Vetty Creations office partial closure: I have been unwell since mid November 2023. Orders are going out, though may be delayed when I'm having a really bad day/days. I respond to enquiries when I am able to. I apologise for this. It’s not what I want either.

Step-by-step embroidery books

Vetty Creations are publishers of quality step-by-step embroidery books, with a focus on stitch dictionaries and historical techniques including Hardanger, Mountmellick, Portuguese whitework (Guimarães embroidery), Sardinian knotted embroidery (Punt 'e Nù) and merezhka. Vetty Creations books are available around the world from your favourite needlework shop.

Stitch dictionaries

We currently have two general embroidery stitch dictionaries available. The first was The Left-Handed Embroiderer's Companion: a step-by-step stitch dictionary. Following the success of this book, we realised that right-handers felt left out, and thus came The Right-Handed Embroiderer's Companion: a step-by-step stitch dictionary.

In late 2023, Yvette's third stitch dictionary was published: Hardanger Filling Stitches.

Vetty Creations stitch dictionaries have the following features:

clearly written step-by-step instructions with a diagram for each step
a full colour photo of the finished stitch so that you can see exactly how it looks stitched
full colour photos of each stitch (and variations where applicable) used creatively, as inspiration
hints and tips that you normally only learn in hands-on classes

Historical techniques books

We now have eight historical techniques books, focusing on whitework, Frisian Whitework: Dutch Embroidery from Friesland, Smøyg: Pattern Darning from Norway, Early-Style Hardanger, Sardinian Knotted Embroidery: Whitework from Teulada, Portuguese Whitework: Bullion Embroidery from Guimarães, Elegant Hardanger Embroidery, Mountmellick Embroidery: Inspired by Nature, and Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery: Merezhka Poltavska.

Vetty Creations historical technique books have the following features:

step-by-step instructions with diagrams and/or photographs
hints and tips that you normally only learn in hands-on classes
information about the history of the technique
information about all the materials and equipment needed to make the embroidery
a range of projects for novices through to advanced stitchers
gorgeous full colour photographs of each project

Ukrainian Drawn Thread Embroidery sample spreads

Reader and user testimonials

Readers and stitchers love Vetty Creations books. Here's what some of them have said about our embroidery books:

"Any book by Yvette Stanton is worth acquiring, even sight unseen. She does such a good job explaining and showing: her combination of words and drawings and photos make the techniques she presents doable." BG

"I love the work that Yvette Stanton designs. She makes it so easy for lefthanded embroiders like myself to enjoy the pleasure and relaxation you get from embroidery." B. Holmes, Australia

"I have a number of Yvette’s books and love them all. I suppose I’m a purist at heart and love any sort of whitework. Yvette makes all steps so simple and easy to follow, the only hard part is deciding which pattern to make!" Julie N

"I got your books: fantastically good! The Hardanger one is the best book on that topic that I've ever seen. The instructions are not only clear, with excellent graphics, but you also give a good view of how the stitches should look on the back, and shouldn't look! You also give an idea of how to tuck in ends, and move from one bit to the other. That's precisely what the student needs, and doesn't get in the other books. That chapter of instructions is really something special." J.O'L. Queensland, Australia

"The LH Stitch Dictionary is proving to be so very helpful. I refer to it almost daily, and am always impressed with the precision of your instructions. They are so clearly stated that it is impossible to stitch incorrectly. It is an invaluable reference book and am so delighted to have it nearby." SB, France

"The book is really unusual in its clarity of instruction, the drawings, the thought. I was taught the merezhka that you have in your book by a lady who was born in the latter half of the nineteenth century - she went to the university before WWI. Your book is as if she were standing right behind you and telling what she did. Truly amazing!" D.Horbachevsky, NY USA

"It's the complete package, no classes required: clear, precise instructions, beautiful patterns and a fascinating history. This book is truly a gem." JF, Australia

"It's one of the most comprehensive embroidery books that I have ever bought. It is absolutely beautiful and so full of information. It will make it a lot easier for me to master Mountmellick." V, Tasmania Australia