Abstract Embroidery – Emily Botelho

Slow stitching with texture, colour and creativity

Description:
Rich in texture and vibrant in colour, Emily Botelho’s stunning abstract embroideries are works of art in thread and have earned her a worldwide following. In this, her first book, she showcases 12 beautiful projects inspired by three distinct environments: coastal, mountain and urban. She leads the reader through her unique creative process, from finding inspiration and creating bespoke fabric backgrounds to embellishing each embroidery with a diverse range of stitches, beads and found items that capture a moment in time. Her use of intuitive, slow stitching and a vibrant palette, taken from sources as diverse as mossy rocks or peeling paint, make each of her pieces completely unique.

Filled with sumptuous photographs, creative insights and helpful advice, along with an additional gallery section, this book will inspire creative embroiderers of all abilities.

Emily (@salt_stitches) is a firm believer that you don’t need to go far to be inspired and she encourages you to engage in close observation of the natural world on your doorstep, whether you have stitched before or not. Due to the abstract nature of the craft, there are no patterns to follow or step-by-step instructions. You decide when a piece is finished, which gives you complete freedom to explore the textures that you’re working with. Every single piece will be unique, and that’s the beauty of it!

https://www.searchpress.com/book/9781800920965/abstract-embroidery

Review
We love this book! As creative people, we love encouraging others to find their creative spirit, and this delightful book is a beautiful example of how to do just that.

Embroidery is one of our passions, and Emily’s approach is a perfect example of how to take both a slow and a free approach to developing this art.
In her most comprehensive content, she shares the following:

Introduction, Tools and materials, How I work, Photography: hints and tips, Composition and design, Techniques. Followed by inspiring projects based around three key areas of Coastal, Alpine and Urban.

The final section is a beautiful gallery full of examples of Emily’s exquisite work over the last five years.
Everything about this magical book is inspiring, from the front cover to the inside covers, packed with beautiful imagery, but the most exciting thing is the freedom to create, and Emily gives wonderful examples of how to take inspiration from everything around you, to focus on patterns in everyday life, to select colours that uplift you and just experiment!
Her designs can be imagined with the most basic of stitches, and can be created anywhere and at any time.
In our busy lives this is a wonderful chance to reflect, be mindful and let your imagination take over, with no complicated pattern to follow, or stitches to count, your designs will be unique to you, and you can create your own memories of a special place by creating a piece that you will treasure.
Highly Recommended! One of our Favourite Creative Books of 2024!
Abstract Embroidery by Emily Botelho is published by Search Press