Embroiderers Guild
This is a beautiful book. The illustrations and clear and have a simplicity to them that takes a small stitched piece of paper to another level. The projects are mainly cards but that does not do the exquisite attention to detail justice. Many embroiderers are familiar with Japanese papers and combined with stitch produce a quality all of their own. The ideas in this book could be adapted for mix media Artists, sketchbooks etc. Each project is accompanied by detailed templates and there is a chapter on how to stitch your own designs. A delight to read.
Library Journal USA
Surface embroidery is most commonly used as an embellishment for cloth, but there are numerous traditions, both European and Asian, for embroidering on paper. The interplay of textures is fascinating, and paper embroidery allows crafters to embellish everyday objects such as file folders and notebooks, as well as special-occasion items including cards and ornaments. Japan-based artists Atsumi, Minako Chiba, and Mari Kamio present a variety of small projects showcasing the use of embroidery on an array of paper goods. As is typical with Japanese crafting books, the focus is more on the gallery of finished items than on the educational aspect of the book, and aside from a brief overview of supplies for paper embroidery and basic embroidery stitches, there isnt much direction provided. The traceable templates for the projects include stitch guides, allowing crafters to duplicate the authors work; however, novice embroiderers may find themselves wishing they had more information about how to prepare the paper and form the stitches. VERDICT Stitching on paper is an easy way to get started with embroidery, and stitched embellishments are increasingly common in many kinds of paper crafts, including scrapbooking. But unless crafters are specifically interested in one of the projects in this collection, theyd be better served with an embroidery stitch reference, such as Search Presss AZ of Embroidery Stitches.
Love to Make
There's a long tradition of both paper craft and embroidery in Japan, and this delightful book cleverly brings these two together. There are interviews wirh each designer and photographs showcasing inspiring ideas for more than 20 projects - you won't be able to wait to get started! The back of the book features basic stitches for paper and also all the templates required. We think the concept of adding stitching as an embellishment to paper craft projects is a real winner.
Crochet Addict UK
This book is packed full of simple beautiful designs. It's amazing what can be done with thread
Karen Platt- yarnsandfabrics.co.uk
Embroidery on paper has been brought into the 21st century with this book. Modern, contemporary designs are combined with easy stitching techniques. Create useful projects with the templates and follow the instructions at the back of the book. This book is suitable for all skill levels. The book is split into three sections plus basic instructions. The sections are Drawing, Writing and creating with Paper Embroidery. Good photos and great projects.
Rachel Hyde - Myshelf.com
Embroidery doesnt have to be on fabric, you can also do it on paper and card to make beautiful items like greetings cards, notebooks, table decorations and more.
A few years ago embroidering greetings cards was a popular hobby with Holland being the main place the designs originated from. This is a different style that is very Japanese, combining an understated elegance with a sense of colorful fun and goes a lot further than just cards. The book is in three sections each in a different style by the three authors, complete with a short interview about inspiration and background. Here you can see all the items made up and displayed. Then comes a section about how to do it and what you need, and finally all the patterns. If you are familiar with the Dutch style of making holes and sewing up and down them this is not quite like that but more freestyle, or at least there are options for this. The projects are not laid out in the usual manner but exist as photographs in the relevant designer sections and then the patterns with their pointers on floss color, number of strands and stitch. Patterns are drawn in lines not dots and there are two pages of embroidery stitches to choose from so there is plenty of scope for customization. The stitch diagrams are clearly drawn and easy to follow, complete with a photograph of the finished stitches. Sweet bags, photo frames, place name cards, stationery, party ware and even a paper clock are some of the things you can make as well as cards, tags and tree decorations. There are abstract designs, names, numbers and letters, tiny motifs and messages, suitable both for new embroiderers and those with plenty of experience. A new twist on an old idea.
The Papercraft Post Blog
As a follow-on to the colouring-books-for-grown-ups trend, can sewing cards be far behind? Theyre here in the guise of this delightful new book, Japanese Paper Embroidery! The three authors are design professionals from Japan, where both papercraft and embroidery have long traditions. Endearingly, the book begins with a haiku about paper embroidery, to set the tone of creative enthusiasm and appreciation.
The book contains 20 projects, appealing and imaginative designs that are not labour-intensive the concept being to add a touch of handmade charm to everyday items. In addition to the expected cards, many of the projects are 3-D (beyond the dimesionality of the stitching itself). There are ideas for packaging food gifts, an entire paper embroidery party set (love the animal cup holders), and even a clock face. You will find stitched booklet spines made of elegant, yet simple stitch patterns. Theres an entire embroidered alphabet for monogramming purposes cue the typography trend. (In case you were wondering, although this book was first published in Japan, all of the embroidered text is in English). Another fantastic idea is to revive 1950s-style embroidered postcards (you know kitsch holiday cards with Spanish dancers, etc.)... adding stitched highlights to photos or printed designs. The book contains Q & A interviews with the authors, finding out what drew them to embroidery on paper, and discussing fine points of the creative process.
The instructional parts of the book are well done with photographic step-by-steps. You are taught how to transfer designs, then pierce the stitching holes. There is a section entitled All About Embroidery Thread, which shows how to choose, use, and store it. There is also a spread illustrating the Basic Stitches for Paper Embroidery and suggestions on how to combine stitches to build designs such as the very fashionable mandala-style design on the books front cover.
Back-of-book is a template section (not all full-size). The templates are helpfully annotated with how many strands of thread to use for the design lines, and with making-up tips.
Although the actual process of transferring a design and then piercing stitching holes is fiddly, the paper embroidery is used sparingly so that the amount of work per design is reasonable. The concept of adding stitchery as a dimensional embellishment to papercraft projects is a winner.
For papercrafters this book offers a pleasant introduction to a new way to add to your decorative skillset.
