Stitch! by Cath Kidston: book review

Hot on the heels of her previous books, Sew! and Make!, comes the latest offering from designer, Cath Kidston. Her new book, Stitch! focuses on homeware items and accessories that you can easily make using needlepoint and cross stitch sewing techniques.

There are 30 simple projects in the book, covering everything from cushions, seat covers and pillows, to bags, purses and even a rug. The colours and designs are typically Cath Kidston-esque, although you can of course choose your own thread and fabric colours if you wish. All of the designs are very easy to follow and there are useful images showing the finished item, as well as what it should look like at various stitching stages.

The book is suitable for stitchers of all abilities. If you’ve never done cross stitch or needlepoint before, you’ll find the first 30 pages massively useful, as there’s plenty of information about what you need to get started, how to do basic stitches and how to put the finishing touches to projects (there’s no point in sewing the front of a cushion if you don’t have a clue how to make it up into a useable cushion, for example). A stitch guide for advanced stitchers is included too.

As you’ll no doubt be inspired and raring to go when you read this book, there’s a great free gift project to get you started. This in the form of the vintage garden flowers purse – as seen on the front cover of the book – which is relatively quick and easy to sew and put together.

I’m in the middle of another sewing project at the moment, but I’ve already got my eye on a number of items which I’d like to do next – I love a lot of the cushions in the book, with my favourites being the bargello cushion and the electric flower cushion, plus the needlepoint rug. The cowboy picture would be great for a boy’s bedroom and the sailboat design (which is on what has to be the oddest item in the book – a candleshade?!) could easily be adapted to form a picture too.

If you love creating handmade items for your home, want some new inspiration and ideas and something to keep you busy through the darker winter evenings, then this book is the perfect solution! For those of you thinking about Christmas, then it would be a great gift idea for any crafters or sewing addicts.

Stitch! By Cath Kidston, photography by Pia Tryde, is published by Quadrille, rrp £15.

By Rachel Newcombe.