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.

Little Town Stitching Pattern

When I just stated sewing years ago, I designed this simple stitching pattern that is done with only backstitch, almost like a pencil sketch, and a few small patches of colour. A couple of years ago I stitched my Little Town again, but left it unfinished. I am ready now to turn it into something special, but I need to add a few more touches to it first.

Embellishing Hexagon Flowers with Floral Motifs

This month during our Sip Tea and EPP party we are talking about adding embellishments to your English Paper Piecing projects. There are many ways you can beautify your hexagons or any other shapes of your EPP projects by adding small embroidery motifs, foundation paper piecing designs or some hand quilting. These small additions will give your work a unique and charming touch.

Tutorial: Little Prickly Friend

I have been enjoying some hand stitching with snippets of wool felt and linen lately and one night I got inspired to make this Little Prickly Friend. He is so fun to embroider!

Little Prickly Friend

Look who came for a visit the other day and decided to stay with us because he found a perfect house to live in. This small calico tote turned out to be just the right size for this Little Prickly Friend. He really likes it here. He looks quite content and happy.

First Christmas Placemat + Embroidery Pattern

Everything first. First cuddles and kisses, first favourite toy, Winter and Spring, first visit to a beach, first walk in a park, first pretty flower and the feel of soft grass under tiny feet, first taste of berries and cookies, and of course the ever first Christmas. So sweet!

Cross-Stitch Pattern: Toadstool

I am feeling very happy, I achieved something new. I created my very first and my very own cross-stitch pattern - Toadstool. I know, I know, for many of you it might seem simple and even primitive but for me cross-stitching and embroidery in general never was natural, I didn't have patience for it and I used to get frustrated and bored easily within the first few stitches. So no matter how simple it is I am very happy with my tiny achievement. To celebrate this special event, I would like to share the toadstool cross-stitch pattern with you, my Dear Readers. Go to the end of the page and click on the pattern image. Print it. Use it. Enjoy it!

Stitching Pattern: Little Owl

Today I would like to share with you one of my stitching patterns from Funky Birds series. This Little Owl was the first one I drew some time ago and it was used for the sunglasses case. She is really cute and very easy to stitch. If you have some free time and like this pattern, then let's begin.

Material

• pattern Little Owl (at the end of the instruction)
• heavy weight cotton or linen in natural colour of any size (depending on your future use of the embroidery)
• cotton fabric for owl's tummy in any colour
• pencil for transferring the pattern onto fabric
• tracing paper
• pencil
• Vliesofix
• iron
• DMC embroidery floss dark brown (838), red (349)
• small embroidery hoop, scissors, threading needle

Method

Step 1: Print out the pattern provided and trace it onto fabric using one of the tracing methods. I am using a blue water erasable pen and a well-lit window.

Step 2: Using the embroidery hoop, work the design with one strand of thread in dark brown colour. For the body use backstitch, for the eyes french knots and for the ears lazy daisy stitch. Start at the right side under the wing and work your way in a clockwise direction through legs, left wing, left ear, right ear, right wing and then move onto the face. DO NOT stitch the line that goes across the tummy.

Step 3: Remove the hoop. Gently rub off the markings with a wet cloth if using a water erasable pen.

Step 4: Using a dry iron fuse Vliesofix to the wrong side of colourful fabric.

Step 5: Trace the tummy shape from the pattern onto tracing paper with the pencil and cut it out on the line. From the colourful fabric cut out the tummy shape with the template. Mark on the back side top and bottom lines.

Step 6: Peel the paper off from the back of the tummy shape and position it inside the stitching aligning the bottom lines. Note: Fuse with the iron only the middle of the fabric piece. Trim any overlapping and fuse in place.

Step 7: Using the embroidery hoop, stitch around the edges of the tummy with two strands of thread in red colour using running stitch.

Step 8: Add some extra details. I made a small grass patch for the owl. Iron gently on the back side.

I am trying my best to write clear instructions but if for some reason you have any difficulties or questions, I would be more than happy to help. Please don't hesitate to leave a comment or email me.

Happy stitching!