Monday, July 11, 2016

The Hand-Stitched Flower Garden Review & Giveaway

The Hand-Stitched Flower Garden: Over 45 Beautiful Floral Designs to Embroider, Plus 20 Great Project Ideas by Yuki Sugashima– Hardcover released November 2, 2015 by Kodansha USA. Japanese blogger Yuki from Y*Handmade shares her original designs for hand embroidery and practical projects featuring those motifs. The combination results in lovely handmade items you can use or gift. Her style is quiet and uncomplicated. Sew your way through the seasons with over 45 garden embroidery motifs ranging from only a few stitches to the addition of wire, bead and ribbon. Twenty tasteful project ideas introduce a variety of creative techniques. For even more possibilities mix and match. Or simply add a few extra stitches to your favorite accessories giving them a whole new look. Projects include thorough text, diagram and photographic instruction. Generally geared to the novice/intermediate level, patterns vary in difficulty. It's projects like these that build your skill and boost your confidence. Get your copy below!

CONTENTS

A Year in Stitches: Spring
Violet sewing machine cover
Butterfly pincushion
Spring snowflake scissors case
Daffodil hanger cover
Red clover cushion cover

A Year in Stitches: Summer
Dayflower drawstring bag
Strawberry key chain
Cosmos compact mirror
Ranunculus phone cover
 Fern leaf shirt

A Year in Stitches: Fall
Bittersweet oven mitt
Rudbeckia apron
Aster napkin ring
Acorn egg cozy
Fall leaves coaster set

A Year in Stitches: Winter
Snowberry brooch
Barrette with yew sprig
Flowering-kale necklace
Camellia scarf
Plum-branch pouch

Tools
Materials
Getting started
Techniques
Stitch directory
Templates
Index
Credits

A true novice, I'm making a leaf pincushion (Spring project). First I'll embroider a simple Chinese tallow leaf (page 57) onto a piece of fabric and then sew by machine. A collage of the materials I've chosen is above. All instructions are in the book, though I'm mixing and matching to suit my ability.

 A Year in Stitches: Summer

Cosmos Compact Mirror

Ranunculus Phone Cover

The Hand-Stitched Flower Garden is available worldwide at Kodansha USA. Check out their unique catalog at Kodansha USA. Kodansha USA has generously offered to giveaway a copy of The Hand-Stitched Flower Garden! One winner will be selected at random. Open until July 26, 2016. Canadian and USA addresses only. Good luck!





28 comments:

  1. I would also choose the Origami Jewelry book.

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  2. Another book I would like is
    The Quick and Easy Japanese Cookbook

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  3. I would love to have Quilt Artistry by Yoshiko Jinzenji

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  4. I've thought about switching entirely to reusable gift wrap before, so probably Gift Wrapping with Textiles. :)

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  5. Another Kodansha item i'd like to receive is the Practical Japanese Cooking book.

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  6. Snowflakes, sunbursts and stars.

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  7. I would like the "Create Your Own Japanese Garden" book.

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  8. I would like the "Moon Princess". I would love to read this book to my granddaughter.

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  9. Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match looks really interesting!

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  10. The Small Spaces book looks like it would be interesting for smaller rooms and homes.

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  11. I would love to have the book, Practical Japanese Cooking.

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  12. The vegetable sushi cookbook looks neat :)

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  13. I would love to have the book: "Landscapes for Small Spaces: Japanese Courtyard Gardens" Photographs and text by Katsuhiko Mizuno, Translated by John Bester :)

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  14. I'm new to brushwork, so I'd like the book: Sumi-E
    Just for You by Hakuho Hirayama.

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  15. The Decorative Art of Japanese Food Carving is one i would love

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  16. I would love to have Quilt Artistry by Yoshiko Jinzenji. It might be beyond my skill level but it sure looks gorgeous.

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  17. I also like the book Gift Wrapping With Textiles

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  18. The More Felt Friends from Japan sounds like a fun interactive book!

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  19. I'd enjoy the hand stitched garden

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  20. I would love the The Fine Art of Kimono Embroidery, so beautiful!

    kimberlybreid at hotmail dot com

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  21. Practical Japanese Cooking would be a super book to read.

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  22. I'd love to get the Vegetable Sushi cookbook for my sister in law.

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  23. I like the New Tastes in Green Tea.

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  24. The books Shibori for Textile Artists, The Fine Art of Kimono Embroidery and Japanese Country Quilting would all be very interesting. Thanks for this opportunity to win.

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  25. I want the Vegetarian Sushi cookbook. It made me hungry; I have to make dinner now - not sushi unfortunately.
    MPaula

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