Charming, accessible, and creative, with room to add your own flair, Embroidered Animals contains inspirational photos and then patterns and instructions for a several dozen needlework projects. Clear and simple directions, easy stitches, and beautiful finished product make this a winner for novice and expert embroidery artists alike.

While not a book for beginners, this is an excellent addition to any collection of embroidery. I loved seeing ways to incorporate the designs into projects.

I am a big cross stitcher, but I want to get into embroidery more. I found this book to be really adorable and a great learning tool. It's something I will check out again in the future.

An excellent book on the intricacies of needlework. Absolutely love it as an addition to the needlework books collection. I will be picking it up for myself.

Lovely, whimsical designs. This was fun to flip through to get new ideas and I liked the unique imagery. Not sure about the projects, but worth it for the embroidery ideas themselves.

I am a big fan of Yumiko Higuchi’s embroidery work, and I own three of her other books. I was therefore very excited to receive this book. Like the other books, it does not disappoint. The style of the patterns is similar to those in her other books, with chain stitch being the main stitch used in all designs. As the title suggests, all the patterns involve animals. The is a wide range of projects, with my favourite being the Cheetah in the jungle tote bag.

I have two pet peeves that I’m bringing into this:

One: Reviews of embroidery or craft books that are really just gushing over the pretty pictures of finished projects, written by someone who may not even have the intention of ever making one, really irritate me. I’ve bought and tried to make projects from many craft project books where the math was off, the patterns were inaccurate, the instructions were unclear, didn’t make sense, or flat out wrong; and when I looked up the reviews they were all positive. When I read a craft book review, I want to know that the person writing it has at least tried to make a project from it, and has the experience necessary to evaluate whether the project instructions were accurate and helpful.

Two: Embroidery books often skimp on instructions for sewing them up or include instructions for very simple projects only, and sewing books often include no instructions for embellishment or embroider of finished projects. This means that, to my taste, the finished projects in either are typically a little lacking.

So my intention, when I downloaded the NetGalley of Yumiko Higuchi’s newest embroidery project book, was to fully make at least one project from it, from start to finish, scrupulously following the instructions, in order to evaluate whether or not a diligent reader could make up a project like the ones in the book by following the directions. However, my pet-peeve-#1 intention ran smack dab into pet-peeve-#2, and I failed somewhat.

Anyway, starting from the end, here is my finished version of Higuchi’s Wolves At Night bag:



The part where I followed the instructions:

The linen is a Robert Kaufman Essex yarn-dyed linen bought from Needlework and stagnating in the stash. The colour was a good match for the project, and the weave meant that figuring out grain was easy.

I traced the pattern, reversed it with a fine-tip transfer ink pen, ironed it on, gave it a 1/2" hem per the instructions, and cut it out. All of the patterns are as given; I used the given thread colours in the given amount. I did end up needing almost two full skeins of the green thread as she said, so there's a point for accuracy. I followed her directions for the stiches, and the technical instructions are well described and accurate.

Definitely for this pattern be very careful with the points on the trees. I worked from right to left across the bag for the evergreens, and the ones on the left are pointier and more closely resemble the book's trees as I learned what worked and what didn't. My NetGalley copy has expired, so I can't be sure of this, but I think she says just to follow the outline when filling in for both the wolves and the trees. This worked well for the wolves, where following each part's outline gave a lot of movement and definition to the shapes. For the evergreens, it made a bit of a messy, mushy shape, and instead I followed each branch down to the tip so that the stitching direction was more tree-like.

The part where I modified the instructions:

I underlined the bag front with a lightweight light blue feather ticking to give the fabric more stability. It also gave the hoop something to grab onto outside of the bag to minimize warping, and the feather ticking was densely woven enough to enable more finely detailed stitching than the more coarsely woven linen.

I also interface both front and back outer bag pieces with iron-on canvas interfacing. This is one of those parts that would never have been neglected in a sewing project book (at least, not a good one): linen on its own, particularly needlework linen but included standard sewing linen, is not strong enough to be a functional bag over time and needs interfacing. This should have been included in all Higuchi's bag instructions, but isn't.

The part where I flat-out ignored the instructions:

The book has the entire bag project made from the same light blue linen as the bag exterior. The closure was meant to be a drawstring through a casing added to the top of the bag, and the handles were meant to be linen straps. Clearly that is not this bag. Here's why:

- Linen straps, no matter how interfaced or assembled, would fray and degrade with use over time.
- Once interfaced, the bag front will no longer want to be gathered with a drawstring; plus, it would obscure the embroidery

So once the embroidery was done, this project sat on my dining table for a good month while I tried to figure out what I wanted to do with it. I have no intention of putting twenty or thirty hours into embroidering something that is destined to fall apart if it's ever used; interfacing was non-negotiable and linen handles were out.

So instead, I added tabs to the bag to give space to attach pre-made leather bag handles in a navy blue. There is no closure; I've given the finished bag to Echo to use to carry things around the house while using their crutches, so it doesn't need one. If I were still making this bag for my own outdoor use, I would have modified the pattern to accommodate a zipper, or interfaced the lining and added a magnetic clasp or two. But then, if I were making a bag for myself, I would want some built-in dimension through gathers or pleats or a gusset or somesuch, none of which would have accommodated the embroidery--at least, not this pattern. I did try to find something that would work with the overall shape of the bag and pattern pieces, but it would have taken a lot of effort and reworking and I'm not sure the end result would have been usable.

Overall comments and review:

The embroidery instructions are fantastic, and it goes without saying that the patterns are beautiful (though I see a lot of people have gone ahead and said it anyway). The sewing and project instructions are fine, but keep in mind that the resulting projects will be simple and will not last with regular use.

Transfer instructions were tricky. Now, my NetGalley copy has expired, so I can’t go back and double-check, but getting a transfer copy to the fabric that is as finely detailed as the images in the book is difficult, and with any wider line you are bound to end up with fuzzier and larger embroidered images. Be careful, get as fine a line as you can, and be sure to go no farther over them than needed to fully cover the transfer.

If you're drawn to the images and the embroidery, I'd recommend the book, but then supplement it with sewing references and a bag-making book so you can get some ideas of how to finish them that are more practical and will last longer.

Embroidered Animals is a tutorial and pattern book with example projects by Yumiko Higuchi. Due out 18th May from Roost Books, it's 96 pages and will be available in paperback format.

The included projects are all stylishly appealing and full of colorful surface embroidery featuring both domestic and wild animals. All of the tutorials include full color pictures as well as detailed line drawings with stitch guides and directions. Materials are readily and widely available. Although the tutorials are specific to finished projects (a trifold pouch, bags, pouches, cushion, scissors case, and several others), they could all easily be adapted to whatever finished form the reader wishes.

The stitch diagrams which are provided include clear pictures of straight stitch, lazy daisy, satin, French knot, chain stitch (used in most of the projects), and other surface embroidery techniques. It would be possible to complete the projects in the book by just using the stitch tutorials, but obviously having a more experienced stitching buddy would help.

Full size templates are included as well as materials lists and suggested finishing instructions.

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 enjoyed the book very much. It's a worthwhile and fun introduction and guide to learning embroidery. Many of the designs in the book could also serve as a good jumping off point for dimensional embroider/stumpwork.

Four and a half stars

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

Not for beginners, like myself. That said this book would be a great addition to the intermediate-advanced stitcher. Contains intricate, interlocking floral designs as well as simple but charming stylized ones.
The brief notes on materials & tools, with a decent stitch guide including good photos is helpful. I also appreciate that the patterns are in black & white, 2D format for printing. Each has very brief notes on colors, & which stitches to use on each part of the design. The instructions and diagrams in the back on the sewing projects as well as how to attach the embroidered pieces was great.

4 stars

I’ve long admired & followed Higuchi’s designs & embroidery work, and I was excited to see she has a new pattern book coming out this spring! The animal themed designs include patterns for embroidery useful & household items, as well as a few larger ones for framing. The patterns include sewing instructions for the items like tote bags & pouches.

I recommend most of the patterns in this book for those with intermediate to advanced embroidery skills, but there are a few simple designs that beginners could do. If you’re a beginner, I recommend getting a supplemental book with detailed instructions on embroidery techniques. This book has some, but you may need more than it provides.

[What I liked:]

•The book shows close up photos of the finished embroidered designs laid flat, plus staged photos of the embroidered objects. I think that’s a nice touch, to have photos of the finished sewing projects as well.

•Higuchi’s work includes both intricate, interlocking floral designs & simple stylized ones. All are elegant & charming. The patterns in this book include whimsical & cute designs that appeal to children, and more sophisticated ones with lots of detail.

•There are brief notes on materials & tools, with a decent stitch guide including good photos.

•The patterns are in black & white, 2D format for printing. Each has very brief notes on colors, & which stitches to use on each part of the design.

•At the very back are instructions & diagrams on the sewing projects, & how to attach the embroidered panels/pieces into the construction of the pouch, tote bag, etc.


[What I didn’t like as much:]

•This isn’t a criticism, but a heads up: if you’re a new beginner to embroidery, most of the designs in this book may be above your skill level. While the book has basic info on materials & stitches, beginners could benefit from a more detailed instructional book for supplementary info.

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

This book is beautiful and well done. The scenes are varied and there's a lot of variety in animals. I do wish there was more variety in stitches. This book is very chain stitch heavy. But hey at least it gives me an opportunity to practice!

4.5 stars. Incredible book!

For many years, I have been a HUGE fan of Yumiko Higuchi’s work. It is filled with so much joy and magic. I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to her and have often wanted to embellish my clothing and totes with her unique style of embroidery. Honestly, I have also strongly considered getting a tattoo reminiscent of this style of stitchery - I love her work that much.

All fan-girling aside, I haven’t always been a fan of her pattern books. I often requested that the library bring in her works so that I could try them out, but once I opened the books it was as though she had strayed away from my most favourite elements to those much less useful for my purposes (for example, her book of embroidered people doing sports). My favourites have always been her greenery and flowers and bees .... until now.

Here is the book that I have unknowingly been waiting for Yumiko Higuchi to publish. It’s just magnificent!!

———————————————-

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS BOOK:

* I absolutely love, love, love these designs of animals and their surroundings.

* The collection of embroideries and sewing patterns for the totes/decor/accessories are very interchangeable. I also love just how many different kinds of objects the author uses as a canvas for her embellishments. With a pinch of creativity, there are an endless amount of projects that could spring from this collection patterns.

* The sewing instructions to make the included totes, bags, decor and accessories are well laid-out and easy to follow.
Each of Yumiko Higuchi’s animal designs has a beautifully stitched example, a pattern that includes embroidery floss colourway numbers, and a short list of tips on how readers can best achieve the same style.

* I feel relatively comfortable with a needle in hand, though stitching is by no means my go-to creative method (like knitting and machine sewing are). I have done a little embroidery, counted cross-stitch and visible clothing mending in the past. Simply put, I am not a complete novice, but I am neither a skilled stitcher. With that caveat, I think that the instructions for different stitch types is incredibly well explained, but that the instructions for stitching up the actual patterns may feel lacking for some readers.
I am the kind of crafter that is happy to go ahead and try things out. The more general “start here and then do the other stuff” open methodology works for me. However, readers who prefer exacting, step-by-step stitching instructions may feel lost for direction. Frankly, I think this depends on your personality and level of crafting confidence. Absolute novice embroiderers could do incredibly well with this book if only they are will to jump in, try things out and be willing to make mistakes along the way.

* There is always a sense of playfulness in Yumiko’s work, which is highlighted in this book in several ways. Instead of embroidering a horse, she designs a horse chess piece. The “ferocious” bears in the forest are nearly the same size as the trees. A fox runs away with a cluster of grapes. It’s at once magical and natural.

WHAT I DISLIKE ABOUT THIS BOOK:

* This book does not include any instructions on how to transfer embroidery patterns onto the working fabric. Although this information is, of course, available via internet search, not all of those methods are suitable or well-explained. They certainly aren’t all in one place. I recently reviewed another embroidery book that included three different methods of pattern transfer applicable to that work, and it only took up two pages. This book would have been greatly improved by such an addition.

———————————————-

Despite this one “fault”, this is absolutely my FAVOURITE book that I have ever read by this author. I look forward to using these designs to embellish my clothing and accessories, and make gifts for my friends and family.

Thank you to the author, Yumiko Higuchi, NetGalley and the publisher, Roost Books, for an audiobook copy of this title in return for an honest review.

This book isn’t huge but it is full of adorable and well conceived designs. I can’t wait to stitch the sheep needle case, and to embroider a bag for my son- the only question is which animal to choose. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for this unbiased review.

There are so many beautiful embroidery books on the market today, but sometimes one catches the eye and is really spectacular. I love the simplicity of the stitches and designs, yet blown away by the sophistication and beauty of the projects.
According to the books information "After graduating from Tama Art University, Yumiko Higuchi worked as a handbag designer, before discovering embroidery", and I am so glad she did, her work is beautiful and a must try designs.
The book is well laid out with designs, technique, projects and patterns all easy to follow - the only thing left is which one to start with.

There are two things that I really loved about this book. First, I loved that the embroidery patterns were simple enough to be used for children but also detailed enough to be used for adults. The author hit the perfect balance. The second thing I really loved was that there were instructions not just the embroidery but also the creating the base item itself! Great book to have!

Not having read or reviewed many embroidery books, it's hard to know how this book compares to others. I found it very interesting and inviting to go through. The presentation is well arranged, and the photography is beautiful. The grouping of topics is interesting: first group is all finished projects, with reference to pages of more info, then info about embroidery, followed by the patterns shown for the embroidery, then the patterns and instructions for the projects. In some ways it seems disjointed because one project requires going to 3 or 4 different places, but in other ways it makes comparisons and ideas easier. Explanations are simple, and instructions on embroidery stitches are very clear and well illustrated. However, I find the information on tracing the pattern onto the fabric to be weak. Perhaps if someone had done more embroidery work it would make sense, but if a new embroiderer wants to start with this book, they would potentially find that confusing.

Yumiko Higuchi’s newest embroidery book, Embroidered Animals, is amazing as ever! Usually, the first book is best because the author has so many patterns to pick from, and I don’t know how she does it but this book may even be better than her first in my opinion. I’m also a fan of animals so that might be a part of that too lol! I absolutely adored many designs, and I really want to make a lot of the patterns (the owl is so cute!). Yumiko has an original sophisticated style, where some of the designs are very delicate but also more sturdier ones - with sometimes a little humor too, I think this will speak to everyone. The instructions are clear and this book will make you want to start stitching. In fact, Yumiko’s first book has gotten my niece into stitching and I think that’s the greatest compliment a designer can get. I can absolutely recommend this book!

--Lively Animals with Personality!--

I received an advanced review copy of this book from the publisher, and here are my thoughts.

This is an amazingly inspiring embroidery book. There are many talented embroidery artists, and Yumiko Higuchi has to be one of my favorites because of the LIFE that is in her threaded art. The animals are not just idealized portraits of their species, but they each seem to burst with life and many hint at a mischievous nature.

If you use the Look Inside feature, you'll be able to tell if the designs appeal to you or not. I will add that I love that in addition to the usual tote bags and "embroidery as art" presentations, there are also many small projects such as a sewing kit, scissors case, brooch, etc., that inspire you to put embroidery on everything.

Like many Japanese craft books, the instructions are at the back of the book, and include basic embroidery lessons. So pretty much everything you need to know to recreate or reimagine your own designs based on Higuchi's projects, is included.

Highly recommended!

Idee originali, composizioni suggestive e a tratti ironiche: un tesoro di schemi per creare oggetti di ogni genere.

Very beautiful book. Nice selection of embroidering patterns, beautiful pictures and graphical design. The book starts presenting several pictures in which the embroidering patterns are used to decorate several bag styles, cases, pouch, backpack, cushions, among others. Next there is a section teaching embroidering basic stitches and fundamentals, patterns and project instructions, including tools to be used, materials, and molds for several of the bags and cases presented in the previous session of the book.
I recently started a new hobby of embroidering and I am still learning it. I choose this book exactly because I was looking for new patterns and I was not disappointed. I would say these embroidering patterns would be great to decorate kids accessories, as suggested in the book, but also good for young woman.