It's plainly obvious to the craft world that stitching in all its forms rocks but it's hard to show that to non-crafting muggles when so many stitch books are full of twee kittens and 'no place like home' samplers. Galloping to the new trend rescue comes Jamie 'Mr X Stitch' Chalmers with his shiny new book Push Stitchery, and it's a beauty.
Push Stitchery: 30 Artists Explore the Boundaries of Stitched Art showcases the jaw-dropping needle and thread art of some of the medium's most inspired crafters. Mr X Stitch has chosen a fascinating selection, from Charlene Mullen's squishy London landscapes, to Aya Kakeda's storybook stitches, to Luke Haynes' presidential American quilts to Andrea Vander Kooij's oddly lovely Skeletal Squirrel. There's such a wealth of nifty needlework talent it's impossible to pick a favourite.
The book has a distinctly 'art book' feel and is beautifully bound, with each section's well-placed images and informative text giving you a good insight into the artist's work and what influences them.
A brilliant wander through other people's craft that will inspire, inform and make you itch for your embroidery tools.
