This book was rediculously cute. I started embroidering during quarantine in March and haven't been able to get enough. Between the explanations for how to transfer your own designs, the instructions about stitches, and the wealth of ideas for new projects I closed this book and felt like I had so many ideas for gifts and things I wanted to decorate with that I was full to bursty. Jessica Long's passion and creativity come through on this book clearly and her ease of explanation really made me excited to try things that might totally fail!

Exceedingly cute and very easy to follow instructions. I liked that it didn't spend ages on the materials page but gave enough to get started and then went straight into the patterns.
I also liked that there were different levels so that you could choose your competency and go from there. Having rarely done embroidery before I appreciated that.
A great little book that I will definitely be using again

Disclaimer: I was provided a digital copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This adorable collection of embroidery patterns appealed to me as a beginner. I especially loved the assortment of creatures from all over the world.

I will be buying an actual hard copy for my creative soul to savor.

This is a beautiful book filled with lovely animal-themed embroidery projects for beginners and those with more experience. There is a lot of cohesion between the projects, so they can work well displayed together. The book begins with detailed and comprehensive information about transferring patterns, picking materials, finishing your projects, completing the main embroidery stitches, and more.
I was most impressed with the amount of detail and guidance provided in each pattern. Rather than just provide the outlines and some general colour selections, the author provides extensive tips and trips on how to achieve the desired result, and even provides guidance on the direction of stitches and colour blending. There are also suggestions provided for alternative colour palettes and finishes in some cases which allows for customization.
The patterns are divided into two general sections: the first is targeted towards beginners, and the second is targeted towards those with more experience who want to stretch their skillset and incorporate more detail into their embroidery projects. I like the variety provided in both and I will be trying out patterns from both sections.
Overall, this is an excellent book for embroiderers of different skill levels looking for cute and whimsical animal-themed projects.

Cute Critters: An Embroidery Pattern Compendium by Jessica Long is a book I requested from NetGalley and the review is voluntary. This has the most darling patterns and pictures! I am a beginner and I am sure I can make a half decent attempt at some of the simpler patterns and with practice and following the instructions, build up to the others! The step-by-step instructions seem clear and the photos help. The end results of these cute creatures is a real incentive! The patterns and steps are all there! If you are already an intermediate level then you should have lots of fun!

I haven’t actually done any of these designs but they will be great for the students to do. I feel that they can be easily done even with beginners.

Some very cute patterns in this one, including otters, a personal favorite. The designs are small and would be easy to transfer and use in various projects which is a nice plus.

Animal Embroidery Workbook is a tutorial and style guide for surface embroidery by Jessica Long. Due out 1st Nov 2020 from Fox Chapel, it's 208 pages and will be available in paperback format.
I enjoyed this book a lot. The pictures are all very clear and colorful, the projects are well designed and appealing, and the text is upbeat and fun. The introduction includes a discussion of tools, supplies, and basic techniques. The bulk of the book is taken up by the 30 different animal projects. The projects themselves are varied and attractive. The display models in the book are shown mounted in hoops, but all of them could certainly be easily adapted to other finishes. All of the templates are included. Each tutorial contains an introduction, materials list (nothing too exotic or difficult to source), and step by step photo tutorials from start to finish. Tips and alternative finishes are included in the tutorials. The book also includes line drawn templates and an index but no index.

It should be noted that this book is about surface embroidery, not cross stitch. It's lovely to see tutorials and and upswing in interest for the other fibrearts; it seems like only cross-stitch had any following for a long long time and it's nice to see surface embroidery enjoying a renaissance. I really love the breezy and sweet style, and the quirky friendly animal projects.

Beautiful projects. Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

As a complete beginner to the world of embroidery, at first glance this book looks incredibly overwhelming. However, what makes this book so great is that it explains in detail the different stitches, and goes in order of beginner to more advanced projects. Also the steps and pictures that go with each step makes it easy and makes it feel completely doable. The colors are also so vibrant which are eye catching and makes this craft look so much fun and enjoyable to do.

I received this book from netgalley for review.

This book is a must have for crafters!
There are designs for beginners, and even more advanced embroiders. My Grandma taught me years ago, but I haven’t embroidered in so long, I was afraid I wouldn’t remember how.
This book gives clear, easy to follow steps, and detailed instructions and patterns.
I am going to the craft store this week for the necessary supplies and I hope to make some of these lovelies soon.
I was given the opportunity to review this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed here are completely my own.

The patterns in this book are absolutely adorable. The instructions were really easy to follow and understand. I love how it was broken up starting from the easiest projects to the more complicated. This is a perfect book for anyone who likes whimsical animal embroidery.

There has been a renewed interest in embroidery for some time now. For those who would love to learn this skill or have an interest in creating embroidered pieces based on animal motifs, this is a great book for you.

The author has produced a step-by-step guide to creating some really nice pieces. The projects presented are for varied skill ranges and there are even pieces that employ the technique known as thread painting. The great thing is that the skills and techniques learned here are transferable to any other embroidery pieces the crafter will desire to make. This book also makes a great gift for a friend or relative that enjoys embroidery.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by the publisher and Net Galley. However, the thoughts expressed are totally my own.

Let me say first of all, this is an absolutely stunning book, just opening it, one wants to delve deeper and deeper and find how to achieved these wonderful works.
After starting off with a list of equipment and information, the books projects start off with beautiful item that are very simple and easy to achieve for the beginner. It then develops in stages, to harder and for more confident beginners, before branching out into blending colours for a more 3D effect, and then even more detail and more thread, to make the work truly amazing. All the instructions are step by step and easy to follow, and the designs are very cute, and I do agree the hedgehog is the cutest thing I have seen in embroidery, and the koalas of course.
Must have book

What a cute and simple book to learn how to make this great animal. The book reads fast and all is easily explained. Great examples of what you can make. The pictures are gorgeous. Lots of great step by step instruction. Worth every penny!

Absolutely adorable patterns to embroider. Great explanations on what to do and what order to do the stitching. Also you are given the directions that the stitches should go in to make the fur etc realistic. Great book

This book was really cute and inspirational, especially if one enjoys crafting and animals. There's a bit of variety, so I think there's plenty for most people in it.

In this book we get tips on how to start and create our own embroidered masterpieces my favourite of which was a sweet rabbit design one. With clear images and instructions to follow including what equipment is needed too I feel anyone will be able to get started and have a go!

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

Adorable. Just adorable. That's all I can say about the designs in this book. Long offers several diagrams to illustrate and guide you in the thread painting and stitching. Her descriptions are clear and easy to follow (it's embroidery so you're required to pay close attention). The designs range from more outlined designs to multi-media to fine thread painting. I only had time to stitch up one of the easier designs but I wanted to gush right away.

I've always wanted to learn to embroidery, and have a friend I've been a bit envious of who does it so well. This book is a great teaching tool to have on hand to learn different projects. Lots of great step by step instruction. As a beginner, this is exactly what I needed. Great tips on stitches, with photos of projects. Highly recommended.

I have a teeny tiny bit of experience with embroidery and while this isn’t necessarily a book for beginners like me, it was an excellent guide for different techniques. There were cute and the steps are broken down into specific shapes which will help if you want to create your own projects.