Simply Stitched with Embroidery by Yumiko Higuchi

Simply Stitched with Embroidery

by Yumiko Higuchi

Beloved Japanese embroidery artist, Yumiko Higuchi’s freshest collection of motifs, is showcased here on a variety of purses, wallets, and bags.

Inside, you’ll find an assortment of simple, folk-inspired floral and animal designs stitched in Yumiko’s signature style, as well nine lovely bag patterns inspired by the motifs. Beautiful step-by-step photos clearly explain Yumiko Higuchi’s favourite techniques for sewing bags, installing metal purse clasps, and making pompom and tassel embellishments.

Use these lovely embroidery motifs to make stunning, one-of-a-kind bags, or be inspired to design your own unique projects.

Reviewed by annieb123 on

5 of 5 stars

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Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Simply Stitched with Embroidery is a tutorial and pattern guide for surface embroidery motifs which is part of a series by Yumiko Higuchi. Due out 1st Sept 2020 from Zakka Workshop, it's 104 pages and will be available in paperback format.
I enjoyed this book. The pictures are all very clear and colorful, the projects are well designed and appealing, and the text is easy to follow. The introduction includes a discussion of tools, supplies, and basic techniques. The bulk of the book is taken up by the 9 purse projects. The projects themselves are varied and attractive, from small to large. Most all of the projects could certainly be easily adapted to other finishes. All of the templates and stitching diagrams are included. Each tutorial contains an introduction, materials list (nothing too exotic or difficult to source), and step by step line drawn process pictures from start to finish. Tips and alternative finishes are included in the tutorials. The book also includes a supplies and links list (but no index). There are many lovely color photographs included. It should be noted that these projects utilize surface embroidery for decoration (not cross stitch). Many of the designs in the book could also serve as a good jumping off point for dimensional embroider/stumpwork.

Really appealing book with attractive projects for an underrepresented technique. Lovely!

Five stars. Worthwhile for the fabric crafter's library. It's also very nice to see embroidery techniques outside of cross stitch getting some representation.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 2 August, 2020: Finished reading
  • 2 August, 2020: Reviewed