Embroidery Book "Garden Stitch Life" by Kazuko Aoiki

I cherish my small collection of embroidery books, most of which come from Japan. These books are filled with tiny, delightful motifs and creative designs - delicate florals, playful animals, and everyday objects all stitched with precision and charm.

Among my collection, Kazuko Aoki’s books stand out for their quiet elegance. Her designs capture nature’s subtle beauty - a single leaf, a bee suspended mid-flight, or the intricate structure of an open seed pod. What makes her work truly special is its deceptive simplicity: she transforms these ordinary natural moments into stitchable masterpieces. The clean lines and thoughtful compositions create patterns that are beginner-friendly, yet full of intricate details to challenge experienced embroiderers.

Zakka Workshop, renowned for their lovely selection of Japanese craft books, has just added Kazuko Aoki’s latest release to their collection - "Garden Stitch Life". They kindly sent me a copy to explore.

From the moment I opened the book, I felt like I had been let into Kazuko's creative sanctuary. The pages are filled with dreamy photographs of her finished embroideries arranged alongside watercolour sketches, handwritten notes, and glimpses of the quiet, nature-filled life that inspires her. It is more than a pattern book - it is an invitation to see the world through her eyes and notice the small things.

The title of the book is "Garden Stitch Life: 50 Embroidery Motifs & Projects to Grow Your Inspiration" - and this is exactly what I love about it. You can stitch the projects exactly as shown, using the provided motifs, or mix and match elements to create your own designs. You might even experiment with Kazuko’s techniques to develop completely original embroidery. It is this perfect balance of guidance and creative freedom that makes the book so special.

This project was the perfect mix of inspiration from Kazuko Aoki's book and my own ideas. I incorporated her absolutely darling acorns into my design - they were so fun to stitch thanks to her clear, easy-to-follow diagrams and instructions. It is wonderful when a book gives you not just patterns, but the confidence to play and create something truly your own.

This book comes with a separate pattern sheet that makes transferring pattens onto fabric effortless. 

Here is a beginning of another embroidery piece that is going to be a happy fusion of Kazuko's two patterns and my own interpretation. I knew I wanted to feature those charming pansies, and stitching them is a meditative joy.

Can't wait to share the finished project. There is nothing quite like the joy of bringing a personal creation to life with thread! Larisa xo

P.S.: Zakka Workshop is kindly giving a copy of the “Garden Stitch Life” book by @kazuko.aoki to one of my followers! Click here for details.