The Essential Embroidery Stitches Card Deck

Booklet:

Introduction
Needles & threads
Stitch techniques
Credits

Cards:

Line stitches
Running stitch, Whipped running stitch, Backstitch & whipped backstitch, Stem stitch, Split stitch Chevron stitch

Chain stitches
Chain stitch, Heavy chain stitch, Coral stitch, Scroll stitch

Blanket stitches
Blanket stitch, Long-and-short blanket stitch, Double blanket stitch, Buttonhole stitch, Buttonhole wheels, Loop stitch

Crossed stitches
Cross stitch, Upright Cross stitch +1, Star stitch, Long-armed cross stitch, Tied cross stitch, Zigzag stitch, Herringbone stitch, Tied herringbone stitch, Fishbone stitch

Feather stitches
Feather stitch, Long-armed feather stitch, Open Cretan stitch, Closed feather stitch, Double feather stitch

Satin stitches
Satin, Padded satin, Long-and-short satin stitch, Brick stitch

Couching
Couching, Bricking, Zigzag couching, Trailing, Bunched couching

Detached stitches
Straight stitch, Seeding stitch, French knots, Fern stitch, Fly stitch, Detached chain, Sheaf stitch, Bullion knots, Star stitch, Eyelet wheels, Wheatear stitch

About Betty Barnden

Betty Barnden is a freelance needlecraft designer who studied furniture design at the Royal College of Art (where she made her first tubular knitted chairs). Betty has designed knitting patterns for companies such
as Sirdar, Patons, Jaeger and King Cole. Her knitwear, embroidery and crochet designs have appeared in many magazines over the years, and she has also designed embroidery projects and kits.

Ailish Henderson

This card deck contains all we would find in a literal book on this subject of embroidery. Why is is worth a look? I feel it would attract those who are maybe newer to this art form - no they may not feel able to pick up a literal embroidery book and pick and choose stitches to try. However they may feel strong enough to pick a card, as it were and simply isolate that stitch to try. Each card has clear basic instructions and imager, just like a book. I would deem that it has been thoughtfully designed, it is tasteful and comes from someone who knows - this is not a novelty in content.

The deck itself content wise has been derived from a book by the same author.

I feel that it would also prove useful as a valuable teaching tool.

It is also great to take away with you and doesnt it make a nice change to taking a book or google online searches? It is not heavy or bulky, so an easy bag and go.

No, this is not a must have purchase, but you know what, it can make life nicer. It could be a personal present, or a gift for someone you know who loves to craft. I am thinking that this is a great leave on the table and have a talk about it option.

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Customer Review

A sturdy and attractive box that holds individual cards and informative booklet. They will gently take you through the techniques of 50 basic embroidery stitches that you will love. I recommend them for anyone who is either a complete beginner, or, like me, has struggled in the past to learn and remember how to embroider. A card deck is so to the point too! You dont have to read through a book that has so much information that you become overwhelmed. In this age of too fast a pace and so much sensory input, this is so helpful in slowing our pace. Take one card at a time, relax, and your skills will grow before you know it.

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Customer Review

I love this card deck, it beautifully boxed and so handy for taking on holiday etc. Each card is really clear and in full colour. It is so easy to search through the deck and pick out the stitch you want to do. I don't know how I managed before this came out, its a real must for any stitcher and I cant wait to work my way through each stitch card.

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Customer Review

This 50 card deck of the core embroidery stitches would make a fantastic gift or stocking stuffer, as well as being a very useful resource for your home embroidery reference library.

The cards are a good size, the storage box is very sturdy, and the instructions are clear and easy to follow. The pictures are also very easy to understand.

If youre anything like me and constantly forget how a stitch is supposed to go, having this deck to hand is a real time saver. Id definitely recommend it to beginners as well as more experienced stitchers looking for the perfect stitch. Id love to see a crochet deck too!

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Customer Review

This is a lovely resource for both the novice and experienced embroiderer. The cards are a great size and really sturdy. They would be handy to slip into your sewing pouch so you had the relevant cards with you to refer to when out and about, rather than using a screen that keeps switching off, or carrying a book containing all the stitches when youre only using 2 or 3.

There are 50 stitch cards, covering a wide variety of stitches, from the familiar to unusual such as eyelet wheels, bricking, loop stitch, tied herringbone and more. One side of the card gives a photo of the finished stitch in various sizes or threads so you can see the potential. Also it details any other names the stitch is known by, the uses of the stitch and some additional notes about working the stitch, or suitable fabrics etc. On the back of the card there are clear diagrams and written instructions on how to execute the stitch. There are 8 colour-coded categories of stitches. Theres a little booklet with a list of the categories and stitches, needle types, fabrics, thread types and general stitching advice. I love the fact that the booklet is stitched rather than stapled! A very appropriate finish.

I would recommend this to anyone with a love of embroidery.

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Customer Review

Why has no-one thought to do this before, the embroidery card deck is a brilliant concept. It's such a good idea to group the stitches and how to use each one.

The set of cards are split into colour coded categories: Blanket Stitch, Chain Stitch, Crossed Stitch,  Feather Stitch, Detached Stitch, Couching, Line Stitch, Satin Stitch.

There are then various cards in each category detailing the ways you can use the Stitch. For example Blanket Stitch, long and short Blanket Stitch, double Blanket Stitch etc. The front of the card shows what the stitch looks like,  it gives alternative name for the stitch,  what uses it has and notes on usage. The reverse of each card gives the instructions and a diagram of how to work it.

You can find a card with the stitch you want to work on and don't have to have the rest of the cards with you unless you want to.  No bulky book with you if you take your stitching out to a group or friends.

The cards come in a neat box to keep them  together.

I am sure you will want to share how versatile this group of cards are to your colleagues and friends.

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CrossStitcher, August 2024

This handy card deck is perfect for embroidery beginners, allowing them to choose and create 50 stitches. Inside the box, you'll find a booklet filled with essential embroidery advice. The 50 colourful cards feature individual embroidery stitches, each displaying a photo of the completed stitch, suggested uses, and alternative names. Flip the card over for a clear illustration and step-by-step instructions for that specific stitch.

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Customer Review

I was pleasantly surprised when I received the card deck of embroidery stitches as they arrive in their own small sturdy box and include a short introduction booklet covering general information about needles, threads and stitch techniques to get you started.

The cards, measuring approximately 6.5" x 3.25", sit neatly in the hand and have a clear colour photograph with stitch description on the front and both pictorial and written instructions to create the stitch detailed on the reverse. These are definitely beginner friendly, but also offer inspiration for the intermediate stitcher wishing to move on from the basics. For instance, the buttonhole stitch section has 6 cards, which shows how versatile this stitch can be.

The card deck is very portable, but I like the option to remove the cards of interest and take just those along to my stitching group. I hope the author creates a further set of these cards with different or more advanced stitches as these make a great addition to any home sewing library. What a great idea these are and so giftable too.

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Issue 149

This set of cards is perfect for beginners and experienced stitchers alike. It includes a handbook with essential embroidery info and 50 cards spotlighting individual stitches. Each card features a snapshot of the finished stitch, suggested applications, and clear step-by-step instructions. Based on Betty Barnden's acclaimed book, The Embroidery Stitch Bible, this versatile card deck is a great addition to any embroiderer's bookshelf.

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Issue 55

Looking to expand your stitchy skills? Well look no further than this handy deck of cards. They're perfect for popping in your project bag and practicing on your lunch break or a journey. Showcasing 50 useful embroidery stitches with easy-to-follow diagrams, this is the ideal gift for a crafter looking to broaden their knowledge and enhance their work.

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Machine Knitting Monthly

This sturdy box contains 50 cards (140 x 85mm) and a 16-page booklet packed with all the essential know-how we need to master the art of embroidery. Beginner tips and expert techniques slip in a bag for on-the-go stitching.