Libby Moore - Thread Folk: A Modern Makers Book of Embroidery Projects and Artist Collaborations

with a Secret Santa gift exchange in 2013. The recipient was my sister-in-law and the gift was a personalized cross stitched family portrait of her, my brother, their girls, and their chickens (or chooks, to my fellow Australians!). It was a fun, modern take on the traditional family portrait. Aside from learning a little bit as a child, this was the first time I had cross stitched. With the help of online tutorials and an old embroidery book I picked up second hand, I taught myself and it was love at first stitch! The feeling of accomplishment that I received from teaching myself a new skill and creating something delicate and beautiful with it was wonderful. Naturally, I had to stitch my own family portrait next!

Using social media, I shared my creations with friends and family and the requests came rolling in to immortalize other cherished families in thread. As time went on, my work moved away from cross stitching families and evolved into creating embroidery patterns featuring a range of other fun embroidery stitches. I have been fortunate to collaborate with so many talented illustrators and painters to bring their designs to life with needle and thread. Together with these artists, I produced a range of modern embroidery patterns and kits, all intended to fuel the creativity of anyone out there who, like me years ago, wants to learn embroidery but doesnt know quite where to start. I wanted to help be a catalyst for others creative journeys.

I love embroidery and the way in which this age-old craft has evolved time and time again to stay current and modern, all the while using the same embroidery stitches that have been used for generations. Theres something special in that. I love that I can feel like Im sitting in a Jane Austen novel, embroidering with the Bennett sisters, while Im actually stitching an avocado patch to wear on my denim jacket!

I am absolutely ecstatic to bring this book of original embroidery projects to you, including a few very special designs that I have created in collaboration with some of my favorite artists. In this book, you will learn how just a few basic embroidery stitches can be utilized and manipulated to create beautiful, detailed, and delicate works of art. There really isnt anything difficult about embroidery. All it requires is patience and practice; you will master the collection of stitches featured in this book before you know it.

I hope that you will take the time to enjoy this slow craft, stealing some moments here and there to add a few therapeutic stitches to your fabric and to be proud of yourself as you see your creations unfold.

Happy Stitching!

Back Stitch:

An embroidery stitch where stitches are sewn backward to the direction of the sewing.

Back Stitched Chain Stitch:

A variation of chain stitch where a row of back stitch is stitched over the top of a foundational row of chain stitch.

Calico:

Plain weave fabric usually found in white, cream, or unbleached cotton.

Carbon Paper:

A paper coated on one side with carbon or another pigmented substance. Used for transferring patterns to fabric.

Chain Stitch:

A series of embroidery stitches connected in a chain-like pattern.

Cotton Embroidery Floss:

Made of six individual mercerized strands, this is the most common type of embroidery thread.

Couching Stitch:

An embroidery stitch that uses two lengths of thread: a foundational length that follows the contour of the pattern lines and a fastening length that is stitched over the top of the foundation at various intervals, tacking it to the fabric.

Embroidery Hoop:

A tool to keep the fabric taut while stitching, which helps to keep stitches and tension consistent.

Fishbone Stitch:

An embroidery stitch where the stitches overlap slightly at a center point resulting in a braided effect, making it a great filler stitch for leaves.

Fusible Interfacing:

An additional layer applied to the backside of the fabric to add firmness and stabilize the work area. It is also useful to protect the backside of stitches on items that see frequent use (e.g. clothing). It has an adhesive side that permanently adheres to fabric when it is applied with an iron.

Fly Stitch:

A simple embroidery stitch that is shaped like a V or a Y, depending on the length of the tail. It can be worked horizontally or vertically, singularly or joined together in rows to create various effects.

French Knot:

An embroidery stitch that creates a small, tight knot.

Iron-on Adhesive:

Used for bonding fabric together without the need for sewing.

Lazy Daisy:

An embroidery stitch that is created with a single chain stitch, making it a great stitch for flower petals.