Jewelry, Dibble Dabble Inspiration
I haven’t embroidered anything before, but I would love to create a piece with my new married last name “Jackson.” I’d also like to make a Jackson piece for my sister & brother in law, and the craft lovers on his side of the family.
I love embroidery! I learned when I was 10. I would love to win a copy of this beautiful book! I like the fact that you are including embroidery in you blog. Thanks for the chance to win!
I started hand embroidery at a very young age. The first thing I made was a dresser runner with matching embroidery on either end. This was the iron decal onto linen. I haven’t done it in years, but since purchased a machine embroidery machine. I would love to get back to it.
I have never embroidered. I have watched it be done on video and I have been amazed at what can be done.
Flowers!
I learned embroidery when a child from my grandma.
I hand embroidered a bit when I was younger. My mother did some as well, so I followed along with her. When she had to stop doing it, I didn’t stick with it. I have picked it back up again a little , using it sometimes on quilted wall hangings or quilted placemats. Would love to win this book and maybe pick it back up some more.
I use to cross stitch but never did embroidery. Not sure what my first embroidery project would be if I won.
I never have tried Embroidery so my first project would have to be something small.
I have embroidered ever since I was a young teen,about 45 year ago!. I have used transfers and also freeform embroidery. I like counted cross stitch and crewel. I have embroidered pillow cases, doll clothes, pictures/wall hangngs, jeans, purses and pretty much anything one would want a splash of color on. I have also embroidered on my knitted and crocheted items.
Hi Marley. Thank you for this awesome giveaway. I taught myself embroidery using kits for kids then eventually progressing. Sadly I haven’t pulled out my hoops and threads out since I picked up crocheting again. I’ve noticed a renewed interest around the web.
Oh, what fun so many things can be embroidered.