I am a big fan of Nancy Nicholson first book Modern Folk Embroidery. I was excited to preview her new book Big Embroidery through Netgalley. Unfortunately the format Netgalley send me was a reflowable ebook, which I dislike when I am reviewing a nonfiction. I was able to get a physical copy through my library and I wasn't disappointed.

If you are familiar with Modern Folk Embroidery, Big Embroidery is also folk and retro design inspired. Embroidery floss is swaped for tapestry/wool yarn and the projects are done on a bigger surface area. Pillows, belt, bags and slippers are some of the projects introduced for embroidery. If working on a bigger projects feels intimidating, I suggest picking up her first book Modern Folk Embroidery where the majority of projects are done with felt and embroidery floss and also smaller in size. Also if you are thinking of purchasing either one of these books, purchase the actual book over the ebook. The ebook remove all of the design layout which makes both book aesthetically pleasing to look at.

Very nice book of embroidery. New twist to make it big! I like this. Can’t wait to start stitching some of these for my couch. Thank you NetGalley for the free download and to the author and publisher of this book.

These are traditional looking projects which will make a big splash with a fairly short investment of time. The books includes clear illustrations of many different stitches and lots of ideas for stitching on different materials.

I love this collection of upsized embroidery designs. As with other craft books, the basics are covered up front before moving on to the projects. With a nice range of projects covered here - including embroidered design on greeting cards, slippers and mittens, pillows and other home decor, various clothing embellishments and some full projects (a purse, belt, child's skirt and more) - there's a little (big?) something for everyone. This is a great way to personalize items for yourself or gifts.

Thank you to F+W Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

What a lovely and ingenious book. Big embroidery.
Many designs and ideas that are so very easy to undertake.
The hard work is sone, just follow the book and projects will be in abundance.

What a well laid out craft book! The author is well known for her handwork and she has written a new book showing us how to up-size (in scale) ideas by using yarns instead of floss.

Helpful hints and overview of techniques are followed by ways to use these projects as a jumping off point for exploration and personal expression, and series of fun, contemporary projects in great colors for yourself or for gifts. I'd definitely buy this one when published. Suitable for dexterous children through adult.

I received an advanced digital copy of this book. My thanks to Netgalley.com and F+W Media for the opportunity.

A beautifully photographed and illustrated book, giving insight into and inspiration for crewel embroidery. Ms. Nicholson's instructions are clear and concise. You will want to head straight to the craft store for supplies after purchasing this book.

An asset to the library of the novice and experienced embroiderer alike.

A beautiful book! I'm relatively new to embroidering so I was very happy for the chance to review this title. The author talks about the tools and materials needed and being new to this, I really appreciated her encouraging the use of your existing yarns and fabrics. She includes diagrams of the stitches to be used with the projects (e.g., greeting cards, cushions, slippers & mittens and embellishments for jeans and sweaters). It's well illustrated with bright drawings and photographs of the finished products and there are links to the suppliers' websites. All-in-all, I'd say this would be a welcome addition to the libraries of both new and experienced crafters. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC! #BigEmbroidery #NetGalley

Embroidery is traditionally done with thread, and crewel embroidery with crewel wool, a more yarn-like thread. In this book, author Nancy Nicholson has us try regular yarns on heavier weight fabrics, and the results give a new feel to a classic craft. The stitches are shown with clear illustrations, and the tools and materials needed are well covered. The projects include home decor items like cushions, blankets, and wall hangings, among others, and embellished clothing ideas. The designs are bold and fun, and showcase the stitches well, plus have a retro folk art appeal. A great book for beginners and more experienced needleworkers looking for fresh ideas!

(Book review on Goodreads)

If you like the cover image, you'll love the rest of this book! It really captures Nicholson's style, which she says was heavily influenced by the 1960s and 1970s. The idea here is hand embroidery, worked in chunky yarn or tapestry yarn (meant for needlepoint canvas) instead of the usual cotton floss, and the bigger thread and vibrant colours really suit her retro designs.

Although there is a short section of stitch diagrams, the majority of the book is focussed on projects. I would say it would be suitable for an intermediate embroider with some stitch knowledge, or a determined beginner with a good stitch dictionary. The designs are simple, and so are most of the stitches used - it is the size of the thread and the vibrant colours that make the impact.

The projects vary from small (some felt-banded tassels) to large (a blanket), and are pretty much split between handmade and store bought bases. This can be a problem. For example - I fell in love with the Knitwear Motif cardigan - but most of my love is for the cardigan itself, which is store bought and difficult to replicate. The other drawback is that most of the motifs are similar, and Scandinavian-style birds figure a little too often for my taste.

But Nicholson also has a very casual and encouraging attitude whereby all the designs and projects are just examples, and she constantly tells the reader to experiment, using her work as inspiration. My favourite project was the Butterfly Cushion shown on the cover, followed by the Mandala Cushion and the Flower Picture, which serves as a sampler of sorts. All the motifs are easily adaptable and could be combined.

There is a guide to assembling the projects, but all the templates are online. Although that is standard for craft books today, I greatly prefer having printed templates, especially if they are to scale - even if that means one of those awkward pattern insert pages. Websites change and it's hard to keep printed pages with the book.

The stitch guides are in colour and are large and easy to follow, with the different colours also indicating the stitches. Being a stitcher who works "small" embroideries with floss, I think most of this motifs would work equally well on a smaller scale, and would be particularly suited to perle (pearl) cotton, with its firmer twist, which might mimic some of the lovely texture the wool adds here.

Thank you very much to NetGalley for lending me a preview copy to review. All opinions are my own. (less)

I Downloaded the book twice, both the times the downloaded copy is just the Cover page; So cannot review/ provide any feedback.

A Wonderful book with wonderful ideas for embroidery, well illustrated with very modern designs that one would be happy to have around.
The instruction are well written, the designs simple to stitch and could be done by both a beginner and enjoyed by and experienced embroiderer.

*~.Book Analysis.~*
Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader :)

Rating: 5 stars
Reading period: Dec. 09th, 2018
Format: ebook
Source: NetGalley – I have received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Release date: Oct. 16th, 2018

PROS
The easy-to-follow talk on the summary? All real. The tasks themselves aren’t that easy, but the explanations are on spot and precise. Also, the book has a lot of pictures and illustrations to help the reader to complete each step and design without much trouble.

CONS
It takes a patience that I don’t possess to master even the easiest of the designs… But I guess that isn’t the book’s fault!

COVER ANALYSIS
The cover conveys all the messages within the book’s projects: to beautify your home in a personalized way and bring warmth to the family. It could have been done in a more aesthetical way, but it’s a cozy cover.

QUOTES

“Basically, if a needle will go through it, you can embroider it.” - Nancy Nicholson

RECOMMENDED FOR
Readers with a passion for DIY works!

Una collezione di bellissimi motivi e lavori originali, tutti da copiare, finalmente perfetti per ricami di grandi dimensioni.

I love embroidery new ideas. This is a great book for new ideas, with excellent illustrations.
Thanks to Netgalley for this nice copy.

Beautifully illustrated and colourrrful. I was excited to be able to read this in exchange for an honest review. Eagerly awaited this is perfect book for a present or a coffee table but is disappointing in its content.

The ideas are not sufficiently new to make me want to buy and anyone who knows basic embroidery would not learn anything new.

I cannot say I don’t like it but have to admit if I had bought it I would be left wanting more from it. There has been quite a bit of excitement and expectation from my friends who sew, embroider, knit etc. but it just did not live up to our hopes.

Ideal for new stitchers or a pretty book for a crafters collection not informing enough for me.