Creative Abstract Embroidery: The beginner's guide to expressive & playful needlework - Softcover

Hughes, Ruth

Softcover

ISBN 10: 144631779X ISBN 13: 9781446317792

Publisher: David & Charles, 2026

Synopsis

Unlock your creativity with this joyful guide to abstract embroidery!

In Creative Abstract Embroidery, Ruth Hughes invites you into a vibrant world where texture, colour, and freedom of expression take centre stage. Whether you're an embroidery beginner or a seasoned stitcher ready to break the rules, this inspiring book encourages you to step away from rigid patterns and embrace the messy, colourful beauty of freeform stitching.

Ruth shares her own artistic journey - how embroidery became a meditative escape and an exciting form of self-expression. She provides the essential embroidery techniques, stitches, and tools to get you started, before guiding you into more adventurous territory: from creating 3D effects to working with texture, blending yarns, and stitching on unconventional surfaces.

Each project is an invitation to explore your own voice and style. With open-ended prompts and playful guidance, you'll develop confidence, discover new approaches, and create abstract artworks that are deeply personal.

• Perfect for crafters of all skill levels - especially those seeking a fresh, modern take on embroidery
• Includes expert guidance on essential tools, techniques, and stitches
• Features over 200 colorful photographs and 10 expressive, inspiring projects
• Explores 3D stitches, texture-building, and experimental approaches
• Encourages creative freedom and self-expression over rigid rules

Let this book be your creative spark - pick up your needle and thread and start stitching your own abstract masterpiece today!

About this title

About the Author

Ruth Hughes is an abstract embroidery artist, passionate about pushing the boundaries of traditional embroidery. She explores pattern and textures through vibrant colour combinations and inspires others to experiment and develop their own artistic styles. Her work is sold and enjoyed worldwide. You can find out more at wildfloss.co.uk or on Instagram @wildfloss where Ruth shares her work with her 42k followers.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Welcome to Ruth’s World

I love stitches. I’ve always been drawn to anything embroidered and my closet is full of embroidered items - bags, shoes, clothes that no longer fit that I can’t quite bear to get rid of... I was first introduced to embroidery at a young age by my Mum, a skilled dress-maker and sewist. Cross-stitch was the gateway into embroidery for me and I used to embroider little roses onto Aida that would be turned into throw pillows.

I have always been creative but shied away from a creative career as I felt I wasn’t “good enough” for the art world and felt almost embarrassed to call myself an artist. Then, after many years working in the corporate world and having my three children, I felt the need to start creating again and quickly picked up where I left off. I like to think of embroidery stitches like paint strokes, each one is purposefully placed, building up layers and texture - a throwback to my abstract acrylic painting days with thick paint and a palette knife, maybe? To me, the most important thing about abstract embroidery is the freedom to lose yourself in messy, chunky stitches and not having to focus on being neat and precise.

My aim for this book is to share my passion for embroidery, to inspire other artists, creatives, and sewing enthusiasts to try a whole new approach and create something modern and exciting using traditional techniques. We all need to detach ourselves from technology and slow down, so I hope you find inspiration in my work, gain confidence in developing your own artistic style, and enjoy the relaxing repetition of slow stitching.

Edition details

• Publisher: David & Charles
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 144631779X
• ISBN 13: 9781446317792
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144