Zakka Embroidery: Simple One- and Two-Color Embroidery Motifs and Small Crafts

In this book, Japanese designer Yumiko Higuchi presents embroidery motifs to be stitched in just one or two colors--creating patterns and designs that are more evocative for their form than for a play of colors. Moving away from traditional embroidery motifs, the designs here are an elegant hybrid of Japanese and Scandinavian style: the motifs and patterns are spare and graphic, yet softened with organic shapes and imagery drawn from nature. The result is embroidery that evokes a personal feel and conjures a sense of nostalgia and longing. What is further appealing is the seeming simplicity in recreating these designs: by creating designs that use either one color or two colors the work here feels very approachable and appropriate for beginner stitchers. Each embroidery design is paired with a simple project, such as ribbons, pillows, and pouches.