I am so new to this craft...I bought this book, hoping to get inspired. I was blown away. I would highly recommend this book to beginners. Great pictures and instructions. Hope she comes out with a sequel!

This is a fun book! I don't know how many of the actual projects I will do...some would be really fun to do with kids, but the designs she uses are Great! I love them! She also has Great instructions! And I really appreciate how easy it is to learn all the different stitches! The pictures are great and it is very clearly written! If you need something inspirational or instructional, this is a Great book!

I bought this book because a Ms. Ray is a fellow craftster.org user and I have long admired her work. I bought it to support her and because I loved the cover project. Unfortunately that project is not featured within but some patterns that are photographed in the book are not actually projects in the book. The patterns can be found for purchase on her etsy.
That said, the projects and step by step instructions are clear. However, when I first learned embroidery, I was uncomfortable transferring patterns without using iron-ons, which is why I recommend Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To for first ever embroiderers. Doodle Stitching would be a book to tackle after you've become somewhat confident in your ability to transfer designs on your own. (I am the type of person who likes to do it the technical "right way" when trying a new craft, after that I am comfortable to experiment.)
The instructions are clear and the thread colors for the photographed projects are listed. Her stitching instructions were also very clear. I got a little confused while tackling the sewing instructions for the lap quilt but I think that had more to do with the spaciness of the last weeks of my pregnancy rather than the instructions themselves.
This book makes a great addition to any young crafty embroiderer's library and I totally recommend it!

I am new to embroidery and found this to be the perfect book for a beginner. It has clear instructions on how to complete several different types of stitches, how to mix different stitches together, and when each type of stitch would be appropriate. There were also many ideas in this book ranging from simple and tiny pictures, to full page pictures, and ideas of how and where you could use each type. I think someone with more experience might not appreciate this book, but I would definitely recommend it to beginners!

I love this book! It is delightful and full of the feeling of old time embroidery in a very today way. The projects are easy and the directions are simple and well done. I would recommend this book to anyone, whether a beginner or pro, it's just plain fun. The completed projects have been well received. I am a 'doodler' so this book has shown me how to put those doodles to good use as well as sneaking off with others doodles and turning them into fun gifts for that person. I recommend this book, yes.

This book was SO disappointing!

I'm a big fan of Aimee Ray on etsy... but it feels like she saved all of the good embroidery for herself. Her work online is a million times better than the work in this book. Don't let the cover fool you.

This book has very generic, boring projects. It has no creative flair and wasn't worth the money. The model consistently through the book is kind of annoying, too. I thought it was Aimee at first (since the model is pictured on the side of the book under the author's name), but, alas, Miss Ray is pictured in the back.

If you know how to embroider, I wouldn't recommend this book. If you like boring, old-fashioned and uncreative patterns, then buy! buy! buy!!!

I see this book as an embroidery refresher, and a taking off point for great creativity. I am not likely to exactly follow any patterns in the book, but have already borrowed bits and pieces of them, and used them as a jumping off point for my own ideas and designs. It had honestly never occurred to me to get this creative with embroidery. This ain't your granny's embroidery! But it sure is fun!

I really love this book! The designs are all cute, fresh and fun...and I want to make them all. Creative ideas for using embroidery, even if you already know how. But the instructions seem pretty clear if you don't.

Hand embroidery is growing in popularity, much to my delight. I have done embroidery for almost 20 years and this is probably the most delightful book I've ever found on the subject. The book claims to be for beginners, but I would venture to say it's appropriate for all skill levels. I am taken by the unique designs presented, and inspired to create more of my own based on the designer's concept.
Some have complained that a couple designs shown in the book, namely the cover design, are not included as patterns. I can understand the frustration, but I was not given the impression upon buying it that this was a pattern book, but rather a conceptual book. I was under the impression that the patterns included in the book are meant to be a springboard to inspire the book's users to create their own original works.
I think it's a lovely idea, and I am very pleased to have fresh inspiration.

Doodle Stitching: Fresh & Fun Embroidery for Beginners
I found this book to be informative and motivating. It gives Ideas for embroidered items and also gives permission to do just what you want! I recommend this book to those who want to be more creative with thread.

I am a beginning embroiderer and this book is amazing! Simple instructions for each project and nice illustrations. This a is a great book and every embroiderer should have one!

I have been in search for a book like this for years, honestly. There are very little options for cute, casual embroidery out there and this one has several patterns that can be used on much more than the depicted use. One reviewer noted that there are several pages that have patterns not included in the book. I agree, this is disappointing but you can find a couple of these patterns on the author's etsy page ([...]) and she will send them to you as a PDF. The step by step instructions are so thorough that even an embroidered quilt doesn't seem daunting and I'm actually excited about putting it all together. That's a first. I gave 4 stars instead of 5 because I was a little disappointed in the actual projects - I'd love to have seen more projects like placemats and tablecloths, baby onesies and bibs... things like that. Otherwise, this book is very exciting. Highly recommended for the thorough details that make the prospect easy, plus the complete guide to the stitches - excellent for a beginner!

This is a great beginner embroidery book. The directions are easy to follow and each project had good pictures. The print is also large enough to read easily, which isn't true of many craft books. I'm very happy with my purchase.

I have been greatly inspired by Aimee Ray's embroidery. Picking up this book was great because I was able to get a good idea of stitches and see some wonderful project ideas. I had never embroidered before I had seen her work, so I can vouch for this being a great source for a beginner. Some customers complain that some items lack patterns, and while this is true they are available on the author's etsy page. I saw those as an example of what works using stitches taught could turn out like. The nature of the works Aimee Ray is exhibiting in her book is just like the title, doodle-stitching. I don't see it as wanting the readers to necessarily copy each thing from the book, but inciting them to be creative.

Even though transfer methods are discussed, which is greatly beneficial, depending on one's resources it can be rather difficult. If there are no other resources (copier or a light box), I would recommend having carbon paper on hand. Tracing paper may also be very useful, but a transfer pen or pencil would also be necessary.

I've purchased many craft books, only to return immediately because the cover/description were completely misleading, but this is not one. Clear pictures and descriptions, and I love that it provides instructions not only for the embroidery, but sewing the projects as well.

I bought this book, thinking it was connected to Jenny Hart and Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To. Much to my amazement - actually, just now, more or less - they are not. But the styles are very, VERY similar. The main difference is that in this book, you will get mostly craft ideas and some designs. In Sublime Stitching you'll get mostly designs (iron-on). Both are geared towards beginners - and both have very lengthy introductions into the basic steps and stitches.

While I'm now very startled that I did not in fact buy a Jenny Hart title, I am very pleased to have found a new embroidery sensei to follow in Aimee Ray.

One last note: the model used in the book is attractive, but has the weirdest pseudo-smile that unnerves me. Be on your guard. The crafts are worth it, though.

I am a beginner at the art of embroidery. I love this book. It has very clear instructions on embroidery stitches. I love the idea of doodle-stitching! No boring clip art stuff here!

This book is quite nice and the projects are all very do-able. The color combinations used are very nice and I liked Aimee's pattern style.

But my only regret is that there is very few patterns in the book and most of the project photographs are highlighted on the finished product and so the patterns don't get much focus. It would have been great if Aimee has bundled in more of her patterns at the end of the book so that we had more choices to mix and match various patterns in the same projects that she have shown.

This book of embroidery is just very inspiring. I probably won't make all the projects in the book but I will use the designs on other stuff. I have already copied the front cover and embroideried a bird on my capris and a deer on another pair and I used the pattern from the skirt on the leg of my jeans. The designs just make you want to embroider everything. And it is easy. The only thing I have to say is that I do have some experience in embroidery and I know that even though the instructions say most of the designs in this book were done with six threads--that is not the best way to get good looking stitches. There are some good instructions in the book but you may want to look further to get your stitches looking even better. For the best satin stitches I won't use more than 3 threads. But I am still giving the book 5 stars because it has alot of patterns you can copy and is very inspiring!

I just started embroidering and this book was full of beautiful and inspiring images. It gave me lots of ideas of what I could do with the things that I'm embroidering and had some great fun projects.

The only downside was the lack of iron-on transfers. Not everyone can draw the images that are displayed and having to bust out the fabric transfer paper gets old.

But overall, I would recommend this book because it gives a fresh view on embroidering and really inspired me to turn my doodles into stitches.

I am so glad I bought this book! I am new to sewing and have never embroidered. And this book has so many illustrations! I know a few other reviewers are upset that the designs on the cover are not in the book... but she brings you from very basic to more elaborate designs and shows you every technique and design to be able to make the doodles on the cover yourself. Easily. And whatever else you may want to dream up on your own!
Enjoy!

I love embroidery and crewel. I wanted a book to give my daughters...keep the art alive! I bought 4, one for me and 3 for my girls! We all love it. It's full of perfect illustrations and easy to follow instructions. Order yours today!

I have been searching for a good beginner's embroidery book for a while now, and this has fit the bill. I don't understand the complaints about it not having everything in the book as a project, however. You can recreate ANY of the designs in the book, not just the projects, with tracing paper or a photocopier. However, the listed projects are well-designed, very adorable, and worth trying. My favorite is the Cafe Apron, and the Sweet Dreams Baby Pillow is something I'm looking forward to trying soon. It's just precious. I like that this book doesn't hand-hold your way through everything, it displays (and explains) the stitch types and labels which stitches you need to use on everything, and then lets you go for it. The author also lists colors of floss, which I found helpful, but you can get creative with it. I love her designs, and I'd definitely recommend this book.

This book has several cute projects and also gives a good overview of many different embroidery stitches. I think that the format of the book/instruction will enable me to create my own designs and projects, using the techniques I am learning as a springboard.

This book is great. It is very informative with easy to understand diagrams of all of the stitches. The designs are wonderful and inspiring.

I am one of those people who collects craft books and occasionally uses them. This book, however, appears to be one that I actually will use often... I just have to finish other projects so that I have something to embroider on.
The instructions are clear, the page explaining and illustrating how to make each stitch are well done and easy to understand. I've never embroidered before, but I am confident after reading and test-running a few patterns that I can embroider with the best of the newbies.
I recommend this book to anyone, even if you don't like the patterns that are presented (honestly, who wouldn't like them) it still gives you great instructions, tips, and ideas to embroider anything your little stitchy heart desires.

I had no business finding another crafting boook, but DOODLE STITCHING,is really brilliant! I have always been interested in embroidery, but shied away because it looks so time consuming and limited functionality. Plus, most embroidery looks a bit dated - but DOODLE STITCHING is anything but dated. It's fresh and fun and free-spirited. I am inspired to stitch for art's sake. I see that in embroidery a little can go a long way - simple flourishes can add so much.

One of the best features of embroidery is the easy access to materials and it satisfies my love of color! You can doodle on any fabric that you have - clothes, scraps, whatever. The materials are cheap - you could be exceptionally well equipped for under $20! Plus it's easy to cut the threads and start over if mistakes should occur. Ok, I'm kind of excited about this! Bravo, Aimee Ray!

I would say I'm a poly crafter. One craft leads to another. I started thinking a few stitches of embroidery here and there on my quilts and other fiber projects would be lovely additions. Also, I'm going to be a first time grandma. Embroidery will look wonderful on tiny things. Unfortunately, I wasn't having much luck on my own with making the different stitches. DOODLE STITCHING offers clear instructions on the most often used embroidery stitches and some very clever, basic projects. It provides advise, as well, on supplies you'll need for many future pieces. I'd say this book is money well spent for a beginning stitcher.

Not a high-tech guide, very approachable and I'm passing it on to my neice when I'm done with it. Highly recommend it to anyone wanting to have fun with embroidery

I swear, this woman is me if I could draw. I love her style and free-form approach.

This is a really nice book. The only thing I don't like is there's no cut out iron-on transfers. The projects are awesome.

I was impressed at how nicely the instructions were done, and the projects are all so fun and cute! I like this book a lot and would definately recommend it! Especially to the beginner!

I absolutely loved this book. It truly is the best embroidery book for beginners that I have ever seen. The ideas are wonderful and wonderfully done. I checked out the artist on her website and she also does a lot of other great things. I am so impressed! I highly recommend this book and will be buying several for Christmas gifts for my crafty friends and family!

I absolutely LOVE this book!!

I ordered "Not Your Mama's Stitching" a while ago, but returned it because I didn't like it at all. I also have "Sublime Stitching", which I like a lot; but Doodle-Stitching is EXACTLY what I was looking for - simple and basic introduction to embroidery, with tasteful, artistic, contemporary (without being too trendy/hip) and lovely designs and projects. Just looking through the book inspires me! The design and layout of the book is also very well done; very easy to use. I hope to see more from Aimee Ray - SOON!! Her style is fresh and beautiful.

I have never done embroidery so I wanted to buy one book that not only would teach me the stitches and get me started with supplies, but would also provide some patterns/ideas to inspire me. This book is perfect. It contains very clear instructions with pictures for the beginners like me, but goes on with some gorgeous/adorable projects that anyone can do (yet look so professional). The baby/wall quilt is worth the book's price alone; it is just amazing.

I am not a person who has to only follow patterns (even though this book is perfect for that type of person) so I was inspired when reading the book that my simple doodles could be rendered in thread. I would never have thought about doing that. So not only does this book inspire you to do the projects (all but a few I plan on doing, and even the ones I won't do right now are still lovely), but it encourages you to go out on your own and create your own works of art.

I only hope that this author eventually puts out a pattern book in addition to this book (this book has wonderful patterns, but I am itching to have more of her gorgeous work in my hot little hands). I have followed some of her work on that popular crafter message board and it is simply outstanding.

I am so happy I invested in this book and especially happy that one little inexpensive book is all I need to start in my new art: Embroidery.

Buy this book for yourself AND a friend. You will not be sorry.

I was a bit disappointed by this book. Everything good mentioned in the other reviews is true: the designs are charming, the color combinations are lovely, the instruction is detailed and clear. However, there are several wonderful finished products shown in the book (including the project featured on the cover) which do not have a pattern anywhere in the book, and of course these are the projects I most admire. Frustrating!

Great book, the projects are fun and some are very quick to make ! You learn not only how to embroider in different kinds of fabric but also a little sewing, appliqué, quilting as you go with each different project. I do think is VERY inspiring compare to many of the embroidery books out there... and I own a few. The desings are modern, like from a dream or a fantasy story book. I hope that the author will publish her own embroidery transfers or patterns some time soon !

I've bought a bunch of embroidery books recently, hoping to get into this craft which has always attracted me but never quite hooked me. The best so far was Kristin NIcholas's book, Colourful Stitchery. Very fun. The New Crewel is quite cool too. The others - well, let's just say that most of them are a little dreary. I wasn't crazy over Hip to Stitch, although to give it its due there are a coupld of cute designs there - nor over the Stitch it Kit, although some of the transfers are very cute. Worst of the bunch was Not your mama's stitching... not even one thing that I would like to make... at least the others all have one or two projects I like.

This is different. There are loads of things that inspire me in here. Obviously not everything, but loads - which is quite something. Her colour combinations are lovely, her designs are really fresh - this is such an overused adjective, but it works here. Her instructions are really detailed and clear - she leaves nothing out and takes nothing for granted. All in all, a really cute book which has finally gotten me into embroidery - what fun - I have actually already gotten half way thru a project..... this is a keeper.

Everything about this book is wonderful. I love the designs and colors! As a beginner, I really apppreciate the demo showing three different results from the same simple pattern. It illustrates how much difference the choice of colors, stiches, and background materials make.

Often when I buy a craft book, I do so thinking that I'll probably never do 99% of the projects in the book- I'm often just inspired by what's in the book instead. Not the case here (though it's still inspiring)! Almost all of the ideas really appealed to me and I can't wait to start working on my favorite projects. The designs are fun and very unique and the ideas are fun as well. It has the usual staples in any embroidery book- ("embroider your towel!" "embroider your pillowcase!") but some things I don't see often- toys, scrapbook covers, and a lap quilt that I can't wait to make on my own.

But beyond just the projects, I was so happy to see a how-to that's actually useful. I'm tired of books with the same drawings over and over again; you'd be surprised at the number of books that don't actually show you a picture of a finished stitch to give you a better idea. The how-to here is detailed with actual photos of the stitch-in-action next to the stitch description. For those of us who taught ourselves how to embroider, it's nice to know what we've been doing and it's also nice to branch out.

This is definitely a great book for crafts, whether you're new to embroidery or whether you've been stitching for a while. I LOVE it!!

This is such a great book, both for novices such as myself and experienced crafters! Highly recommend! Beautiful and sweet designs!

I am very pleased with this book! I have been doing embroidery since I was a kid, so at first, I skipped over the techniques part and read the rest of the book. When I went back to read that section, however, I was surprised to see that the stitches and techniques were explained in a simple, nonthreatening way that would be great to show someone who's interested in learning, so I will keep this in mind as a potential crafty gift.

I think that the style of the patterns offered is very cute, which is why I ordered it, also because I couldn't find many good books about freestyle embroidery, which I love to do. I like that she encourages people to be brave and experiment with their own designs. While I don't think I'd make everything in this book, I've never had a craft book where I've wanted to make everything. I think there is a nice selection of projects, and most of them are small enough to make as quick, heartfelt gifts.

I bought it online based on the cover, which I thought was great. Some designs were modern and fresh, while others were very dated and uninteresting (such as the embroidered bath towel, jeans, and skirt). For me, the cover of the book is as inspiring as it gets.