100 Essential Embroidery Stitches is a handy directory of 100 need-to-know freestyle embroidery stitches to refresh or add to your embroidery skills. Embroidery is like ‘painting’ with thread and this book gives you all the techniques you will need to create your own works of art. Whether you are new to embroidery and want to widen your repertoire or just need a comprehensive reference guide to look things up, you’ll find everything you need to improve your embroidery skills and feel confident tackling a wide range of projects. Organized into five main sections, the 100 stitches lend themselves to a variety of different uses. Running stitch, backstitch, chain stitch, split stitch and stem stitch are used for outlining, while others are used for filling and making textures, patterns, motifs and borders. Each stitch is rated for difficulty and is laid out with a decorative stitched sample and clear step-by-step instructions. There are also sections that cover other essential knowledge on tools and materials and preparing to stitch. Main sections include:  Lines and outlines - Bands and borders - Isolated stitches and motifs - Filling stitches - Couching and laid work "This is a valuable sourcebook for sewers, darners and knitters who like to add some embellishment to their work.  Each stitch is explained through clear step-by-step text and photographs, plus there’s a comprehensive guide to the essential embroidery tools, materials and techniques." —Knitting Susie Johns is an artist and designer. She has written dozens of instructional books on a range of different topics. She studied Fine Art at Ravensbourne College, went on complete an MA at the prestigious Slade School in London, and later gained a post-graduate teaching qualification (PGCE) at the University of Greenwich. As well as teaching drawing and painting at a local community college, Susie has years of experience running life-drawing classes and leading workshops focussing on pen and ink, mixed media, artists’ sketchbooks, drawing for health and wellbeing, and family art. She also teaches classes online on various platforms including YouTube.