This is an instructional book for machine embroidery. Good, detailed instructions and good photo illustration. Neat techniques and pattern ideas.

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#CustomisingClotheswithEmbroidery #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #Craft

As someone who bought a mystery bag of yarn, fabric, and string at a thrift store I thought this book was very timely for me to read. All of a sudden I had a bunch of embroidery thread that I didn't have any idea of how to use. I'm excited to use some of the ideas in this book to customize my clothing and also just do some pretty visible mending.


I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Customising Clothes with Embroidery is a great book of projects and ideas for upcycling your clothes and creating something unique.
The book starts out with information and starts from moderate to more difficult as you go through the book.
You do need a sewing machine from what I can see in the book to get the straight lines in the stitching.
Some of these designs were really cute and if I had a machine myself, I'd definitely be having a go at some of them. If you love sewing I definitely recommend it!

(Apologies for the late feedback)

This was a nice little guide to upcycling clothing with embroidery. I love that embroidery is becoming popular again, this is a nice introduction for those that haven't done any stitching before, but could have done with more patterns.

Embroidery seems to be making a comeback and I am here for it. It has always been one of my favorite needlearts and embroidery on a garment or accessory will ensure I take a look. I love this book. Not only does it provide embroidery patterns but also knitting patterns which I was not expecting. There are many photos which is a necessity to me. The basic supplies and stitch instructions are clear and the stitch instructions have photos which again to me is required. Beyond the provided patterns there are photos of other projects to provide more inspiration. I highly recommend.

Great book about making more out of your clothes, embroidery and slow mindful crafting. I really like it and I think it would make a great gift for anyone just starting out or growing confident with embroidery, or if you’re looking for new ideas on how to use your skill.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my feedback.

The book is about embroidering on your own garments, using either sewing machine or hand stitching, but mostly the machine. Not embroidery machine, just regular sewing machine, with free motion stitching. Some of the designs are actually applique that you make and then stitch down to the clothes. I really liked the cutwork denim top - it looks good and seems doable, and it does not look like an afterthought, which frankly, most of the projects looked like to me. They just didn't look like an integral part of the garment to me.


I received a free digital copy of the book from NetGalley

There are many books on the market about how to create with hand embroidery , this one is not one of those, but concentrates on how to embroider and enhance with a sewing machine and using the both the straight and free motion foot.
The book starts with basic embroidered lettering, goes on to creating patch embroidery motifs with a sewing machine, things get a little more advanced with working directly on to the garment using a hop and stabilizing backing, and experimenting with different fabrics to upcycle some lovely items of clothing. Lastly there is a free range project to use all the skills learnt to create a fabulous colourful denim jacket.
There are some fabulous projects in this book and good information to give that old item a fresh new look.

Are you looking to take plain pieces of clothing and make them more "you"? This book has great ideas on how to make things unique. This book is full of ideas and instructions that are easy to use. If you are looking for ideas and how-to's, then is is a book you should pick and and use!

While this is a beautiful book, it was definitely above my (admittedly very low) skill level.
Mainly focused on machine embroidery, this book has clear instructions and some lovely projects. It would be the perfect gift for someone who is already experienced with a sewing machine.

[I received a copy of this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review]

I didn't realize when I requested this book that it is for embroidering clothes with a machine. I do hand embroidery so it wasn't useful for me personally but it's got lovely patterns and ideas for those who do.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

Repurposing clothes is one of my passions. As is vintage clothing, collecting fabrics and hanging onto those things from the latter half of the 20th century. I had hoped this title would be a good fit for my particular idiosyncrasies. There’s little that fulfilled that hope. However others might find it interesting.

A Pen & Sword ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my

Connie Mabbot draws on nature as her inspiration for her free-motion embroidery patterns and adds her passion and creativity, often using upcycled materials. One positive the covid pandemic has brought about is a resurgence in handcrafting, thankfully. I started embroidery at the age of six and my passion (obsession?) has only grown from there. There is something so special about lovingly making things by hand...and receiving them, too. Connie's book contains new-to-me information and tips in creating fifteen patterns. Her goal is not only to supply embroiderers with patterns and techniques but to inspire to branch off and create our own.

Connie discusses materials and equipment and moves on to the simplest patterns, alphabet patching. Then come gradually more and more challenging projects (in the instructions for each she includes skill level, materials, equipment and colours). My favourites are the sunflower, skirt and cutwork. I love that she uses what she already has, re-purposed. Loads of possibilities!

Hand embroidery is what I am accustomed to so to begin free-motion embroidery almost seems too much of a departure, yet it really isn't. Though I will continue with my old samplers and cushions, I do wish to finally try cutwork (on my list for years!).

If you wish to learn a new craft or more about free-motion embroidery, do read this book.

My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this interesting book and learning a new-to-me technique!

An excellent book for upscaling and adding personal touches to your clothes! This well written book offers step by step instructions for embroidering vintage or previously worn clothes, giving them a second life and extra panache. Instructions include detailed lists of materials needed. The introduction was charming, and the author's personality really comes through.

Most of the designs are geared towards a young demographic, and I think this book can help those interested in sustainable fashion and personal expression.

Lots of great ideas and love the focus on using clothes already in your wardrobe/bought second-hand. Instructions are simple and well laid out. However, lots of references to figures that I didn’t seem to have in my copy and which would have made it easier to follow. Don’t know if this is just down to it being an ARC.

I enjoyed reading this and found it informative and interesting.

I felt that some of the ideas were quite advanced but it did get my imagination going with new ideas.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Some embroidery can often transform a piece of clothing from plain to wow. I love embroidery and enjoyed looking at the possibilities in this book, though most of the designs are more suited for the very young.

The projects come in several levels of difficulty, with some for beginners to tackle. You will need a sewing machine for almost all of them. The author aims to get the reader comfortable enough to come up with their own designs when they have harnessed the basic skills.

Customising Clothes with Embroidery is a lovely book written by someone with a real passion for her craft. There are lots of projects and ideas to help you start embroidering your own clothes and make them uniquely your own. Some projects are very simple and can be done in an afternoon so it is suitable for everyone. It is a great book for our times when upcycling, make do and mend, and not wasting anything are a big focus in todays world. It is a book full of joy and fun and there is something for everyone. A great place to start the craft of embroidery.

This book is so very basic with no templates included. I would not feel able to recommend this book.

I love the idea of upcycling and customizing old clothes, or plain clothes, with unique and imaginative embroidered designs, and some of the projects in this book are very attractive. There are detailed instructions that guide you through beginner to more advanced techniques, including creating patches that are then sewn on to clothing, and projects that involve stitching straight on to the clothing.

It should be noted that these instructions are for free motion embroidery, which require a sewing machine, and you’ll need the right equipment before you start. The hand embroidery is minimal.

As a hand-embroiderer without much experience with machine embroidery it was sometimes difficult to follow – but that may have been the layout of the advanced reading copy of the eBook I was offered.