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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
ARC provided by publisher through Netgalley for review
I think this is book for 2 types of embroiderers: 1) people who are already into mysticism and who want to combine this with their embroidery hobby and 2) people who are already into embroidery and are looking to try freehand designs. Note that both of those groups are people who have already done some embroidery. This book isn't really designed for beginners. It does include a chapter at the beginning describing basic stitches and how to do them, but it's fairly cursory and I think most novices will need to go to other resources for learning the basic stitches.
The High Points: There's some really great tips in here on how to embroider clothing and what areas of clothing are best suited for embellishment. It also includes some guidance on color theory and composition for design. All of which is great for someone who is moving past the design transfer phase and is looking to start coming up with their own designs.
The Bad: I really wish this book was organized differently. Johnson starts with some New Age mysticism / meditation stuff, but the book starts in earnest with the stitching tutorials (which are honestly too limited for true beginners) and then immediately moves into a long chapter of 'symbols'. These are pages of grouped icons that each have an embroidered example and a paragraph explaining their symbolic meaning(s). For example, one of the symbols under the Animalia heading is a swan, and there's an embroidered swan and a paragraph talking about the various things swans symbolize. There is nothing about the stitches used in the example or how to go about it yourself. That won't come for much later. Then we get the chapter on design theories. After that we get a chapter with larger designs that have (loose) instructions on how to stitch them. (No patterns.) We get another chapter on mysticism. Then we finally get a guide where each of the symbols from the earlier chapter has a stitch guide.
It would have been much easier to have the flow go from teaching the stitches, to here's some designs with instructions, to here some smaller items to use in your designs along with guides to stitching them, here's design theory to how to use these smaller items to create your own larger designs, and now we'll circle back to mysticism and how to incorporate embroidery into your practice.
Ultimately I think this is a pretty good book for an intermediate embroiderer with a New Age aesthetic/lifestyle but if you're a beginner, you might be better off picking up something else first.
I think this is book for 2 types of embroiderers: 1) people who are already into mysticism and who want to combine this with their embroidery hobby and 2) people who are already into embroidery and are looking to try freehand designs. Note that both of those groups are people who have already done some embroidery. This book isn't really designed for beginners. It does include a chapter at the beginning describing basic stitches and how to do them, but it's fairly cursory and I think most novices will need to go to other resources for learning the basic stitches.
The High Points: There's some really great tips in here on how to embroider clothing and what areas of clothing are best suited for embellishment. It also includes some guidance on color theory and composition for design. All of which is great for someone who is moving past the design transfer phase and is looking to start coming up with their own designs.
The Bad: I really wish this book was organized differently. Johnson starts with some New Age mysticism / meditation stuff, but the book starts in earnest with the stitching tutorials (which are honestly too limited for true beginners) and then immediately moves into a long chapter of 'symbols'. These are pages of grouped icons that each have an embroidered example and a paragraph explaining their symbolic meaning(s). For example, one of the symbols under the Animalia heading is a swan, and there's an embroidered swan and a paragraph talking about the various things swans symbolize. There is nothing about the stitches used in the example or how to go about it yourself. That won't come for much later. Then we get the chapter on design theories. After that we get a chapter with larger designs that have (loose) instructions on how to stitch them. (No patterns.) We get another chapter on mysticism. Then we finally get a guide where each of the symbols from the earlier chapter has a stitch guide.
It would have been much easier to have the flow go from teaching the stitches, to here's some designs with instructions, to here some smaller items to use in your designs along with guides to stitching them, here's design theory to how to use these smaller items to create your own larger designs, and now we'll circle back to mysticism and how to incorporate embroidery into your practice.
Ultimately I think this is a pretty good book for an intermediate embroiderer with a New Age aesthetic/lifestyle but if you're a beginner, you might be better off picking up something else first.
This book wasn't quite what I was expecting, and that's what I love about it. I was expecting groovy embroidery patterns revolving around mysticism and symbolism and all that (and I absolutely got them, an abundance of gorgeous patterns that can be used singly or combined at the whims of the stitcher), instruction on various stitches (Johnson's instruction are clear and thorough, with advice on how and when to use the stitches, making this a great book for beginners, and a good reference for any stitcher's library), and a bit of mindfulness talk. This last part is where Johnson exceeded my expectations; there is lots of focus on the process of stitching, the intention behind the work, what your trying to achieve by creating a piece. She encourages us to slow down and yes, be mindful of what we're doing, and to let ourselves create what feels right to us, meaning play with the stitches, make mistakes and/or let our work be not perfect, to go with our flow and not someone else's. It's quite inspiring, and can be applied to any craft, not just embroidery. Johnson also gives instruction on how to create our own talisman, including choosing colors, composition, and lots of sample projects for inspiration, plus ideas on how to create a ritual to charge your talisman. The book concludes with the patterns and stitch guide, and a list of resources.
Come for the groovy beautiful patterns, stay for the uplifting journey through the creative process.
#MysticalStitches #NetGalley
Come for the groovy beautiful patterns, stay for the uplifting journey through the creative process.
#MysticalStitches #NetGalley
Embroidery has been around for centuries, and this book takes a look at how artistic symbolism can help us to manifest change in our personal lives. This book suggests that creativity is a jumping block for magic, and introduces us to the idea that imagery is the basis for spiritual and inner communication. I loved the idea that intention is tied to our subconscious mind, which prefers to speak in symbols, and that by working with images and patterns we can boost our spiritual power. This is something I will take with me and continue to think about as I create art.
This was a wonderful read, thank you to NetGalley for sending me a free ARC!
This was a wonderful read, thank you to NetGalley for sending me a free ARC!
I really enjoying all the information in this book! It really has inspired me to dive into this craft and making my own clothing more special. for me. The photos are amazing, they really show you to detail of the stitches and make it really easy to replicate the patterns.
Thoughtfully and beautifully put together. Information filled but enjoyable and easy to read. Will definitely be trying out some of the stitches in my practice.
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
As a fairly new embroiderer and someone with an interest in the occult this book was perfect for me. The pages where they showed you the different stitches was a great instructional piece for new embroiderers or a helpful reminders for people like me who knew the basics but usually need a refresher on the wide variety of stitches available. Although it doesn't include any patterns, it did inspire me to replicate the designs in the book. I also found it wonderful that there was some information about the different symbols and what they could be used for.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in embroidery and the occult and I will be picking up a copy for my sister-in-law.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in embroidery and the occult and I will be picking up a copy for my sister-in-law.
informative
inspiring
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Let me just start off by saying what a beautiful book this is. I enjoyed the way it was written, the layout and the photos but as a complete novice, I think I was expecting more in the way of actual patterns.
I will absolutely use this book when I’m more confident in what I’m doing, I just adore anything Mystical and this book didn’t let me down. It also inspired me in my other craft hobbies (knitting & crochet).
This will be a great addition to my craft bookshelves.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.