Take a photo of a barcode or cover
76 reviews for:
Mystical Stitches: Embroidery for Personal Empowerment and Magical Embellishment
Christi Johnson
4.3 AVERAGE
76 reviews for:
Mystical Stitches: Embroidery for Personal Empowerment and Magical Embellishment
Christi Johnson
4.3 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced
How magical is this!
Embroidery inspiration and instruction, mixed with meditation and earthy mindfulness.
Nice
Embroidery inspiration and instruction, mixed with meditation and earthy mindfulness.
Nice
I like the author's emphasis on learning skills and techniques and then being creative with them, rather than exactly duplicating specific projects. The spiritual aspect of the book will likely appeal to some readers and is not so "woo woo" that other people couldn't get a something out of it if they wanted to. The creativity and stress-management aspects are an interesting and more holistic approach to a craft book that actually makes a lot of sense to me.
One niggle: The ankh symbolism in the "geometric shapes" chapter (page 60) only talks about "masculine/feminine," rather than the more standard "life" symbolism. It would be worth mentioning "life," even if the rest is still included. It makes me wonder about the accuracy of the interpretations of the other symbols. Worthwhile for readers to double-check if the symbolism is very important to them. I read an ARC; hopefully this will be fixed in the final edition.
That said, I think the rest is appealing and presents a different approach than the usual craft books. As a librarian, I will likely add it to our small library. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free review copy.
One niggle: The ankh symbolism in the "geometric shapes" chapter (page 60) only talks about "masculine/feminine," rather than the more standard "life" symbolism. It would be worth mentioning "life," even if the rest is still included. It makes me wonder about the accuracy of the interpretations of the other symbols. Worthwhile for readers to double-check if the symbolism is very important to them. I read an ARC; hopefully this will be fixed in the final edition.
That said, I think the rest is appealing and presents a different approach than the usual craft books. As a librarian, I will likely add it to our small library. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free review copy.
informative
This is a wonderful book for a specific type of person. I loved all of the artwork showcased. It was a little difficult reading digitally, I expect it works much better in print format.
informative
inspiring
This book is beautiful and inspiring. The pages are filled with step-by-step guides and projects, handy hints and lots of inspiration for creating your own designs.
RATING: 5 STARS
2021; Storey Publishing,
Gorgeous! The photographs, projects and writing are what the title promised, mystical and magical. I first requested this one on NetGalley, but the eARC did not do it justice. I borrowed it from the library to see the photographs...and now I want my own copy. Not just to pretty up my book shelf, but these are projects I would actually do (and not just drool over the pictures). If you are into embroidery - novice or expert - this might be one you want to flip through (and then add to your Wishlist!).
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2021; Storey Publishing,
Gorgeous! The photographs, projects and writing are what the title promised, mystical and magical. I first requested this one on NetGalley, but the eARC did not do it justice. I borrowed it from the library to see the photographs...and now I want my own copy. Not just to pretty up my book shelf, but these are projects I would actually do (and not just drool over the pictures). If you are into embroidery - novice or expert - this might be one you want to flip through (and then add to your Wishlist!).
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Mystical Stitches is a tutorial and style guide for embroidery by Christi Johnson. Due out 22 June 2021 from Storey, it's 208 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
It seems that surface embroidery is enjoying something of a renaissance lately; I've reviewed several new and upcoming releases this year on the subject. This one, in addition to being a very good basic tutorial instruction guide on the stitches and designs, also has the added attraction of explaining the symbolism and meanings behind the included designs, most of which have some mystical or philosophical significance.
The author has included not only the expected astrological symbols, but also a wealth of other pagan, Egyptian, nature/wiccan, geometric forms and shapes, numbers, planets, and others, certainly enough to keep readers busy and exploring for ages. In addition to the instructions and stitch diagrams, she also writes well and engagingly about intention and ritual, use of color, and materials.
The book does include a number of step by step tutorials for surface embroidery embellished clothing, ritual cloths, amulets, and others. All of the projects can be adapted for other uses. Stitch diagram recommendations are specific enough to follow and general enough to be easily changed to suit the reader's needs. Materials listed in the tutorials are easy to source and inexpensive. In fact many of the clothing tutorials will be a super opportunity to re-purpose and upcycle found materials.
The book has an abbreviated bibliography and links list as well as a cross-referenced index. This would be a good choice for readers who are interested in more esoteric embellishments for clothing and ritual cloths. This would be a four-star read evaluated only on the merits of the embroidery instruction, but the author's voice adds a great deal of value. She's calm, reasonable, engaging, knowledgeable, and there's a very kind and encouraging vibe throughout the book. Very well done.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Mystical Stitches is a tutorial and style guide for embroidery by Christi Johnson. Due out 22 June 2021 from Storey, it's 208 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
It seems that surface embroidery is enjoying something of a renaissance lately; I've reviewed several new and upcoming releases this year on the subject. This one, in addition to being a very good basic tutorial instruction guide on the stitches and designs, also has the added attraction of explaining the symbolism and meanings behind the included designs, most of which have some mystical or philosophical significance.
The author has included not only the expected astrological symbols, but also a wealth of other pagan, Egyptian, nature/wiccan, geometric forms and shapes, numbers, planets, and others, certainly enough to keep readers busy and exploring for ages. In addition to the instructions and stitch diagrams, she also writes well and engagingly about intention and ritual, use of color, and materials.
The book does include a number of step by step tutorials for surface embroidery embellished clothing, ritual cloths, amulets, and others. All of the projects can be adapted for other uses. Stitch diagram recommendations are specific enough to follow and general enough to be easily changed to suit the reader's needs. Materials listed in the tutorials are easy to source and inexpensive. In fact many of the clothing tutorials will be a super opportunity to re-purpose and upcycle found materials.
The book has an abbreviated bibliography and links list as well as a cross-referenced index. This would be a good choice for readers who are interested in more esoteric embellishments for clothing and ritual cloths. This would be a four-star read evaluated only on the merits of the embroidery instruction, but the author's voice adds a great deal of value. She's calm, reasonable, engaging, knowledgeable, and there's a very kind and encouraging vibe throughout the book. Very well done.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
A quirky, fun, interesting and inspiring book - full of information regarding mystical signs that you may want to incorporate into your practice or just read about out of interest. A fantastic, innovative book that brings the realms of mystical and needlework together.