Hoop Art

Cristin Morgan is an accessories designer turned contemporary embroidery artist. Inspired by nature, colour, texture and graphic design, Cristin believes that embroidery deserves a place outside of the hoop. Her work can be found at marigoldandmars.com and at instagram.com/marigoldandmars, where she also shares a behind-the-scenes look into her creative process with her 15.5K followers.Cristin lives in Richmond, VA, with her husband and their two sons.

Issue May/JuneSocial media is awash with images of embroidery framed in hoops; and this book does begin with several projects that do just that, but there is so much more to this stylish how-to book, which those who are keen to learn embroidery will love. Morgan has designed 50 modern motifs (from abstract and geometric patterns to botanical motifs and hand-lettered designs) that can be completed using only ten basic stitches, and has included a set of handy iron-on patterns that will have you stitching in no time. The stylish hoop art embroideries feel fresh and there is an entire section dedicated to embroidering jewellery, patches, homewares and clothing. Beginners will love the ease with which they can embroider a stylish necklace or tote bag, and more experienced stitch enthusiasts can tackle the embroidered denim jacket and patches, or the hoop that features on the cover. This is embroidery for our times, which, whilst aimed at a younger reader, will still appeal to anyone interested in stitching fashionable projects.