Embroidered Originals by Sue Rangeley, softback published by D4Daisy. ISBN 978-0-9555371-5-8, price 19.00 from www.d4daisy.com

This book should be on every textile and stitch lover’s shelf. It won’t often be on the shelf though as you will find it thoroughly useful as are all the other books from this publisher. Each book vies with the last to be the very best. I can never wait for the next one to come along.

Highly recommended for its creativity, design, techniques and instruction, this book is not to be missed. Superb in every way, Michael Wicks photography is the icing on the cake. There is so much to learn from this book – from glimpses of Sue’s incredible sketchbooks to wonderful techniques with stitch – embroidery, applique, beadwork, wire edging and much more. Sue takes you through the process of designing from inspiration, sketches, samples and practical application. A textile artist at the very top of the business, this is a superb book not only for yourself but for all your textile friends. This book is clearly in my top ten of must-haves.

Creative Recycling in Embroidery by Val Homes, softback published by Batsford. ISBN 978-1-906388-75-1, price 14.99 from www.anovabooks.com

Gifted textile artist Val Holmes uses her creativity and imagination to recycle items and produce artwork. She presents lots of ideas that you can work on to use everyday items. This multi-media book uses many techniques and will encourage you to experiment. Embroidery, weaving, fusion and so much more with great ideas for paint and images. I love the vessels.

Celtic, Viking & Anglo-Saxon Embroidery by Jan Messent, hardback published by Search Press. ISBN 978-1-8444-8409-6, price 25.00 from www.searchpress.com

Wow and wow again. This has to be not only one of the best books I have seen this year, but also for a long long time. There are so many reasons to buy this book. It’s an up-to-date, contemporary treatment of ancient embroideries, translated into very popular book arts. The historical treatment is interesting, the renditions fascinating. Jan uses mixed media to create inspiring textiles that you will want to come back to many times. I have no doubt that this is Jan’s finest work, it is a true testimony to her skill and to her inventive mind. She has delved into all manner of media to create her handmade books in stitch with thread, fabric and paper, paint and beads. The result is amazing. Search Press have not skimped on production and this is one of their finest books. The photography focuses on the details and is superb. I cannot pick one piece of work over the others, it is all superb. I turned the pages in wonderment. Again and again – this book will never lose its magic for me. Anyone working in textiles would love this book and I would go as far as to say that every artist or craftsperson would look admiringly upon it. It is, however, not a step by step instruction book, I don’t mind that, but I know some do. I think there is more than enough insight to fire the imagination, and encourage you to do your own thing. If this does not inspire, you are already dead. Absolutely spectacular – a treasure that you will keep forever. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

Creative Machine Embroidery by Linda Miller, softback published by AC Black. ISBN 978-1-4081-0398-2, price 15.99 from www.acblack.com

This is a textile handbook, one in a series from this reputable publisher. The instructions in this book are good and the production the same. Short yet interesting sections on many aspects of machine embroidery. It’s rather difficult to review a book when you don’t particularly feel an affinity with the work of the artist that has written it. Linda has a kind of naive, exacting style – there is no guesswork for the brain, nothing the eye has to fill in. There is also another book under the same name, written in 2003 by another author and published by Batsford and to me the latter is the better book of the two.

Asian-Inspired Machine Embroidery by Joan Elliott, softback published by Krause in the USA. Available in the UK, price 16.99 from www.davidandcharles.co.uk

Myriads of Asian inspired motifs from giant panda to maple leaves are found in this book. Discover how to use the motifs to create cards, banners, silk scarves, notebooks and so much more. The style seems a little dated to me, but I did like some of the designs. This is not a freestyle machine embroidery book, so you will need a sewing machine that is capable of complex embroidery. The book comes with a bonus CD-Rom.

Scandinavian Needlecraft by Clare Youngs, softback published by Cico Books. ISBN 978-1-907030-22-2, price 12.99 from www.cicibooks.com

This has just shot into my top ten books of the year, straight into the Number One slot. If you don’t already have this book, go and buy it now. 35 great projects for the home with a Scandinavian flair. I love the motifs used in this book from birds and reindeer to hearts and flowers. If you love contemporary embroidery or Scandinavian design, you will adore this book. Clear instructions, templates and good photography. You cannot ask for more.

The Left-Handed Embroiderer’s Companion by Yvette Stanton, softback published by Vetty Creations, Australia. Available in the UK, ISBN 978-0-9757677-3-3, price 19.99 from www.searchpress.com

Now here’s a five star author and embroiderer, all of whose books you should own. I do. This is the first time in my life I have wanted to be left-handed. Unfortunately, I’m not. As right handers we can have fun flipping the instructions. This is a superb dictionary for all embroiderers, so don’t miss out. As with all Yvette’s books it has superb attention to detail. This has just become my number one embroidery book. This is a book you can judge by ots cover, it won’t let you down.

Stitchopedia by Helen Winthorpe-Kendrick, hardback, spiral-bound published by A& C Black. ISBN 978-1-4081-1998-3, price 19.99 from www.acblack.com

This book makes a big claim to be ‘the only embroidery reference you’ll ever need’. I love the images of embroidery at the beginning – very inspiring. It’s nicely laid out, a bit on the boring side but easy to understand with good diagrams and instructions on mounting, framing, design, many different types of embroidery, a definitive list of stitches and finally projects. I think the projects on the whole let it down. The book overall lacks ooph. So, for me, although it is good and wort having, there are other embroidery references and books I need.

Heirloom Embroidery by Jan Constantine, hardback published by Jacqui Small. ISBN 978-1-906417-03-1, price 18.99 from www.aurumpress.co.uk

Delightful projects with effective embroidery fill the pages of this well-photographed book. The projects are ones I am sure you will want to make. There are ideas for many occasions and you’ll probably find your own ideas being triggered too – I know I did. A fair stitches directory and templates as well as over 25 projects that include cushions, bags and a wonderful scarf. Recommended.

The Art & Embroidery of Jane Hall, softback published by Search Press. ISBN 978-1-84448-484-3, price 15.00 from www.searchpress.com

I found this book most interesting for the way n which Jane approachers her work. The glimpses of sketchbooks and storyboards is precious. This will be of great interest to other textile designers and students. To learn how to translate something in nature to a finished piece of embroidery is key to understanding the creative process. Jane’s work is miraculous, and I don’t blame her for not producing a how-to book. She has a unique approach and anyone would do well to study her methods and develop their own unique embroideries. This is a beautifully illustrated book.