Charming animal embroidery patterns. The book includes all basic information to get started, although it is not always the clearest or easiest to follow. Paterns are suitable for a wide range of skill levels and the artwork is absolutely adorable. A great book, but it should not be the only embroidery book on your shelf

This is a great embroidery workbook for both beginners and advanced embroiderers. I found the review on stitches to be super helpful and the animal designs to be absolutely adorable.

What a cute and easy to use book for embroidery! I am very new to this hobby but I really enjoyed reading through the different techniques and examples

Animal Embroidery Workbook
Step-by-Step Techniques & Patterns for 30 Cute Critters & More
by Jessica Long
Thank you for the arc Netgalley and Fox Chapel Publishing/Landauer Publishing

The Animal Embraidery Workbook by Jessica Long is a comprahensive guide to emroidery painting for beginners and advanced crafters a like.
The motives are ever so cute and there are wonderful advice about embroidery basics as well as patterns, diagrams and helpful tips. I have not started on a prodject yet but I will in the near future.

I absolutely loved this book!
I am always seeking for new pattern and different techniques for my embroidery project and this book offers some really cute project !
It is well explained and easy to follow.
I am looking forward to try some of these cute little animals !

I would like to thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

For me this book offering basic technic from embordiery until how to finishing it. They give enough pattern to practice, small but very cute. Totally worth to upgrade new skill this year.

I really liked all the patterns included in this book and thought the animals very cute. I liked the wide variety of patterns and there were plenty of different patterns for all abilities. The colours are bright and inviting and I loved the addition of a few metallic options too. I thought the instructions were easy to follow but I would have preferred a few more step by step pictures in the thread painting chapters to really show you how it should look along the way. Overall, I really enjoyed it and can't wait to stitch some of them!

4 stars

The patterns are gorgeous, well worth the time of an experienced embroiderer if you like animal & nature themes designs. The book has decently detailed info & tips for beginners (better than several embroidery books I’ve seen) with 4 levels of pattern difficulty, from simple outline designs to intermediate thread painting pieces.

[What I liked:]

•The projects are grouped by skill level, starting with basic patterns & graduating up to more complex thread painting patterns. I think it’s a helpful organization, & helps you choose a project you feel comfortable attempting at your skill level.

•The beginning of the book has detailed info on choosing & using frames, fabrics, floss, needles, & other tools. The info on pattern transfer methods is basic, but I appreciate the recommendations on which method to use based on the weight & color of fabric.

•The stitch guide has pretty detailed text instructions, and includes more advanced techniques like turkey work. The tips on thread painting (blending with long and short stitch) are detailed & give good advice.

•The patterns are lovely and adorable!! They are based on the author’s own illustrations. There are 30 different patterns, and all are detailed, unique, & thoughtful designs.

•The pattern guides are detailed, including stitch direction, color guides, the order for completing the work, & pictures of the works in progress showing various stages of the projects. This is a wonderful resource, especially for beginners.


[What I didn’t like as much:]

•Finishing techniques are limited to sewing/gluing the piece into a hoop (I know this is popular currently, but I don’t think it looks good, nor protects the work like a full frame does), using stretcher bars, or cutting out patches to appliqué on clothes/items. There isn’t much info on caring for embroidery pieces (washing, ironing, preventing fading, etc.).

•The stitch guide could use more pictures showing the different steps. However, stitch instructional videos are readily available on YouTube, so it’s not hard to find free visual resources these days.

[I received an ARC ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you for the book!]

Excellent Techniques and Detailed Animals

I've embroidered since I was 6 years old, using it as therapy when I broke my arm. So, I've been embroidering for a long time! I found myself pleasantly surprised by the techniques and stitches used in this book. I don't consider myself to be a “fancy” embroiderer, so some stitches were new to me. But they are certainly worth learning as they create impressive results in the animal embroidery patterns in this book. In the introductory section, before the projects, the author describes how to do all the specialty stitches needed and explains the materials needed (e.g., hoops, fabrics, threads). I had never even heard of thread or needle painting before this book... and the bulk of the patterns use that short-and-long, single- or double-strand satin stitch technique. The author starts out more simply, though, with animals that are only outlined with small ornamentations or use a simple satin stitch. She breaks down the thread painting into beginner and more complex ones. The effects she is able to get are amazing. Her finished works look like pieces of art! If you've ever wanted to stretch yourself as an embroiderer and love animals, this book will probably provide hours of fun and learning... and fabulous results.

I believe this book is wonderful. The materials are listed, there is step by step instructions, and even instruction to make jewelry. I also enjoyed the funny remarks like "performing surgery". I might be a beginner in the arts of embroidery but this will be a fun book to learn the craft.

thank you to Fox Chapel Publishing, Landauer Publishing, Ms. Long and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What an adorable book on embroidery AND animals. I don't have a lot of time at the moment, but will be trying at least a couple of the designs from here.. This book is great for teaching beginners all the different types of stitches to be successful in this meditative craft.

I'm not likely to purchase this title, because I'm at a middle school, but I would definitely recommend this title to public librarians for purchasing. I am a longtime crafter that is thinking about stepping a toe in the waters of embroidery. I thought this book might be too advanced for me, but the author does a great job of starting with the basics and having a range of projects from beginner to advanced. The techniques for transferring, finishing, and more were very helpful. There are plentiful photographs which adds to the aesthetic appeal of the book but also adds to the understanding of the crafter. It is also a book that can be referred back to by crafter's again and again. Very well put together.

I loved this book. Not only were the patterns fun and actually doable, but even the simple ones had enough work for the advanced sewer. My favorite section: the chapter on Beginner Thread Painting Critters was wonderfully detailed. This book was reviewed on my craft blog.

The technique presented in this book is my new obsession! I've been studying the art of needle painting a lot and, therefore, I found this book incredible. Easy to understand, which I think is important, especially for beginners like me and with patterns to train and create wonderful arts full of life. The book is at my side while training my embroidery and I believe that everyone who wants to learn to embroider and invest in this book can fall in love with the art of embroidery.

Such a great book with easy to follow and simple instructions. I appreciated each photo and the step by step photos

The projects are beautiful but really not for beginners. The 'painting' looks amazing but again- not for a beginner like me. I enjoyed the outline bunnies! Can't wait to make some! The templates are so helpful! I would recommend! Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley!

The Animal Embroidery Workbook by Jessica Long is a beautiful book. I have followed Jessica on Instagram and was happy to see that she has a book. There were good instructions at the beginning, going through the process of transferring the pattern, how to use a hoop, what type of fabric is best and some not so well explained stitch basics and essential equipment. The patterns are adorable and presented in a way that are completely inspiring. Some of the animals are challenging, but many are doable for beginners.

I would consider myself an experienced stitcher. I would have liked more explanation on how to double hoop. It seemed like it was missing something. I was pleased at how generous Ms. Long shared her knowledge of her craft. The part I did not like, however, was that the author kept referring to her ‘youtube channel’ and website for more information. When take the time to purchase a book, particularly a crafting one, I do not want to have to put the book down and refer to other media. I do not like not having all of the information right there in front of me. Frankly while I love Ms. Longs embroidery this was a huge let down for me. Overall, the Animal Embroidery Workbook is full of cute and cuddly critters and is one that I would definitely take a look at.

I would like to thank Fox Chapel Publishing, Landauer Publishing, Ms. Long and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Animal Embroidery Workbook is a lovely pattern book that illustrates the beauty of embroidery. With several adorable animal projects to embroider, the reader will improve their needlework skills immensely. The instructions are well written and easy to understand. This is a great book for the beginner and advanced crafter alike.

The Animal Embroidery Workbook is perfect for those that want to create cute embroidery of adorable animals. I have some background in cross-stitch and lately have been interested in making the jump to embroidery but have been a little intimidated. This book helped me feel a lot more confident in what feels like 'free-handing' compared to the regimented rows of cross-stitch. The basic of embroidery instructions were easy to follow and there were plenty of illustrations to further describe what she is teaching. I appreciate that the first chapter of actual patterns are very beginner friendly and simple but still cute. I've already ordered some transfer patterns from her website and will be using this book for reference when they arrive!

If you are wanting to try out embroidering or need new ideas because you have done so much already, then this book is for you!!! The first part of the book shows you all the different types of stitches that you can work on. There is also a part when it tells you how to transfer patterns. I liked how it had real pictures and so you know what it will look like when you are finished with it. Towards the middle of the book, it begins to show you different patters on how to make animals. It also gives references on how to make some flowers as well. Each design shows you which stitch to use and also what colors are needed. Again, I would recommend this to anyone who is wanting to begin or enjoy embroidery even more.