Are you ready for something exciting? Aimee Ray has a new embroidery book called Doodle Stitching Embroidery Art! This latest title in her (amazing) series teaches you how to move beyond the pattern. Oh, and in this special blog tour post, you'll also have the opportunity to win a free copy of the eBook edition!
I've always been a fan of the Doodle Stitching series (and humbly grateful when I got to contribute to one of them). So when I heard about this new one I was excited. I mean, who doesn't love to flip or scroll through new embroidery ideas?
Now, what exactly does it mean to move beyond the pattern? Well, for one thing, it doesn't mean that there are no patterns in the book. Nope, nope, nope. You'll find plenty of classically Aimee Ray motifs and even some larger patterns. But the goal is stitching without fully relying on a pattern, and that is an excellent skill to have.
For example, in the photo above, the book includes all the patterns that you see stitched. But you can embroider any star constellation and use the same stitching technique that's in the book.
That's one simple example, but if you want to get more adventurous, Aimee shares her method for thread painting:
I love that the final result is more like an impressionist painting and less realistic. It's very on-brand for Doodle Stitching! And it feels attainable for anyone who has a moderate amount of embroidery experience.
Of course, there are plenty of other types of projects, including some quick-stitch charms and patches, multi-hoop projects, and the coolest scrap floss idea I've ever seen.
Want to win a copy of Doodle Stitching Embroidery Art? I know you do! C&T Publishing is giving away a copy of the eBook edition to one lucky Wild Olive reader. (For full clarity, the winner will receive a digital copy only.)
UPDATE: Giveaway CLOSED. Congratulations to ajart, who commented "I'm interested in learning some of the basics. I can do the blanket stitch and the French Knot, but that's about it. I purchased a couple of the sampler kits from you but I've put them away for Christmas gifts (from me, to me -- just what I want ;-) . I'd love to learn this art! Looks fabulous!"
Giveaway details: Giveaway closes Friday, August 28 at midnight. The winner will be announced on Saturday, August 29, here on this post. One entry per person, please. No purchase necessary. Giveaway is open worldwide. Void where prohibited.
Oh, and since this is a blog tour for the book, I'm not the only person sharing and giving away the eBook version. Be sure to stop by all these blogs and Instagram accounts for more info and a chance to win!
August 24
C&T
MrXStitch
August 25
Wild Olive
(you're here!)
Cozy Blue Handmade
August 26
Benzie Design
Jessica Long
August 27
Snuggly Monkey
August 28
Carina’s Craft Blog
Aimee Ray
I would love to learn how to make a good French knot - I have tried so many times but am never happy with what I do!
ReplyDeleteI want to learn how to do a good bullion stitch. I can do French knots, but I can’t seem to manage a tight bullion stitch. What I’d *really* love to learn is how to do nice, smooth, even satin stitches to fill in shapes!
ReplyDeleteAck! My email is jhwilliams73@gmail.com.
DeleteI have always loved the satin stitch & after many years, it is still a work in progress! Thank you, Susan
ReplyDeleteI would love to become better at all of them! I haven’t embroidered in years. I would like to learn how to stem stitch though b
ReplyDeleteThe French knot is one that I love (after years of avoiding it) once I learned how to make it. (actually it is easy now.)
ReplyDeletegeneblack@gmail.com
I own all of Aimee's books so I'm thrilled to see a new one come out! I love making French knots but my satin stitch always needs improvement. linda@lindabarutha.com
ReplyDeleteI love making french knots!
ReplyDeleteI love to make the lazy daisy stitch and want to learn the bullion! thank you!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite stitch is the lazy daisy. I just like making it for some reason, but I have been working on improving my back stitching and recently the satin stitch.
ReplyDeleteI like French knots and simple backstitch. I need to branch out more in my stitching and improve my satin stitch.
ReplyDeleteI adore the colonial knot because it turns out so consistently as well as the chain stitch (the cheater way lol!)
ReplyDeleteI love wowen wheel and french knot!
ReplyDeleteI like the French knot, wheatear stitch, feather stitch, buttonhole, cast on stitch etc :) My email address is....mabtate@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi! I really enjoyed making French Knots. I didn’t in the beginning, but my better with practice of course. I’d like to take some time and learn the Woven Picot.
ReplyDeleteI love the lazy daisy stitch!! It’s so beautiful and textured
ReplyDeleteObsessed with satin stitch lately!! Obsessed!!
ReplyDeleteObsessed with satin stitch lately!! Obsessed!!
ReplyDeleteI’m really enjoying exploring embroidery painting, using each color as shading is so rewarding!
ReplyDeleteThe backstitch, nice and simple :)
ReplyDeletec.j.m.71email(at)gmail.com
The French knot! sapiome29(at)gmail.com
ReplyDeletethe backstitch is the only one I know but I would love to learn more
ReplyDeleteI’d like to learn the needle-painting stitch
ReplyDeleteJosephine.junkmail123@gmail.com
Oh, I really want to know how to make good french knots, mine are autentic disasters, ha ha!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to learn a good bullion stitch. My French knots aren't great either. But I'd really like to learn how to have time to stitch at all. LOL ar06schmid @ gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThe French knot has always been my favorite! I love the texture it adds. Good luck to all on winning the book.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Aubrey
aharns@cox.net
I'm so new to this, only trying this new hobby during caronacation... I love it! So far, I like stem stitch and French knots. Cassia40@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy backstitch but I'd like to be more precise with my stitch length. Thank you for the opportunity to win! Alisha. jasongravette@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI really like the split stitch. Even if it's sometimes difficult to split it just right. stenaros [at] gmail [dot] com
ReplyDeleteI’m new to embroidery so I’m excited to learn everything!
ReplyDeleteJennybenny21@hotmail.com
DeleteWow, looks beautiful. I don't remember the name of the stitch that I like but I would use it for making curved mouths on dolls. I would have to look up a video each time, but you make a stitch and then somehow come up half way through the previous stitch, so it makes a thicker stitch that curves really well for a smile. I googled it and I think it's Stem Stitch. britishamericanmum(at)gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy favorite stitch for fifty years now has been the satin titch. lovebirdmom at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win.
I love the backstitch lol. I would love to learn how to do that impressionist look
ReplyDeleteI want to learn the Hungarian braid stitch. It's more complex than what I usually do but it looked so cool!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite stitch (right now) is the lazy daisy. vegax022(at)umn.edu
ReplyDeleteEmbroidery is like a universe. It won't be justified to pick up just one. Love every embroidery stitch. mudralipsa@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'm mostly just starting out so while I can attempt all the stitches, none of them are so pretty and even. I am loving the satin stitch for shading though..
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity!
Csirp21@gmail.com
I've been loving the daisy stitch lately, but really anytime I can put needle and thread to fabric makes me happy!
ReplyDeleteLove her work! I love doing chain stitch.
ReplyDeleteRenee.wilmesherr@gmail.com
I like daisy stitches.
ReplyDeleteemackenzie100@comcast.net
WHoohoo a new book! I am trying to perfect the rose stitch.. mine are still a bit too loose and uneven to me.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty new to embroidery. I've mostly done stem stitch so all new stitches are exciting to me!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the pictures people create with French knots, but I haven't learnt how to do it myself yet. Zebrastripes.c8 (at) gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love "outside the box" embroidery; it challenges me in the best of ways! I'd really like to master the Quaker stitch. I have stayed away from patterns with words, because I've never found a stitch that really works best for lettering. But I saw a tutorial somewhere that talked about how the Quaker stitch was the best stitch to use for words! :)
ReplyDeleteI squeed when I saw this! I heart Doodle Stitching! I'm a fan of stem stitch. I like being able to stay in a straight line or even curve it up! Thank you for the opportunity! plasticlachesis (at) gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI would love to learn from this beautiful book. I love french knots, seems to be one of the stitch I can do right! But I so want to learn.
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in learning some of the basics. I can do the blanket stitch and the French Knot, but that's about it. I purchased a couple of the sampler kits from you but I've put them away for Christmas gifts (from me, to me -- just what I want ;-) . I'd love to learn this art! Looks fabulous! ajart2@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI would like to learn some specialty stitches, like the colonial knot, and the bullion stitch.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to start learning advanced stitches as I would like to work on an embroidery project again after years of not doing it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy learning new stitches. Backstitch and satin stitch remain my favourite so far. This new digital book looks like it has a lot of fun new ideas.
ReplyDeleteLazy Daisy stitch is my favorite, but I cannot wait to “move beyond the pattern” with Aimee’s new book!
ReplyDeleteLazy Daisy Lisa’s address is lfg923@gmail.com
DeleteSo excited to see Aimee’s new book! From your description, it reminds me of a cookbook, with suggestions of varying a basic recipe!
ReplyDeleteI would love to get better at thread painting. Thanks for the chance to win! angelajohnson140 at gmail
ReplyDeleteI would love to learn how to do the thread painting :)! It looks so beautiful! 88eunstar@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love the lazy daisy stitch! I would watch my Grandma make beautiful flowers on pillow cases with it! Ivoryhollowpianostudio@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'm a back stitch gal ;). I would love to improve my French knots.
ReplyDelete