Embroidery has been rediscovered and loved today for its beauty, its creativity and its therapeutic qualities. In this book, tap into your creative side and start your stitching journey through these 20 abstract projects by professional embroiderer Jo Dixey, inspired by the faces and forms we see around us: people.

Jo Dixey has designed this book to inspire and challenge both those new to embroidery and those with some knowledge of stitch who want to take their ideas further. The projects range from small embroidered cards to more complex pictures to hang on your wall; simple applique for a scarf to an embroidered jacket - all based on the theme of people. Each project introduces new embroidery stitches and technique, and as you work through the ideas you will expand your skills and gain confidence in using the stitches and ideas to inspire your own work.

Templates of the images to stitch are provided for photocopying and there is a photo gallery of all the stitches covered in the book, along with step-by-step photographs of key techniques, such as transferring patterns onto fabric or using batting to create 3D effects.

Whether you choose to make one-off pieces of art, embellish clothing with images and symbols unique to you, or make beautiful gifts for your friends, there is an alluring breadth of designs to both inspire and lose yourself in.

Previously published as Stitch People.