{Book Review} Coloring With Thread

Seriously you can't make me do this. That was the very thought in my mind when Jodi (the content editor of F+W & The Quilting Company) emailed me about sending a book all about embroidery. "You've got to see it. It's a really beautiful book." Jodi told me.

Oh well, she's so so right.

I am completely in love with all the projects in this "Coloring with Thread" book. I mean, how can the animals and florals look so artistic yet pretty in their very own way? However, I was daunted by the fact that I was not too good in embroidery. Well, I have never stitched a full embroidery piece of work. It has always been small flowers to go with patchwork pouches. I shared my fear for hand embroidery with Jodi but she was so reassuring and encouraging that made me wanted to just give it a go.

And this is what I chose: Topiary.

This is the actual picture from the book. What an exquisite work of art.

Here's my try for Topiary.

What do you think? 

I kinda like how it turned out.

I did not follow all the stitches and opted out some illustrations.

Since I did not have much time to continue stitching the inner petals, I chose to use a fabric to appliqué. *Fabric from Lecien*

Work in progress: I started but stopped sewing for a few days because I did not know how to proceed. A struggle initially but a breeze followed. *Embroidery Thread from DMC*

Halfway through sewing, I realised I could do better by doing a branch stitch instead of normal back stitching to outline the branches.

And then painting the flowers was too rigid until the idea came to me that I could guide the needle in between the stitches for a more realistic picture. Can you see from the close up photo?

It felt so good doing French knots properly for the first time. I did not want to stop.

Trying to be as neat at the back as the front.

The most important point is, I finally tried doing a full hand embroidery!

The stitch guide and instructions were wonderful and very clear which helped me a lot in understanding different embroidery stitches and when to use them. 

What I have learnt from hand embroidery this project is, there's no right or wrong. You just stitch to your hearts content! I tried following the tracings initially but the pen markings faded after a day or two. When I retraced, the positions were not as accurate anymore so I had to draw with naked eye. So I just roughly outlined the florals and branches and started sewing in my own way. It was the most liberating and peaceful moment ever to sew like you are painting a picture. I was completely in awe with myself for stitching without thinking much. 

This is an amazing book you should get if you would like to try hand embroidery even if it's for the first time. You will be do motivated and inspired to try even more embroidery projects as you move on.

Thank you The Quilting Company for this wonderful opportunity to try hand embroidery! 

Coloring with Thread will be available from December 20. You can get this from here and here and here.

xx