Mystical Stitches - by Christi Johnson (Hardcover)

About the Book

This gorgeous embroidery book features nearly 200 original designs for symbols inspired by a colorful folk art aesthetic and infused with metaphysical meaning. How-to instructions allow readers to combine and stitch each symbol to create unique embroidered objects of personal significance.

Book Synopsis

Undergo a personal transformation through the stitching of dreams and intentions in this creativity-inspiring craft book.

Anything but ordinary, Mystical Stitches combines the beloved and accessible craft of embroidery with a spiritual element, introducing a rich treasury of 200 magical symbols you can use to set an intention and create personal icons to wear or embellish items in the home. Christi Johnson offers unique patterns inspired by botanicals, animals, numbers, the cosmos, earth elements, zodiac signs, and mythical beasts, for novice or well-practiced crafters to combine into talismans with personal meaning. Johnson's folk art style is vibrant and unintimidating and provides a framework for bringing spiritual elements into physical form.

From the Back Cover

Make your embroidery glow with mystical meaning, guided by Christi Johnson's rich treasury of 200 magical symbols. Combine numbers, planets, animals, forces of nature, and more to create a personal talisman to express your deepest wishes and intentions through colorful stitchery. Use a lightning bolt to call on swift action and illuminate messages. A raindrop symbolizes release, support, and nourishment. The pomegranate is a sign of immortality and ultimate potential.

Step-by-step instructions and patterns make it easy to re-create each symbol and develop original designs to adorn your clothing, enhance an altar, or make a wall hanging. Whether you're a new or experienced stitcher, you'll be inspired to expand your practice of creative and mindful embroidery.

Review Quotes

"What a gift for the world to have Christi Johnson's work in printed form. In this book we have the honor of joining Johnson's journey through embroidery, but we are also invited to go so much deeper than just stitching. Johnson leads us through beloved symbols and incredible imagery--like moon phases, zodiac signs, mythical beasts, and medicinal plants--and also offers suggestions for ways to live, connect, and heal. Christi makes magic with words and images--her intentions, inspirations, and intuition shine so brightly through every page of this stunning book." -- Katrina Rodabaugh, artist and author of Make Thrift Mend and Mending Matters

"This book is so generous in the way it perfectly balances supportive, clear instructional content and technical information with permission, guidance, and encouragement to experience creativity and process free from perfectionism or external constraints and expectations. The links between magic and creativity and spirituality are so deep and beautifully expressed." -- Sarah K. Benning, author of Embroidered Life

"Completely fascinating and breathtakingly beautiful! Like Johnson's embroidery itself, Mystical Stitches channels the power of sacred imagery to seamlessly weave magical symbols into a multidimensional creative outpouring." -- Erica Feldmann of Hauswitch

"Christi Johnson's Mystical Stitches encourages spiritual forms of artistic expression. Part arts and crafts book, part meditative spiritual guide, it reveals the power of symbols, showing how to create them through fiber arts... Throughout, the book invites deep self-expression that embodies, through tangible visual symbols, the power of the spiritual imagination." -- Foreword Reviews

"The whole volume centers embroidery within spiritual practice, and if you're already drawn to the mystical, you'll likely reach for the floss soon after exploring these alluring pages." -- BookPage

About the Author

Christi Johnson is an embroidery and textile artist and the author of Mystical Stitches. Johnson studied Fashion Design at Otis College of Art and Design and honed her craft in the Los Angeles fashion industry for nearly a decade, designing limited-edition embroideries for boutique brands. Now residing in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, Johnson teaches workshops in natural dyeing and embroidery and develops kits and booklets for aspiring artists and DIY enthusiasts. Johnson's garments, booklets, kits, and embroidered artwork are sold in maker studios and boutiques nationwide. Find Christi Johnson online at mixedcolor.net, and tune in to her podcast, Stitch Wish, for more inspiration.