This book is full of outlines and instructions for stitching 300 flowers and other plants using embroidery on fabric.

The opening section of the book shows each design stitched in color. This is followed by a section on materials and tools. Because the book was originally published in Japan, Olympus floss was used. Because this thread is uncommon outside Japan, a helpful table to convert to DMC is included.

Following this is the meat of the book, with a two-page spread for each group of 7-10 motifs. The motifs are numbered, matching them back to the color plates. On the left pages there are stitch maps that indicate thread colors and stitches. On the right are the designs for transfer.

A gallery of inspirational projects is also included.

It's an excellent book for embroiderers.

Beautiful book which will suit the beginner and the experienced alike. The book has clear step by instep instructions for every embroidery stitch neeed. There a many different flower designs with deatiled instructions. My particular favourites are Numbers 7 &11 trailing roses, 28 Madvallia, 32 chysanthium, 75 trailing ice plant, 92 poppy,118 Dahlia and the larger 283 Water Gaerden project.
Step by step instuuctions are given in how to transfer the pictures onto the fabric to be emboidered. there are also a selection of project ideas e.g. adding flower detail to a blouse.
I feel the book would have beenfited if it had iron on transfers of some of the flowers, as this would have been easier for young people starting out in embroidery. However, it is much more ecconomical to use tracing paper and dressmakers markers.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me an advance review copy.

A beautiful book, with lots of inspiration and pretty images. Well presented and easy to follow, for you to make your own. I particularly like the project inspiration gallery, I thought this was a nice idea., although I would have liked to have seen more.

The step by step instructions are well illustrated and easy to follow, unlike some I have come across. This has inspired me to pick up embroidery again.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

In this book it guides us on how we can create a broad and colourful range of various types of plants and flowers that look very realistic and beautifully detailed.



With project ideas, a handy start guide and item list for you if required to help you get started, this book will guide you to create your own stitching masterpieces perfect for teens and adults.



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Embroidery books that double as botany references are, apparently, my jam- and this book fits that category perfectly!

The pictures of completed embroidery are beautiful and wonderfully labeled. This part will be seductive for needle-artists and plant-lovers alike.

The introduction to the embroidery skills needed for the pattern is well written and helpfully illustrated. I especially liked the chart showing the finished difference between one, two and three strands of floss used with basic stitches. This really helps in visualizing how to use the floss to create your desired effect.

The functional patterns that comprise the rest of the book are set up in a really good set of doubles for each image. Once set sets you up with your colors (a good brand conversion chart is even included), the stitches you will need and notes any special techniques with directions. The other set is clean, clear copies of the images, perfect for transfers.

This one is definitely going on my wishlist for the library’s “700s” shelf.

This is a lovely little book of embroidery patterns, designed and embroidered by several different artists. While fairly similar - they're all realistic depictions of different plants, from roses to foliage to succulents - their styles differ slightly, which is nice.
The instructions are in the second half of the book, where each page is reproduced twice - once with line drawings alone, to be copied and transferred to projects and once with line drawings accompanied by short lists of which stick to use on each part, how many strands of floss to use where, and the color of floss used.

I would've liked to have seen more finished projects which included the patterns, but that's just me.
Overall, a good resource.

This is a nice compilation of patterns for flowers, fruits, houseplants, etc. to embroider, with color illustrations of them first as embroidered designs and then with line drawings showing their basic shapes with info on stitches to use later in the book. They are grouped by categories, like cacti, wildflowers, fruits, etc. They tend towards very detailed. The leaf shapes and other ID characteristics are generally very authentic, although the leaf shape of clover seems wrong (clover leaves are actually oval and not the heart shape that is so popular in clover and St. Patrick's Day designs, which is more like the look of wood sorrel). I appreciated the wildflower and mushroom designs especially, though I wish there were far more since those are my particular loves.

All in all, this is a lovely book with a nice assortment of beautiful botanical designs and also sweet little potted plants and such. The retail price $21.95 seems a little high for a book that has so much similar competition, but it's a wonderful resource.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.

This book was filled with great pictures, cute inspirations/ideas and easy to follow directions. As someone who has never tried embroidery but has always been interested, I feel like this book will help me find a project and teach me how to complete it confidently. There are some truly beautiful designs in this book.