Doodle Stitching Embroidery – Move Beyond the Pattern with Aimee Ray
By C&T Publishing.
At Mr X Stitch we love to review textile art and embroidery books for you. There are so many great books to discover, packed with needlework inspiration and textile techniques, so we dive into each book to find out what’s good, what’s bad and let you know why you should pick it up. Here’s what we think in a nutshell.
Introduction
Jump into the world of Doodle Stitch Embroidery with Aimee Ray as your guide!
With its many ideas which can be paused and picked up again, there’s no excuse not to have a go!
About the Author
Aimee Ray has always been an artist, spending years as a Graphic Designer working on comic books and greeting cards. Moving on from this, she has developed a love of embroidery and now writes craft books. She still loves to draw and paint, yet this is now tied in with a love of stitching and making digital artwork.
She has two Etsy shops where you may purchase her work: Little Dear and Little Dear Print Shop
Aimee Ray also has a website and a blog.
Yet its her books we want to look at her previous eight Doodle Stitching books include The Motif Collection, Embroidered Woodland Creatures, and The Christmas Collection Transfer Pack….so she certainly has experience on the writing front!
Who is the book aimed at?
It has been written in a way that helps the novice yet does not come across as patronising to the seasoned, experienced embroiderer.
Content
We get the usual introduction and advice, then the projects.
There are twenty projects, each well illustrated and many very original. Lets take a look at a few.
Have you ever wondered what to do with all those offcut pieces of thread? Scrap floss? Well, why not use them and make a piece of art?
We particularly loved this idea, a way of using our children’s drawings – keeping them safe in a new way…..
From sketch to stitch – literally!
This project along with many others will work as great gifts, as they are tailored to a personal approach….be can make them individual to us. Stuck for a family gift? Why not have a go at making your own version of this?
There are of course plenty on templates, published at the end of this book to help you begin your Doodle Stitch.
Photography
We have picked a few highlights from the projects:
What makes the book special?
With its full page photos documenting the beautiful possible pieces to make, along with its clear and understandable step by step advice and instruction, this book is definitely one to get excited about. Aimee Ray comes across as enthusiastic and is an author fit for the modern Textile world. We imagine that you will want to share this book with others, even helping children to learn a new skill.
The title of this book really holds its special key – the idea of moving ‘beyond the pattern’. Aimee Ray helps guide us through making our own versions using her ideas – this is truly fulfilling as the outcomes really feel individual to us.
Anything wrong with the book?
That is up to personal preference!
Conclusion
We see this as a happy fun book and with Aimee Ray as our guide, we will be able to move beyond the pattern to reflect our own style – will you make a framed hoop containing your embroidery? Or how about a pillowcase, fabric book or a keepsake which highlights a special memory? Are you looking to make a gift? This publication has us covered!
