Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 3
Introduction 7
 
Getting Started
FABRIC, THREAD, HOOPS, AND NEEDLES 8
Fabric 8
Thread 8
Embroidery Hoops 9
Needles 9

PATTERN TRANSFER SUPPLIES & METHODS 10
Pattern Transfer Supplies 10
How to Use Pencils and Erasable Pens 10
How to Use Pattern Transfer Stabilizer 11

WORKING WITH ALL TYPES OF FABRICS 12
Smooth, No-stretch Fabrics 12
Very Light or Thin Fabrics 12
Dark, Thick, Bumpy, Fuzzy, and Fluffy Fabrics 13
Stretchy Fabrics 13

STARTING & ENDING YOUR STITCHING 14
Starting Stitching 14
Ending Stitching 14

FINISHING YOUR STITCHING 15

THE BASIC STITCHES 16
Straight Stitch 16
Backstitch 18
Chain Stitch or Lazy Daisy 20
French Knot 22
Satin Stitch 24

GUIDE TO READING THE PATTERNS 25
 
Embroidery Stitch Patterns for Everything
PLANTS
Trendy Trees 26
Lovely Leaves 28
Flower Power 30
Favorite Houseplants 32
Selection of Succulents 34
 
ANIMALS
Sweet Kitties 36
Devoted Dogs 38
Popular Pets 40
Creepy Crawlies 42
Woodland Creatures 44
Aquarium Swimmers 46
Under the Sea 48
Feathered Friends 50
Wise Owls 52
Barnyard Buddies 54
On Safari 56
Dinosaur Hunt 58
 
PEOPLE
Girls Squad 60
Boys Team 62
Ladies 64
Gentlemen 66
 
OUT AND ABOUT
Off to the Beach 68
Down on the Farm 70
Home Sweet Home 72
City Living 74
On the Road 76
Things That Go 78
 
AROUND THE HOUSE
School Supplies 80
Let’s Get Cooking 82
Sweet Treats 84
It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere 86
Laundry Day 88
Tool Shed 90
 
AT PLAY
Classic Toys 92
Keys to the Kingdom 94
Fantasy Land 96
Space Race 98
Pirate Life 100
Monster Mash 102
 
CELEBRATE
Birthday Bash 104
Love & Cheers 106
Baby News 108
 
WEATHER & SKIES
Let It Snow 110
Sun, Moon & Stars 112
Stormy Weather 114
 
LETTERS & MORE
Classic Alphabet 116
Numbers & Banners 118
Fancy Frames 120
Zodiac Signs 122
Paisley Power 124
Beautiful Borders 126
 
Resources 128
About the Author 128
 

About the Author

Wendi Gratz is the creator of ShinyHappyWorld.com, where she offers free video tutorials and sells her embroidery, sewing, quilting, and crochet amigurumi patterns designed especially for beginners. Wendi's sweet, happy style is influenced by her more than 20 years of experience in children's books. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

Reviews

"Embroidery has been around for ages, and there are encyclopedias full of complicated stitches, but when it comes down to it, all you really need are lines, dots, and teardrops.With just a few basic stitches (you'll learn them all in this book), you can stitch anything you can imagine. In this book you'll find about 500 designs t get you started -- everything from alligators, bicycles, and corn on the cob through washing machines, yucca plants, and zebras."
*Sew News*