Stumpwork Embroidery and Thread Painting Book Review

While I love learning about the history of various crafts, a theme that often comes up is how artists and makers are fighting to keep those crafts alive. Sometimes a craft is known in a general sense, such as embroidery, but more specialty variations are not–such as stumpwork and thread painting. Thankfully, artists such as Megan Zaniewski are using their skills to showcase these often forgotten creative techniques. When I was asked to participate in the virtual book tour for Megan’s new book, Stumpwork Embroidery and Thread Painting, I was incredibly honored. I’m an unashamed craft book collector, but they’re not all created equal and this book is one of the most inspiring I’ve come across in a long time. Keep reading to get my full review and the chance to win your own copy!

A Brief History of Stumpwork

Stumpwork is essentially 3D embroidery–the techniques used create a raised effect in the design. Sometimes the stitches themselves create this effect, but sometimes wire is used as well. Stumpwork became popular in England in the mid 1600s, but it was only called raised embroidery then–it became known as stumpwork at the end of the 19th century. While it was common for women to learn how to sew, embroidery was a luxury reserved for wealthy households and a way to show off decorative skill beyond the sewing reserved for household necessities. There were a number of developmental markers to show off increased skill, ending with an embroidered stumpwork casket (box). Traditional stumpwork was often stitched as a scene that could include royal figures, biblical and mythical stories, and nature motifs. Many museums throughout the UK and beyond have great exhibits featuring stumpwork caskets and panels.

Book Review

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Megan’s book solves the accessibility issue–this book gives you every piece of information you need in order to make a stumpwork project. If you’re already a crafter, you may even have many of the needed supplies already. The book details general embroidery materials, stumpwork materials, thread, fabric, and felt recommendations, and ideas on where to get frames. Nothing feels out of reach and nothing is too expensive–this craft is for everyone now.

Stumpwork Embroidery and Thread Painting is not just a gorgeous book–it teaches you everything you need to know in a simple and patient way. From first stitches to finishing techniques, Megan guides you along every step. If there’s a term or a stitch you come across in a project that you aren’t familiar with, the instructions will be found in the stitch guide. At no point do you need to leave to book to get what you need–every last detail is already there. And they’re thoughtful details–I can’t tell you how much I appreciate having thread lists in numerical order (you’d be surprised at how many people don’t seem to have any order to their thread lists and you’re constantly up and down and back and forth with the already messy thread racks)!

There are 15 projects in the book, all inspired by nature. None of the projects are so big that they feel insurmountable and there’s something for everyone, from gorgeous moths that pop off the fabric to tiny rabbits with tiny details. There are both decor and accessory projects and I’m guessing that there won’t be anyone who can’t find the perfect project to start with.

What I really appreciate, though, is that Megan not only guides you through everything you need for these projects, she takes you through her process of creating so that you can design your own one-of-a-kind piece. She openly shares her inspirations and guides the reader through the process of references, sketching, designing, selecting colors–she shares it all. This isn’t just a book of projects–it’s a book that truly teaches you the skills you need to not just make her designs, but to then be able to create your own.

Stitching a Chipmunk Brooch

Learning about a craft is one thing–actually making something is another. While the book is gorgeous and every detail seems to be covered, the best way to really discover a book is to make a project from it. I can’t pass up cute fluffy tails, so when I saw the chipmunk pendant project, I knew that was going to be my starting point. Full disclosure–you’ll see that I didn’t follow the project instructions exactly. I used what I had on hand and adapted, but the great thing about how step by step this book is is that I was able to end up with a piece I’m happy with regardless.

My fabric is obviously different from the one in the book and was honestly a bit difficult to work with–I would highly recommend using the listed fabric or something as similar as you can get. I also used a different way to transfer the pattern onto the fabric. I didn’t have graphite transfer paper or printable stick n’ stitch paper, both of which would have given me crisper lines to work with. Instead I used a lightpad placed under the book page, traced the pattern with a pen onto a piece of regular paper, and then used the lightpad again to trace the pattern from the paper onto my fabric with a washable fabric pen. You can see that I’ve lost a lot of detail because of this–it’s workable but not ideal. The last big difference is that I wasn’t able to find every exact thread color in the pattern, so got as close as I could.

Even with the wrong kind of fabric and the limited details on my transferred pattern, the instructions for the project (and every project in the book!) are so detailed in both written directions and photos that I was able to get pretty close to what the project was supposed to look like.

This chipmunk is a small project that is easily finished in a day. I decided to turn mine into a simple brooch–I didn’t have what I needed for a pendant, but I do love brooches. To do that, I cut two ovals out of 48 point thick matboard. I attached the chipmunk to one and backing fabric to the other. You can do this with glue, stitching, or a combination of both.

To complete the brooch, attach the “wrong” side of the two ovals together. Again, this can be done with glue, stitching, or a combination. Find a fun trim to attach around the edge. Finish the brooch by gluing a pin back to the fabric oval.

Granted I’m not a beginner when it comes to embroidery, but I truly feel like this book is beginner friendly while seamlessly teaching advanced techniques. Every step is so detailed and simplified that I really feel like stitchers of any skill level can accomplish the projects.

Win a copy of the e-book!

**This giveaway has ended and the winner has been notified. Thank you!!**

To help celebrate the launch of this amazing book, I get to give away an e-book copy. I’m giving you two chances to win:

• follow me on Instagram and then leave me a comment here with the account you followed under
• follow Megan on Instagram and then leave me a comment here with the account you followed under

This giveaway will end on February 5, 2024 at 11:59 pm. A winner will be drawn on February 6.