Introduction 6
Materials & equipment 8
Stitch dictionary 10
Preparing a hoop 16
Using waste canvas 17
The embroideries 18
Taking the designs further: exploring your creativity 60
Doodle sampler: ‘The Garden 62’
Transferring the designs 64
The transfers 65
Carina Envoldsen-Harris is a Danish designer, blogger and author living in the UK. She has a background in multimedia design as well as in art history and Italian language. Under the name Polka & Bloom, Carina has been designing and selling embroidery patterns since 2009. The patterns combine her life-long passion for art, design, history and nature, often including floral motifs and bright colours, and which she sells successfully via her online store, along with hand-embellished items of clothing and accessories
Carina is the author of Romantic Motifs (2016) and Mandalas to Embroider (2017), both published by Search Press. Carina lives in Essex, UK. For more information about Carina visit her website www.carinascraftblog.com.
Ommm! It's time to practise mindfulness with designer Carina
Envoldsen-Harris' calming stitchy 'doodles'. Traditional patterns
such as geometrics, mandalas, labyrinths and knot gardens are
effortlessly merged with experimental free-form shapes. Every
project is designed to foster creativity and inner peace, all while
creating something beautiful in the process.
*Sew Magazine*
I very often find that, with books like this, there are only one or
two designs I would want to make. I was drawn to the book purely
for the labyrinth pattern, however looking through all of the
designs I know that I will be making most of them. As well as the
designs listed as projects there are some extras too which are
equally lovely. The reusable transfer was simple to apply and the
design is clear and crisp. There are several pages at the beginning
of the book which explain how to do the different stitches,
including diagrams. With the variety of patterns and if you use
various colour choices the possibilities are endless. This
would make a lovely gift, especially if paired with hoops and
threads to get started.
*Amazon*
This book is a breath of fresh air for embroiderers. All of the
designs are modern and fun as well as approachable by new sewers
but the big difference is that they are really suggestions and
inspiration to make the designs your own by choosing different
colours or substituting another stitch. Lots of clear stitch
diagrams and instructions for each design and there are iron-on
patterns galore to get you started straightaway.
*Amazon*
I love this book. It starts with the basics and explains how to do
different stitches. It also includes reusable iron on transfers. I
can see me and my daughter becoming addicted to thread
doodling.
*Amazon*
I won this book in a competition and I am so glad that I did! The
designs in the book are suitable for beginners in thread doodling
to people with more experience. Carina gives excellent instructions
and tips for each design and there is also a guide at the front of
the book to teach the techniques of the various stitches used.
There are iron on transfers at the back of the book that can each
be used up to ten times. After use there is a handy pocket in the
back of the book to keep the transfers safe ready to use again.
With each design Carina shows the stitches needed and the suggested
DMC silk colour numbers. I can't wait to get started with these
projects and will definitely be looking at Carina's other books
that she has available.
*Amazon*
I love this book, it's perfect for experienced stitchers as well as
beginners. It contains 20 fresh modern designs all beautifully
photographed. It also includes reusable iron-on transfers. For
anyone new to thread doodling there are step-by-step stitch guides
as well as general information regarding preparing your hoop and
clear instructions of how to transfer your chosen design. The only
issue is knowing which design to pick first.
*Amazon*
A bright and colourful book with easy to understand patterns. It
also gives you ideas to let you use your imagination to create
patterns of your own. Love the idea that there is a pocket at the
back of the book to keep your patterns safe. Can’t wait to have a
go at some of the patterns.
*Amazon*
Discover how to 'doodle' embroider with this fuss-free, colourful
crash-course. There are over 20 different designs plus 11 extra
transfers offering variations and ideas. Essential chapters on
materials and techniques are included, along with step-by-step
diagrams for the 15 stitches used.
*Machine Knitting Monthly*
Thread Doodling is a very pretty book and it has the most
beautiful designs to stitch. Each project has a different technique
and the patterns are transferred using the iron-on transfers which
are included in the book. Each transfer can be used up to 10 times.
The 'stitcheries' are not very large, but they are perfectly sized
for some quiet time, just to sit and sew. Each one can be
transformed just by using a different colour thread or using a
different stitch. I love the idea of free form stitching, you can
let your imagination flow and Thread Doodling is ideal
for this kind of sewing. There are over 20 ideas and patterns to
create. You can make them into samplers, cushions or use the ideas
to adorn your clothing. I think denim jackets look great with
embroidery doodles on them. There is a stitch dictionary,
with the stitches you will need to know, the author has used DMC
threads, but as always you can use whatever you have in your stash.
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced stitcher, this book will
inspire you to sew, as it is filled with beautiful patterns and is
complete with hints and tips to help guide you.
*Postcard Reviews*
Grab a hoop, needle and floss and pick one of these twenty designs
for instant mindful stitching. This book is all about
“stitching in the moment” and getting lost in the fun and relaxing
art of freestyle hand embroidery. There are designs to stitch
just as they are, and for more confident embroiderers there are
others to be customized. You don’t need to be an experienced
embroiderer to tackle any of these projects, although there is
plenty here for any level to enjoy. You only need the basics
to start, namely fabric, hoop, and suitable needles and floss
although even here you can stitch the designs in any type of
thread. Instructions and staged photographs are given for
preparing a hoop, working with waste canvas, and starting/finishing
your thread as well as quite a number of stitches. Each of
the twenty designs is featured on a two spread with large
photographs of the finished work, colour diagrams, lists of
stitches and numbers for DMC floss. There is a short piece on
what inspired the design, a nice touch to get your own creative
juices flowing plus suggestions for customization. The last
project shows you how to take it further with a freeform piece; the
inset photographs show how to build it up from scratch. This
would be even better if they were just a little larger, but there
are written instructions too. The rest of the book contains
the transfers, each of which can be used up to ten times and is
printed on a perforated page. As well as the twenty designs
there are other smaller motifs and some borders, plus a few
blackwork patterns. At the beginning of the book is a page
with ideas for using your designs including clothing, accessories,
and household items. Fun, colourful and contemporary this is
freestyle embroidery for the modern embroiderer.
*myshelf.com*
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