Embroidery is my hobby and I always have a few stitching projects on the go. Finished hoops are currently covering my sewing space and I love to display them according to the season. I was excited to learn that Cotton Clara was publishing a book of hoop designs called Sisters Gonna Stitch: A feminist embroidery guide by Cotton Clara. I love her Hoop Club boxes so I knew the book would be worth adding to my craft collection.

Sisters Gonna Stitch: A feminist embroidery guide

The book contains a fabulous collection of funny, sassy, uplifting embroidery patterns for the modern-day stitcher. Be inspired to kickstart your crafting journey with 50 gorgeous designs, as well as hints and tips from the experts at Cotton Clara.

Each pattern features an empowering, inspirational message that will speak to a new wave of embroiderers looking to add a fun, feminist slant to their artwork. Favourites include:

• WOMEN WHO LEAD, READ
• CATS AGAINST CATCALLS
• FRIES BEFORE GUYS
• TAKE UP SPACE
• ANOTHER DAY TO SLAY

It’s a lovely book and my only tiny criticism is that the instructions for each hoop is brief. The designs cover two pages – on the left is the finished hoop with a difficulty rating, thread colour reference and instructions. On the right hand page is the design. The designs need to be transferred onto your fabric but you can’t use a lightbox so you would have to trace it on tracing paper or perhaps photocopy it and use a lightbox. I would have preferred it if transfers were included to make it easier.

However it’s a great book and there are so many hoops I want to stitch, especially for my daughter’s room.

Sisters Gonna Stitch: A feminist embroidery guide by Cotton Clara is published by HarperCollins priced £10.99.