Modern Crewel Embroidery for Beginners

Step-by-step techniques and 8 colourful projects

Paperback
$24.95 US
| $30.95 CAN
On sale Sep 15, 2026 | 128 Pages | 9781800923584

The essential beginner's guide to modern crewel embroidery, with 8 simple projects and over 40 stitches, from best-selling author Tatiana Popova.

This is a fully illustrated, must-have guide, featuring an inspiring combination of cotton threads, vibrant colors and contemporary designs.


Popular crewelwork designer Tatiana Popova has taught thousands of beginners how to sew and has distilled her years of experience into this inspiring book. The 8 projects are carefully chosen to build up your confidence through practice. Each will teach you new stitches, and will gradually develop your skills as you work through the book.

This comprehensive beginner's guide contains:
  • Guidance on everything you need to get started, from essential tools and materials and choosing your embroidery threads, to threading your needle, making your first stitches and fastening off;
  • Clear step-by-step photographs and simple stitching instructions, which make this the perfect crewel embroidery manual, whether you are stitching for the first time or revisiting the basics;
  • Full-size templates to help you accurately copy the designs, and get started quickly;
  • 8 stylish modern floral designs to embroider, each one teaching and consolidating new stitches. Choose from a stunning pattern of gum tree leaves, a majestic poppy, a carpet of snowdrops and more.
  • Helpful friendly guidance, and a simple course-style progression that allows you to build up your skills as you work through the book.

Create your own stunning colorful embroideries using simple crewelwork stitches, all worked in embroidery cotton for a beautiful for a wonderful contemporary finish.
Tatiana Popova is a Ukrainian embroiderer. She learnt to stitch at an early age and for a time pursued her passion for stitching by studying a huge variety of embroidery styles and techniques, both at school and in her own time.

Flowers have always had a special appeal to her. Having trained as a floristry designer, Tatiana continues making flower arrangements, now worked in silk ribbon and thread. She started her own business, Owl Crafts Company, producing kits for silk ribbon and crewel embroidery. Tatiana teaches at a number of craft shows and Embroidery Guilds all around the world, including the UK, USA, Japan and Australia. This is her 4th book with Search Press. 

You can find out more about Tatiana and her work on her website www.owl-crafts.com
Introduction; How to use this book; Getting started with crochet
PROJECTS; Beginner; 1. Double crochet: fingerless mittens; 2. Treble crochet: scarf; 3. Half treble: vest/tank top; 4. Double treble: poncho; 5. Combination stitches: cardigan
Intermediate; 6. Moss stitch: waistcoat; 7. V-stitch: jumper; 8. Granny stripe: dress; 9. Shell stitch: long coatigan; 10. Combination stitches: pinafore dress
Advanced; 11. Corner to corner: jumper; 12. Ripple stitch: skirt; 13. Cable stitch: cardigan; 14. Heart stitch: jacket; 15. Combination stitches: patchwork dungarees
Tools and materials; Yarn substitutions; Stitch glossary; Index

About

The essential beginner's guide to modern crewel embroidery, with 8 simple projects and over 40 stitches, from best-selling author Tatiana Popova.

This is a fully illustrated, must-have guide, featuring an inspiring combination of cotton threads, vibrant colors and contemporary designs.


Popular crewelwork designer Tatiana Popova has taught thousands of beginners how to sew and has distilled her years of experience into this inspiring book. The 8 projects are carefully chosen to build up your confidence through practice. Each will teach you new stitches, and will gradually develop your skills as you work through the book.

This comprehensive beginner's guide contains:
  • Guidance on everything you need to get started, from essential tools and materials and choosing your embroidery threads, to threading your needle, making your first stitches and fastening off;
  • Clear step-by-step photographs and simple stitching instructions, which make this the perfect crewel embroidery manual, whether you are stitching for the first time or revisiting the basics;
  • Full-size templates to help you accurately copy the designs, and get started quickly;
  • 8 stylish modern floral designs to embroider, each one teaching and consolidating new stitches. Choose from a stunning pattern of gum tree leaves, a majestic poppy, a carpet of snowdrops and more.
  • Helpful friendly guidance, and a simple course-style progression that allows you to build up your skills as you work through the book.

Create your own stunning colorful embroideries using simple crewelwork stitches, all worked in embroidery cotton for a beautiful for a wonderful contemporary finish.

Author

Tatiana Popova is a Ukrainian embroiderer. She learnt to stitch at an early age and for a time pursued her passion for stitching by studying a huge variety of embroidery styles and techniques, both at school and in her own time.

Flowers have always had a special appeal to her. Having trained as a floristry designer, Tatiana continues making flower arrangements, now worked in silk ribbon and thread. She started her own business, Owl Crafts Company, producing kits for silk ribbon and crewel embroidery. Tatiana teaches at a number of craft shows and Embroidery Guilds all around the world, including the UK, USA, Japan and Australia. This is her 4th book with Search Press. 

You can find out more about Tatiana and her work on her website www.owl-crafts.com

Table of Contents

Introduction; How to use this book; Getting started with crochet
PROJECTS; Beginner; 1. Double crochet: fingerless mittens; 2. Treble crochet: scarf; 3. Half treble: vest/tank top; 4. Double treble: poncho; 5. Combination stitches: cardigan
Intermediate; 6. Moss stitch: waistcoat; 7. V-stitch: jumper; 8. Granny stripe: dress; 9. Shell stitch: long coatigan; 10. Combination stitches: pinafore dress
Advanced; 11. Corner to corner: jumper; 12. Ripple stitch: skirt; 13. Cable stitch: cardigan; 14. Heart stitch: jacket; 15. Combination stitches: patchwork dungarees
Tools and materials; Yarn substitutions; Stitch glossary; Index
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