Want to embellish fabrics or garments? Don’t know how to start? This post is a book review of “The Geometry of Hand-Sewing” by Natalie Chanin.
Introduction
One of my favourite tops has embroidered beads and sequins. My childhood neighbour embroidered table cloths and pillow cases. I bought “The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: A Romance in Stitches and Embroidery —from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making” by Natalie Chanin to learn about this skill.
What’s the book about?
The Geometry of Hand-Sewing teaches you how to hand stitch and hand embroider using grids that you temporarily transfer to your fabric. The book is divided into four main sections.
1) Introduction and Tools
This section is approximately one eighth of the book. I purchased the ebook and wasn’t able to download the stitching cards. All seven grids are illustrated in the book so I’ll be able to draw my own grids. I was also able to find some plastic hand embroidery grids available for purchase on the internet. None of these sets had all seven grids. Learn about the marking tools, needles, threads, cutting tools, and other supplies you’ll need.
2) Basic Stitches
This section is approximately half of the book. Learn how to transfer your grid to your fabric, how much thread to use, and how to secure the ends of your thread. See stitches described left-to-right and right-to left and see photos of front and back views. Learn how adding rows to your grids allows you to create more complex stitches.
3) Enhancing Stitches
This section is approximately one eighth of the book. Learn how add detail stitches, beads and sequins. Weave, thread, lace and/or whip your stitches to create more complex designs, including applique.
4) Advanced Techniques
This section is approximately one quarter of the book. Learn how scaling the grids and/or your stitches, altering the entrance and exit points, skipping grid points and curving the grids can change the look of your stitches. Create a patterned fill by stitching in matching, alternating or offset rows.
Conclusion
“The Geometry of Hand-Sewing” by Natalie Chanin is well written and illustrated. I knew a handful of the over 100 stitches presented in this book. Most sewing machines won’t be able to replicate these hand embroidery stitches. I’ve never attempted to learn hand embroidery before and the geometric grid technique makes sense to me. I’m looking forward to embellishing some of my clothes with hand embroidery.
Have you considered doing hand embroidery? Can you recommend additional hand embroidery resources? Comment below and/or Pin me for later!
Tanya
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