As someone who has been passionate about sewing for years, I was eager to delve into The Geometry of Hand-Sewing
. This guide, written by Natalie Chanin and her teams at Alabama Chanin and The School of Making, is a unique take on traditional stitch learning methods. Instead of learning each stitch individually, the book approaches needlework from a geometric perspective, showing how all stitches can be based on grid systems.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that this method of learning stitches was much more approachable and easier to understand. The book provides illustrated instructions for more than 100 stitches, ranging from basic straight and chain stitches to complex feather and herringbone. I appreciated the inclusion of photos of both the right and wrong sides of each stitch, as well as the guidelines for modifying stitches to increase my repertoire further.
One of the best parts of the book is the ability to download two stitching cards, which are essentially stencils with the grids used for each stitch in the book. I found this to be a valuable resource, as it made transferring grids to fabric much easier.
Overall, I found The Geometry of Hand-Sewing to be a delightful read, and a fresh take on traditional stitch learning. If you are looking to expand your stitch knowledge, or are just looking for a unique approach to needlework, I highly recommend this book.
