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Home»Embroidery»Upgrade your stitching skills with these modern embroidery books

Upgrade your stitching skills with these modern embroidery books

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  • December 4, 2025
  • Katie Dolan

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Get inspired with these fabulous and modern embroidery books, these would make the perfect gift for any occasion.

Looking for a special gift for the stitcher in your life? Take a look at these beautiful and modern embroidery books, the perfect stocking stuffer for this Christmas. Each book is packed with modern and easy-to-follow designs to stitch, from cute woodland creatures to floral masterpieces.

Our team has specially selected each of these embroidery books because they stand out to us. They will help to improve skills, but also inspire creativity.

If you love embroidery and are looking for more stitchy gifts, take a look at our gifts for embroidery artists.

Get started with embroidery and with expert guidance in our embroidery for beginners article.

10 modern embroidery books

1. Thread Folk: A Modern Makers Book of Embroidery Projects and Artist Collaborations: 2 by Libby Moore

This gorgeous book is ideal for the modern stitcher; it is jam-packed full of fresh, up-to-date designs and patterns.

You’ll find this book is suitable for both the beginner stitcher and will also appeal to those more experienced.

Thread Folk also includes collaborations with artists who have come together to create some truly unique pieces. Whether you are purchasing for yourself to inspire your next project, or you are gifting it to the stitcher in your life, we can assure you one thing: you won’t be disappointed.

  • Buy now from Amazon

2. Hoop Art by Cristin Morgan

This book contains a unique collection of embroidery motifs featuring vibrant colours for hours of stitching fun. A variety of abstract and geometric motifs, botanical patterns, classic hand-lettered styles, and many more will inspire your stitching in new and creative ways.

It’s ideal for beginners as it teaches the basics of stitching, but will also appeal to the experienced stitcher due to the delightful designs inside.

  • Buy now from Amazon

3. Embroidery Stitches Step-by-Step by Lucinda Ganderton

One for those looking for a comprehensive guide to embroidery stitches, the book is a must-have for anyone serious about embroidery. It contains over 200 stitches and a guide on how to do each one.

For each stitch, you will find a step-by-step guide with photos. Not only does this book help with stitches, but it also gives advice on what thread, needles, or fabric will work with which stitches.

This book is an invaluable tool for beginners and is full of ideas for the accomplished stitcher!

  • Buy now on Amazon

4. Garden Stitch Life: 50 Embroidery Motifs & Projects to Grow Your Inspiration by Kazuko Aoki

What better inspiration for embroidery than nature? Packed full of gorgeous nature-inspired designs, from mushrooms to wildflowers, this wonderful book would be the ideal gift for the nature lover in your life.

Get immersed in the enchanted world of garden embroidery, where Aoki will show you the techniques and inspiration behind these wonderful stitches.

  • Buy now from Amazon

5. Pet Portrait Embroidery by Michelle Staub

Always wanted to paint your pooch? Well, now you can, with thread!

This modern guide to pet embroidery contains 20 customizable projects that you can stitch into stunningly realistic pet portraits.

In this book, you’ll also find a full guide and top tips on embroidery painting techniques, useful for the novice to this style of stitching. This type of stitching is more advanced, so it might not be suitable for a complete beginner, but someone looking to try another style of embroidery.

  • Buy now from Amazon

6. Dried Flower Embroidery by Olga Prinku

For a modern twist on embroidery, try this dried flower embroidery guide. You’ll use real flowers to create a natural masterpiece.

Inside, you’ll find everything you need from beginning to end. From learning how to dry flowers through to framing your finished work. You can work on 16 projects from this book, ranging from home decor to clothing.

This would be the perfect gift for anyone looking to start a new hobby who loves interior design and flowers!

  • Buy now from Amazon

7. Cat Lady Embroidery by Applemints

From our experience in the crafting world, cats and crafters are often cut from the same cloth! We just know this book will appeal to the embroidery fans out there.

You could stitch a new cat every day for just over a year with this fabulous book. It contains 380 ways to stitch a cat – if you don’t find a design that looks like your cat, we’ll be surprised! Purrfect for beginners, this book contains easy-to-follow instructions and simple, quick designs, making it a satisfyingly fun book for newbies.

  • Buy now from Amazon

8. Cute Critters: An Embroidery Pattern Compendium by Jessica Long

Oh, how adorable are these embroidered animals? We can’t get enough of them and want to stitch each and every one!

This book is packed with 30 creatures to stitch and easy step-by-step guidance on stitches and techniques. It contains beginner-friendly patterns as well as more advanced ones for those who are a dab hand at the craft already.

These unique creations would make lovely hangings around your home, or you could give them as gifts to friends and family.

  • Buy now from Amazon

9. Colourful Fun Embroidery by Clare Albans

Everyone needs a bit of brightness and motivation in their lives at some point, and this book brings just that! Brighten up your home and your life with these 24 bright and fun embroidery projects.

With a step-by-step guide and beautiful illustrations, this is the ideal book for embroidery beginners. It will certainly spark a love of stitching in anyone looking to learn.

This fun book also gives you the chance to personalise your work, by allowing you to choose your own colours and even giving you suggestions to make it unique!

  • Buy now from Amazon

10. Embroidery Now: Contemporary projects for you and your home by Jennifer Cardenas Riggs

This edgy embroidery book contains 30 contemporary projects. It includes a boho stitched lampshade, a constellation table runner, and starry-stitched dresses. It’s the perfect companion for any modern stitcher who wants to take their home decor to the next level.

To finish these designs, you won’t need any prior experience as the book offers full step-by-step instructions, top tips and tricks.

  • Buy now from Amazon

Fill your bookshelves with beautiful books

You can’t go wrong with one of these lovely books; they’re all packed with lots of lovely embroidery patterns, hints and techniques.

Try one of our free embroidery patterns

Light up your day with our beautiful Sun embroidery pattern. You’ll learn straight stitch, felt applique and beading in one project.

straight stitch main

We think you’ll love:

  • Embroidery for beginner’s guide
  • Embroidery stitches library
  • Embroidery gift ideas
  • Wildflower embroidery pattern

Katie Dolan

Katie Dolan

Katie is an experienced craft writer. A self-taught crocheter, she enjoys exploring a range of crafts. When she’s not writing about crafts or lifestyle, you’ll usually find her with a good book or at the cinema.

See author's posts

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