Hand Sewing Magic

Hand Sewing Magic
Essential Know-How for Hand Stitching--*10 Easy, Creative Projects *Master Tension and Other Techniques * With Pro Tips, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
by Lynn Krawczyk


A book that returned me to the 70’s when I and my mother used some of the stitches in this book to embellish shirts and jeans that I used to wear with pride – what fun it was to revisit my past through the stitches in this book!

Chapters titles include: hand stitcher’s tool kit, utilitarian stitches, outline and filler stitches, decorative stitches, dimensional stitches, templates, guides and resources. Threads are discussed as to what they are made of, how to organize them and how to use them. A variety of needles are shown and discussed. Fabrics to use are suggested and how to keep tension as it should be.

I believe that this is a book that provides a wide variety of stitches to try and use in a variety of projects, some of which are provided in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Creative Publishing International for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

Hand Sewing Magic has it all! It is a beautiful book with detailed instructions for a multitude of hand stitches.

The book is divided into five well thought out sections:
The Handstitchers Tool Kit
Utilitarian Stitches (3 projects)
Outline and Filler Stitches (2 projects)
Decorative Stitches (3 projects)
Dimentional Stitches (2 projects)
and also includes templates and stitch guides, and a resources section.

The author explains the use of each stitch and gives clear step by step instructions accompanied by well-done photographs of each step. Success is virtually guarenteed!!

This book is sure to inspire your creative side, and give you a new appreciation for the art of hand sewing!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Creative Publishing International for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

This is an amazing book, everything you need to learn about stitches it is in here. Tips about yarn types, hoops, needles, it is a great help. The pictures for stitches guide are beautiful.
Thank you Netgalley for this new lesson.

Un piccolo efficace manuale che introduce alle basi del cucito: filati e tessuti, punti e trucchi per rendere perfette le cuciture, che le si vogliano visibili o nascoste.
Dieci tutorial per lavoretti semplici ma d'effetto permettono di iniziare a fare quella pratica che, si sa, rende perfetti.

Ever wondered what to do with a needle and thread? Maybe you've tried it and things bunched or turned out lumpy.

With very limited materials, you can make all kinds of fun embroider and connect fabrics and and other items to fabrics. The book offers clear instructions on buying threads and yarns. It shows you how to make and use utility stitches, and demonstrates a lot of fancy stitches, including dimensional embroidery. You'll like the projects, from easy to more challenging - book covers, a scarf, jacket, etc.

Recommended - esp if you're a young professional with time to relax in the evening OR a young mom who feels like she has nothing to show for the day ... after dishes are washed - again, laundry is folded - again. I remember how much fun crafts were at that stage of life. Pick up a copy.

The front cover on this book looks lovely and drew me in straight away. It’s clear and concise and shows exactly what this book is all about. There is a clear contents page listing what is in the book. Not everyone can use the embroidery function on a sewing machine, not everyone can even use a sewing machine!! This book gives you clear instructions on how to sew by hand. The first 20 or so pages details all the different information that you will need, from threads to needles to hoops to tension! The instructions are easy to follow and can be understood by even an amateur (namely me!)

The book is split into different sections focussing on different styles of stitches, ranging from the more basic stitches, decorative stitches and fillers. There are projects to try in each section, all of which range in difficulty. Some of the projects are lovely, other, for me, look a bit strange, but the one which I loved most of all was the embroidered cuffs on the embellished coat! It looks absolutely beautiful and the design was so effective! Definitely one that I would like to try.

The instructions for the different stitches are clear and detailed with good pictures to show what to do. There are also templates for some of the projects at the back of the book to use. It is a lovely book and it shows you so many different stitches, but personally for me the majority of the projects are just things that I wouldn’t want to try. But there is absolutely nothing stopping me from designing my own projects which I’m sure I’d be able to using the stitches that are shown in this book. Would recommend for any budding embroiderist!

There's something a little magical about hand embroidery. Maybe it's the extra effort involved. Maybe it's the time it takes. Whatever it is, hand embroidery adds that special touch to an item, be it a framed decorative piece or an addition to a functional item such as a garment or pillow. This book is divided up into 5 sections: the hand stitcher's toolkit, utilitarian stitches, outline and filler stitches, decorative stitches and dimensional stitches. There are also templates and stitch guides included. Colorful photographs clearly illustrate the steps to create each stitch for easy to follow instruction for multiple projects. Hand Sewing Magic covers the entire process from choosing materials and tools through to finishing a piece for display, making this a perfect jumping off point for the new stitcher.

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group - Creative Publishing International and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I am new to embroidery, and this book is incredibly comprehensive. I enjoyed the artsy, eclectic feel that the book had, While it is not my style, I would still be interested in purchasing this book for all the good information it had. The projects are cute and useful. My only complaint is that on one page it tells you how to check threads for colorfastness if you want to wash your projects, but it doesn't tell you how to wash your project. I feel that might be important, especially if you use water soluble pens and don't cover up all the markings.

Thanks to NetGalley I received access to a digital ARC of Hand Sewing Magic by Lynn Krawczyk in exchange for an honest review.

The book is split into five main sections, beginning with The Handstitcher’s Toolkit, then followed by 4 sections of stitches classified by type, from utilitarian stitches to dimensional ones. There are also templates and stitch guides at the back, and a chapter on resources.

The first section is thorough and covers thread types, embroidery hoops, needles, fabrics, essential and pattern transfer tools, tension, troubleshooting and how to best stitch whilst ensuring you aren’t straining your eyes, hands or body as you work.

The sections on stitches are divided into the following useful categories: Utilitarian Stitches, Outline and Filler Stitches, Decorative Stitches, and Dimensional Stitches. Each stitch gets at least one page with thorough directions and large, clear photos of how to stitch it. There are also smaller, captioned photos showing variations of the stitch shown at the bottom of each page. At the end of each section are ten small projects showing how to utilise the stitches, from corner bookmarks to embellished coats.

This is a very good book with lots of photographs, and clear descriptions. Because of the name, I was rather surprised to find it focused so much on embroidery and decorative stitching. As I would like to acquire basic hand sewing skills for sewing in buttons correctly, and finishing off seams in plush toys invisibly, this was not the book I was looking for. Though I won’t be adding this to my collection of sewing books as soon as possible, this book is certainly on my short list of books to buy should I develop an interest in embroidery or using hand stitching as an embellishment.

This book is a great learning guide for both learners and intermediate sewers alike. I learned a lot of information that I feel like I should have known for years or perhaps had forgotten and needed to be refreshed on. Highly recommend on those learning to sew with your hands.

#HandSewingMagic #NetGalley

This book is very informative on details that are normally either brushed aside, or avoided because of lack of knowledge or the assumption people already know. Very detailed, especially in regard to threads, what they are, how to use them, what would give you the look you are trying to get. Wonderful tool for people getting into the art. Great work!

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Wow, this is a great book especially for a beginner in hand sewing. The information is really informative and very relevant, the projects are simple quick ones, that I would not be ashamed to give or use myself.
Even for an experienced sewing this book is fun. The information is delivered in Lyn Krawczky no nonsense style and covers every aspect of hand sewing, from how mercerized cotton is made, to all the wonderful stitches (with variations) all simply photographed and explained. The projects are various and I love the negative tote bag - such a simple but effective design.
Love this book

I’m fairly new to hand embroidery and found this a clear and useful basic guide to the different types of stitches: utilitarian, outline and filler stitches, and decorative ones.
Each stitch is carefully explained and the illustrations are clear and easy to follow.
At the end of each section there are patterns so you can practise your stitches on small projects such as a smartphone case, a stuffed bunny and a decorative neck scarf.
I liked the expert tips which, I felt, added something a bit different to what is essentially a basic embroidery guide.
The projects - ten in total - are pretty but not really things I would make.
I’d recommend it as a good introductory book and one that’s surprisingly clear when viewed on an electronic device. The author clearly loves embroidery, which she describes as a form of meditation, and her enthusiasm does shine through.
This is my honest review in return for a free copy of the book from Netgalley.

Hand Sewing Magic is the perfect "how to" guide for someone new to hand stitching and seasoned stitchers.
This book includes 10 DIY projects and several tips and techniques on hand stitching. It starts with the basics—threads, needles, and additional materials—and tips on how to store them. The subsequent chapters introduce different stitch and embroidery patterns and will teach you how to design items such as book covers, phone holders, tote bags and so on. This includes book includes templates and resources to inspire the reader. Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Creative Publishing International for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is an excellent book whether you are a seasoned hand stitcher or beginner. It offers detailed instructions, products needed and some patterns to try out.. I embroider quite a bit, but i admit i learned some stitches i had not even heard of. The pictures are very well done, large enough so the stitch designs are easy to learn. This book has meticulous instructions, illustrations and pro tips to encourage you to try out embroidering by hand. It is fine art i think and i hop;e people get this book and try it out.

I was given an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. The opinions are my own.

I read blessed with grandmothers who both sewed, quilted and hand stitched decorative items. They taught me and I passed it on to my daughter. This book was still able to teach me things i didn't know and to remind me of things I had forgotten. There are color photos and detailed instructions. The instructions even list types of supplies best suited for projects. I plan to purchase this book for my daughter.

I really like a book that has new and old stitches plus tips on how and where to use them. This book has both. Instructions are very clear and makes a great take along book. Thanks to NetGalley for the free download and to the author and publisher.

I loved this book! It's a wonderful introduction to embroidery with great illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions. I like the examples of stick variations with photographs.

Loved this book, found it really useful and really easy to follow. The instruction was helpful and informative without being talked at or down to and the little tips dotted through the book which really did provide help and ideas on completing projects well. Certainly got me wanting to have a go at a beginners project and feel more confident that I could use the book to complete something to a decent standard.

So can't wait to try some of the neat ideas in this book. I really enjoy learning new tricks and this is full of them. Thanks!

Hand Sewing Magic by Lynn Krawczyk is a bountiful book of ideas. While the title is slightly misleading, the book is wonderful and full of inspiration. The book is about embroidery with lessons and beautiful photos throughout. There are many wonderful chapters in this embroidery craft book. The first chapter being why stitch by hand and the idea of slow stitching. There is information about what to have in your tool kit. Different types of thread, whether it be cotton, wool, silk, specialty threads, hoops, fabrics are discussed and the benefits of each. There is a chapter on utilitarian stitches as well as a chapter on outline and filler stitches. There are additional chapters on decorative and dimensional stitches. There are lessons how to transfer a pattern and various projects throughout. There are pro tips from many sources to help the reader along her journey through creative embroidery.
I would highly recommend this book to those who are interested in embroidery and those who have some knowledge of embroidery or who have experience with this craft.
I would like to thank the publisher, the author and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nice simple book for anyone who has never picked up an needle before. The instructions and photos are clear and easily followed. The projects are abstract some any mistakes while learning are not drastic and can only make a project more personal. Could appeal to any age group starting to learn to sew. Lots of different stitches to learn and clear intrutions on how to overcome problems such a tension. Thank you to Quaro publishing and Lynn Krawczyk for this advances publication copy.

Thanks to NetGalley. and the publisher for an advanced look at this book by Lynn Krawczyk.
I hope to buy a copy for my middle school library in an effort to give them the information they need to make their own hand-sewn designs. The instructions for specific stitches, along with the pictures to illustrate them should motivate our scholars to create projects in the MakerSpace.

Thank you To NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy in exchange for my unbiased review. The projects in this I did not find personally appealing, but they are well described with ample photos to make them relatively accessible to new as well as experienced stitchers. The stitch reference is superb- I will keep this on my shelf for reference for new and interesting ideas for my felt ornament projects as well as for embroidering other projects. They really are magic! I did also like the scissors mosaic project for decorating a tote or pillow- it looks time consuming to stitch, but might make a clever gift for a sewing friend.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Creative Publishing International for the advance copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!*

Hand Sewing Magic is an in-depth guide to hand sewing and embroidery, complete with projects, perfect for the beginner who is just getting into the craft. I personally am about as advanced as this book when it comes to embroidery and hand-sewing, so I found it right on my level. The pictures are clear and the directions are easy to understand.

One thing that is particularly interesting about this book is that it seems to be a throwback to the 70s in terms of style. Vintage creations abound in the 10 projects, and to be frank, none of them were quite to my liking, simply because they weren't my style of project. The vintage bunny was cute, but wouldn't match my home decor. However, if you're the type of person who seems like they would like that sort of style, and if you're interested in hand-sewing and embroidery, then this is the book for you. Even if you don't like the projects, you can't deny that the techniques are beautifully explained. In addition to that, it's clear that Hand Sewing Magic was created by an author that loves the craft - her enthusiasm is absolutely contagious.

Would I recommend it? Yes.

Hand Sewing Magic was clear and relevant.

I actually got excited about trying out this realm of the craft world (which I previously found too detail-oriented and daunting). This one, with its clear organization with each page being a stitch type with picture examples of what it looks like and how it works, makes the task seem potentially possible. I've seen so many embroidered clothes (it must be 'on trend'??) for a ton of money, understandably so because of the labor it requires.. but maybe after this book I will try a little something myself!

I thought about trying this on a baseball cap and giving that as a gift? We'll see if I get there.

*Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review*.

Hand Sewing Magic is everything you could ever want to know about hand sewing and so much more. It is divided into easy to follow sections, with clear, concise instructions including tons of pictures and tips. I really enjoyed going through it and will be using it for reference for many years to come. Thank you, Lynn Krawczyk for this wonderful book!

I really liked this book! It is perfect for people who don’t have much experience with stitching and would like to know more about it.

The book is nice, colorful and pretty easy to understand and follow.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.

In this book about embroidery, we are shown through all the stages from beginning with a kit list and supplies needed to guides of stitches and projects to follow and try out.



Embroidery personally I find super fun and relaxing as well as rewarding when you finish your work and this book shows just how easy it is to get started with and I know when I was a beginner this would've been a great little guide to follow then too!



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Greatbook. Full of knowledge which is geared towards beginners but anyone can gain from owning this book.
10 wonderful projects. Guides to needs, thread, storage, hoops and more. A must for new stitchers

I have owned lots of books about crafts and sewing over the years, so I wasn't sure that this could add anything to my knowledge or repertoire. I'm glad to say that I was mistaken. This book is clearly laid out with very good detailed photographs that leave the reader in no doubt what they are meant to do. The projects look fresh, modern and appealing. I think this would be good for a complete beginner due to the clear explanations but also appeals to someone who has spent decades sewing in one guise or another.I like it so much I'm intending to buy a paper copy of this book to keep for reference.

4.5 Stars! This is a really great book for anyone that wants to learn hand sewing/embroidery! There are lots of pictures & easy to follow directions! I’m a newbie to hand sewing/embroidery and I found this book easy to follow with tons of helpful photos and tips! Anything & everything you need to know is included! Including 10 projects you can follow! Great book for an introduction to hand sewing/embroidery!
*I received this book at no charge from NetGalley!*

Thank you for giving hand sewing a new life. I prefer hand sewing and appreciate those who put in the effort to make an item so personal. This book provided some great tips as well as detailed pictures of stitches. What a good reference book this will be for those who are just starting out or for those like me, who do hand stitching, but need a visual reminder now and then on how to complete a stitch that I don't use as often..
The author makes the information in this book easy to understand. I would highly recommend this book for all stitching abilities.

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Hand Sewing Magic by Lynn Krawczyk is a craft guide done right! It’s unlike any sewing how-to book I’ve ever seen but what I’ve always wished for. It is full of information, clear instructions and new ideas.

Krawczyk has created a lovely guide perfect for beginners and for people who have been hand stitching for decades. I’m an avid cross-stitcher and have been hand stitching for more than 30 years. I found the ratio of information in this book to be about 15 percent I already knew and 85 percent brand new information.

The book begins with a list of supplies and tools the hand stitcher needs. Most craft guides begin with information like this, but Hand Sewing Magic explains a lot more than just listing supplies. It explains quite a bit about different fibers, how they are created and treated and trouble-shooting options for common fiber problems. The author gives complete instructions for creating a fiber storage system, offers an “Embroidery Hoop 101,” explains different needles and fabrics and suggests some extra tools that are helpful for hand stitchers. She also explains how to transfer patterns to begin a project and gives tips to avoid stitcher fatigue.

And then we get into the heart of the book – stitch guides. The different stitches we learn how to do in this book are divided into several chapters covering concepts such as utilitarian stitches, filler stitches, decorative stitches and more. Each chapter concludes with instructions for making a couple of projects using the stitches we’ve just learned. Complete instructions for about three dozen stitches – including some interesting alternatives to the French knot and some very neat 3-D stitches – are included. I had only heard of about a third of these stitches before. I have several embroidery stitch reference books, and I don’t remember ever seeing most of these stitches, but none of the books I own explains stitches in such concise, simple terms as Hand Sewing Magic. The photographs of each stitch’s steps are very helpful, and each stitch is made easy to understand.

I’ll be honest and admit I didn’t actual make any of the projects because they were all a bit “modern” for my taste. But the instructions all looked to be clear. I did practice several new-to-me stitches on scrap fabric, and they were easy to pick up because of the clear instructions in this book. I think the Eskimo laced edging and rice stitch are my favorite stitches I learned from this book.

Another thing I would mention about this book is when it covers the more well-known, tried and true embroidery stitches (ie cross stitch, running stitch, chain stitch), some examples and ideas are shown to mix these stitches up into something familiar but with an interesting twist.

I think this book is simple and complete enough for a beginner just picking up a needle for the first time but has such a variety of interesting ideas and good information the most experienced stitchers can definitely get their money’s and time’s worth with this book.


(I also posted this review on Amazon, but I don't have a link available to share for that.)

Hand Sewing Magic is a great tool for anyone interested in sewing. There are lots of instructions for different stitches. There are lots of project ideas. I can’t wait to get started.

This has a lot of interesting projects as well as stitch how tos. I learned how to do many more stitches than I did before. Very informative and easy to read! I also loved the vivid pictures!

Whenever I pick up a craft book, either for a craft I do regularly or one that just looks interesting, there are certain details I look at...certain things that automatically earns one bonus points. One of the biggest ones that I have found not enough books offer is a reminder of selfcare, and even less often, a list of tools to help eliminate as much strain to the body as possible. This book offered such tips, and it definitely earned it an extra star in my mind.

The book offered a lot of great informational breakdowns, including detail explanations of the different types of threads, fabrics and alternative materials. There are extremely detailed instructions on how to do a variety of stitches. The issue I had with it was that projects, while practical in their ability to help new hand sewers practice what they've learned, still looked and felt a bit *childish* in their finished form. Not quite inspiring to go out and attempt bigger projects That's the thing that lost this book a star in my opinion.


I would definitely use this book as a reference guide if I wanted to hand sew more often, and would give it as a gift to someone who expressed wanting to learn.

Having only recently diving into the world of hand sewing / cross stitch this was a beautiful reference which has greatly increased my knowledge.

I've just started getting back into hand sewing. I've never quite liked using a sewing machine so I found myself just not sewing at all, until I thought I'd try out a bit of cross stitching and maybe some embroidery along the line. I much prefer to do things with my hands than use a machine. This book has inspired me to pick up my needle and thread and just get going and trying new things. All the hints and tips are really useful for someone like me who hasn't doing anything like this in such a long time. I very much look forward to creating some of the designs seen in the book and the maybe one day, I can start trying out my own random designs. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interesting in some crafty makes in their spare time!

I just started to do embroidery and this book is a really nice addition to my reference collection. The instructions are simple and the photographs help to illustrate the different stitches well. I also liked a lot of the projects and might try a few of them with my extra pieces of fabric.

I received this book as a free review copy in exchange for a fair review. All opinions are my own.

This book is a great resource for people wanting to try their hand at embroidery. Detailed photos allow people to understand how each stitch is done and how it can look when finished and used in different ways. There are a few projects included in the book, but the strength of the book is really the detail in showing how each stitch is done. I was hoping this would be a good book for my middle grade students who like crafting, but I think it is more suited to an older audience. Recommended for middle/high school age and up.

Thank you, NetGalley for the preview of this digital ARC.

Hand Sewing Magic by Lynn Krawczyk is a wonderful book for a beginner like myself. This book teaches us how to have fun with sewing. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. Thank you, Lynn Krawczyk, for this amazing book. I definitely recommend it to everyone who is interested in sewing.

Not just a 'dry stitch guide,'Hand Sewing Magic is handy book about hand sewing. The magic comes from the application of the stitches in fun projects. The beginner level smartphone holder is adorable and the negative embroidery tote bag is just FUN.

The book is well organized, beginning with suggested 'equipment and materials,' Lynn shows the most basic stitches, then adds outline and filler stitches. It gets more complicated with decorative stitches and dimensional stitches. Photos are clear, colorful and helpful. I especially like the tips from the pros in each section! I recognized many of the stitches from my crewel work days in the 70s. She introduced stitches I had never seen that I'd like to try. I'm delighted to see resurging interest in hand work crafts.

Krawczyk encourages the magician to slow down and not be too critical of one's work. Part of the charm of hand sewing are its imperfections - its voice saying, "someone special made this."

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions are mine: reader, learner and crafter.

I have mentioned in a previous post that I want to start doing more crafts this year as a form of stress relief and I am really drawn to needle crafts for some reason. I haven't done any just yet, but I did get an embroidery kit from my best friend for my birthday that i can't wait to use and that inspired me to read Hand Sewn Magic, to learn a little bit more about stitching. This is a detailed look at several different types of stitching and really explains how to do each one. I like that there are pictures of the steps of each type of stitch included since I am a visual learner. It is very helpful to me to see it in front of me and be able to use as a guide. There are a few projects in the book to try as well. I think this is a great book for beginners like me who want to learn the art of needle crafting.

Amazing into to Hand sewing

Lynn Krawczyk’s Hand Sewing Magic is a wonderfully thorough book. I found everything I could possibly need to know to start hand stitching identified clearly in the book. From the supplies you need to the different threads and stitches to possible projects. The language and instruction were easy to understand and the illustrations and pictures were lovely.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley.

Hand Sewing Magic is a hand stitch guide for all levels with ten easy projects included (the bunny one is adorable). The book is divided into the following sections: Hand Stitcher’s Toolkit, Utilitarian Stitches, Outline and Filler Stitches, Decorative Stitches, Dimensional Stitches, and Templates. The chapters discusses the types of threads, hoops, fabric, needles, and all the basics to get you started. As a new quilter, this book with its close up and detailed colored pictures and descriptions of the different stitches has been extremely helpful. A wonderful resource book.

I loved exploring the different stitches in Hand Sewing Magic! I am an enthusiastic sewer but I usually dread the parts of projects that require hand stitching. Admiring the work of other sewers is fabulous, and I now feel obligated to get to work on perfecting my hand sewing. The project ideas included in the book are comprehensive and adorable, too.

A gorgeous instructional book. Let's break it down to the different areas:

Supplies
The first 30 ages of this gorgeous book are all about what you can use, should use and will be using in order to do hand sewing (otherwise know as stitching or embroidery). In Hand Sewing Magic most of the designs and stitches are known to me as embroidery, pulled thread or specialty stitches. There is a lot of benefit that could come from this book to cross stitchers looking to get into more elaborate stitching pieces (ie: Just Nan, Jeanette Douglas Designs, Victoria Sampler etc.) and of course to those getting into embroidery or canvas work. I really liked that the sample threads were well known brands and materials that most crafters would be familiar with.

Projects
The initial projects are cute and super easy to do. I really like that many have a practical application and aren't just stitching for aesthetic or art intention. Additionally there are no 'patterns' to follow. Instead you can see the stitch and colours chosen in the model but certainly you don't have to follow them or even consider them in your final piece. The projects are more about creating something and you filling in your own designs based on the type of stitches you just learned or whatever you may prefer. There are some templates for the larger or more complex pieces but these are really just the outline to draw on your piece before you fill it in with stitches.

Stitching Diagrams
The photographs are beautiful in this book; they are bright, detailed and clear. I had a little trouble with some where you grab or loop the thread around the needle but the others were easy enough to understand. I think my new favourite stitch is the Burden stitching. I had not seen this one before and not only did I enjoy trying it out but also I love the way it looks! Needleweaving and the cast-on stitches were others I enjoyed learning for the first time. Most of the ones I didn't know were 'dimensional' stitches that create more of a 3-D look. This makes sense as I am a cross stitcher which is very traditional and so these were more modern stitches I've not seen before.

Pro Tips & Variations
Throughout the book are little pro tips that talk about taking the work, project or stitch to the next level. These are generally to try and expand your thoughts on what are possible. I really liked the one on up-cycling items (i.e.: adding stitches to change the look of an old pillow).
There are also variation pictures for each stitch learned at the end of the instructions. These given you an idea of how you can convert and change the stitch to your own taste. And really show the creativity that can be incorporated in unique pieces.

Overall
I'm still not ready to give up my linen and even weaves and their square format with clear holes to move to the embroidery freedom shown in Hand Sewing Magic. But there are definitely stitches I learned here and could see using in the future in variations or modifications I make to existing patterns; or in creation of my own pieces. Certainly if I ever do canvas work again these stitches will have been very valuable to learn. And who knows maybe one day I'll be willing to move away from my linen and even weave into a more free flowing environment for stitching.

This is a great reference for new stitchers or new to embroidery projects. Otherwise, as with many crafting instruction books, it's a perfect library pick-up for a couple of weeks to get inspired and perhaps even do a project or two from.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

A comprehensive guide to a variety of embroidery stitches, including projects and ideas on how to use them. This book is filled to the brim with helpful tips, great photos, and information about everything you'll need to start stitching.

This book has single-handedly made me super enthusiastic about hand sewing. The kind of enthusiastic that I want to start a project right now and, if I wasn't dealing with my thesis at this moment, I would actually start right this minute and I would be writing this review with a project by my side.

The illustrative pictures in this book are gorgeous. They are full of color, whimsical at times, and they make my creative heart flutter. The instructional pictures are great additions to the written instructions & give clarity where only words on paper can leave you a bit confused. Some of these stitches are far more doable than they seem at the start, but still I wouldn't classify them as easy or straightforward.

I would say that this is a great guide for any beginner or intermediate hand sewer, but it might be a tad familiar for anyone with more skill than that. However, I am a big proponent of having a handbook nearby for when your brain has a temporary blank, so this book could be useful for every craft enthusiast.

This is a very thorough book with lots of different stitches I haven’t seen included in other books. The photography is clear and so are the instructions. This is a great resource for hand sewers and embroiderers. I received an arc copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Fantastic book with good details. Recently I have been able to rediscover my love of sewing and this book is an ideal helping hand for me!
Thank you

Hand Sewing Magic is a tutorial and philosophy-of-art guide by Lynn Krawczyk. Released 4th Dec 2018 by Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 144 pages and available in ebook and paperback formats.

There's been a renaissance of sorts for handcrafts, especially fibrecrafts. Once considered a necessary day-to-day survival skill and learnt by girls at a young age, handsewing is enjoying a resurgence as a valid form of artistic expression. There have been a number of really appealing books on surface embroidery and utility sewing lately. This is another good one.

The introductory chapters contain the obligatory materials lists and photos, but also contain and interesting discussion of the creative philosophy.. why hand sew when there are faster methods of creating a finished product. The author makes a number of valid points.

The next four chapters (70% of the content) contain a variety of stitches and several tutorial projects per chapter primarily using utilitarian stitches, outlining and filling stitches, decorative stitches and finally 3dimensional stitches.

There's an alphabetical index and resource page (slanted toward readers in North America). The book emphasizes the creative process and artistic inspiration much more than slavishly following a tutorial in order to create a copy of the projects in the book. There are templates included but they're very basic and intended more as an inspirational jumping off point.

Four stars. Some nice projects and a lot of good thoughtful discourse on the fibre arts process.

Hand sewing magic indeed!
This book is essential to any beginner or even intermediate sewer. I only know the very basics of hand sewing, enough to mend socks, pant reaps, or add buttons. In other words, I am the newest of newbies when it comes to hand sewing. And I immediately fell in love with this book just while browsing its contents.
Let me introduce you to what you can find inside:

Hand Sewing Magic Sections:
The Handstitched Tool Kit
Utilitarian Stitches (3 projects)
Outline and Filler Stitches (2 projects)
Decorative Stitches (3 projects)
Dimensional Stitches (2 projects)
Templates and resources.

I just adore the step by step instructions and the photos that accompany each one of them. As a newbie, I’m always thinking that I’m doing something wrong, but with the photos, I can be sure that I’m actually going in the right direction. I’d also like to mention how nice is to have examples of variations you can create with the basic stitches from the book.
In Hand Sewing Magic, you will find a variety of stitches, utilitarian and decorative, that can be used in so many projects. You might want to experiment with one of the projects in this book, but you can also just create your own projects from your own ideas.
I was already familiar with the utilitarian stitches, but the whole section on filler stitches and decorative stitches are completely new to me. I practiced a few already, but I’m yet to make a full project.
The section on materials is brief and to the point. Just enough amount of info, without fluff.
Hand sewing is such a wonderful skill to have, and I’m so happy that I decided to check this book and expand my very limited knowledge in this area.
With so much detail presented in this book, I’m sure anyone will be able to learn from it.
The tiny hoops with embroidery are my favorite thing in the book. I am dying of excitement, planning a little wall gallery for my craft room. I think it will be the perfect art gallery for a craft room and will add so much color, not to mention how fun it will be to make them!

In conclusion, I think this is such an amazing book, a great resource, and potentially addictive. (Will be adding a rainbow of embroidery thread to my craft materials; not to mention the fabric and hoops).

I love hand sewing I honestly think it is more personable than sewing on a machine so when I got the chance to review ” Hand Sewing Magic” I had to review it. I like that there are only a hand full of projects because this book shows you step by step in color how to do each stitching by hand. Not many books like this give you good visual instructions , but this one was fantastic! I learned 5 new stitches last week from this book, and can’t wait to put them to good use. My daughters both love to sew, so our first project from this book will be the "Eskimo Laced Edging" and the different variations.

Quarry Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Hand Sewing Magic. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Hand Sewing Magic is a great reference book for all types of hand stitching. The author takes time to run through the tools stitchers need to be successful, providing very valuable advice by way of tips and hints. I especially liked the tips from the professionals that are scattered throughout, as they have the knowledge and know-how to help even the more experienced stitchers learn something new.

Each section is designed with a specific purpose. Utilitarian Stitches are the basics, with many of them serving as a jumping off point for more difficult stitches. Outline and Filler Stitches are used to help fill in a space, create detail and texture, and give the work overall definition. Decorative Stitches are used to embellish the work, adding detail to areas or acting as a foundation for other stitches. Dimensional Stitches create texture, adding a 3D element to an otherwise flat surface.

Each stitch in every section is demonstrated and well illustrated in multiple ways, allowing the reader to envision the finished work. The end of each section has projects that highlight the stitches, allowing readers to practice what they have learned. The back of the book includes templates and stitch guides for some of the finished projects that are outlined within the pages of Hand Sewing Magic.

Having done embroidery myself for a number of years, using kits or self-prepared projects, the one thing that I always found lacking was a good description of the stitches and how to make them. Hand Sewing Magic fills that gap and even taught me stitches for which I was unaware. This is a good reference guide for this reason and I would recommend it as such. The only downfall to the book are the finished projects themselves, as many of them are more whimsical or rudimentary in nature. Readers who are looking for more polished works, with the exception of the beautiful embroidered coat (p. 99-100), may want to look elsewhere for their inspiration.