Everyday Folk: Over 175 folk embroidery designs for the home, inspired by traditional textiles– Krista West – Macmillan
Fill your home with colorful cushions, table runners, and wall hangings inspired by historic folk embroidery from the Mediterranean and beyond.
Everyday Folk begins with a series of essential projects that feature a range of classic folk embroidery designs such as table runners, table squares, and cushion covers. The book then continues on to explain how to design your own projects, work with motif repeats, and adapt historic layouts to create lively and colorful textiles for your home.
Through the use of just two embroidery stitches-cross stitch and backstitch-you’ll be able to create a wide variety of beautiful and useful household items. This full-color book introduces the modern stitcher to the world of traditional folk embroidery with clear, detailed instructions and a design library of over 175 charts. It makes a welcome addition to any stitchers reference library.
As the author states in her Introduction, “We yearn for color, complexity, and beauty in our daily environment. Folk embroidery is a compelling example of this deep desire to create objects that surround us in color, texture, and symbolic meaning.” Join her on a multi-cultural journey through the centuries as she shares how you can bring this ancient beauty into your modern home!
Book Details:
Author:Krista West
Publisher: Macmillan
Format: Paperback
Pages: 144
Language: English
Year of Publication: 2024
ISBN-13: 9781446313398
Projects: The book features a range of classic folk embroidery projects including table runners, table squares, and cushion covers. A design library of over 175 charts provides inspiration and guidance, while instructions show how to adapt historic layouts, work with motif repeats, and create your own original designs for modern interiors.
Level: Suitable for all stitchers. With just two basic stitches—cross stitch and backstitch—beginners can achieve beautiful results, while more experienced stitchers can explore customization and design development.
Techniques: Learn the fundamentals of cross stitch and backstitch applied to historic folk motifs. Guidance includes working with repeated patterns, combining motifs, and creating modern adaptations of traditional designs. Step-by-step instructions make the craft accessible while encouraging creativity and personal interpretation.
Dimension: 273 x 211 mm
Tips for Using This Book:
Start with ready-made projects like cushions or table runners to practice stitches and chart reading. Once comfortable, experiment with motif repeats, color choices, and layout adaptations to create your own modern folk-inspired textiles. Enjoy the meditative process of stitching while bringing historic embroidery patterns into contemporary homes.






