I especially like the fact that all the designs are printed on transfer paper at the back of the book. Carina’s designs always have a hand-drawn quality to them, and I was impressed to see that she’s managed to maintain that even with the repeating patterns in Mandalas to Embroider.

Twelve of the mandalas are large (sized to fit in a six-inch hoop), and 12 are miniature (sized to fit in a three-inch hoop), with iron-on transfers provided for each. With Carina's gentle guidance beginners can also learn how to display their creations in embroidery hoops, including the much-loved Dandelyne hoops which the 12 mini mandalas can fit inside perfectly. You don’t need much either; just cotton fabric, floss, a hoop and off you go (although if you really are new to this I recommend practising on a scrap of cloth before tackling a pattern). This looks like a fab book, I especially like that the designs come printed so you don’t have to trace them, and also that you can begin with smaller designs to build up your skills and confidence. As an optional extra you can add a piece of felt to the back, this will give the wall hanging a clean finish, perfect for giving as a gift.

Recently they have gained popularity for more secular reasons, but are still a meditative and calming practice which is why they feature in so many coloring books. Using the transfer patterns was a breeze - I used a hot iron with no steam, ironing the front and back of the fabric first, to heat it up, then pinning the transfer face down and ironing. As a matter of interest - the iron on transfers can apparently be used more than once, or you can trace and transfer that way if you wish. The stitches are explained with some very clear diagrams each with a caption complete with the sort of helpful hints you don’t usually see in books of stitches but which are very useful for beginners. In addition, there are notes on what you need in your basic embroidery kit from fabrics through to needles and thread which means those new to embroidery can start their journey to mindfulness right away.

There's a Materials and stitches section which walks you through each stitch used, a brief guide on hoops, and a how-to guide for mini Dandelyne hoops, which is a lovely plus. There are twelve large (about 6) mandalas and twelve small (about 2) ones, each shown stitched and as a color diagram which gives the stitches used and DMC threads. There is also a final, mystical mandala template included for you to transfer, allowing you to test your new embroidery skills and develop your new-found creativity. Alternatively, privacy settings in most browsers will allow you to prevent your browser from accepting new cookies, have it notify you when you receive a new cookie, or disable cookies altogether. By the end of the project, I felt very confident with the stitches used in this pattern, and I’m ready to learn some of the other stitches for my next embroidery project!There are twelve large (about 6”) mandalas and twelve small (about 2”) ones, each shown stitched and as a color diagram which gives the stitches used and DMC threads. So sit back, pick up your needles and lose yourself in the captivating, calming world of embroidery.

Not all are stitched on white which is good, and there are some ideas as to what to stitch them onto if you don’t just want to leave them in hoop frames.

In addition, there are notes on what you need in your basic embroidery kit - from fabrics through to needles and thread - which means those new to embroidery can start their journey to mindfulness right away. There are 12 large patterns made to fit in a 6 or 7 inch embroidery hoop, and 12 mini patterns for tiny Dandelyne hoops. The book is split into two halves: the first half includes clearly-illustrated stitch tutorials, instructions for preparing and finishing your work, and all the patterns, with colour palettes and stitching suggestions. Please note that I can only answer questions related to PlanetJune patterns and tutorials ( see details), and I can only respond to questions or comments written in English. Thanks so much for the giveaway, I love Carina's cheerful, bright sense of colour and would love to try stitching one of her pretty mandalas!

Il sera décidemment dit que je n'ai pas de chance avec les mandalas à broder et qu'il est bien préférable de faire son dessin soi- même , voire de dessiner et créer le mandala tour après tour en improvisant (avec quelques repères). There’s lots of brilliant instructions but by the same token you can do them your own way for example using beads and shisha mirrors like I will be doing. I decided to see how the design would look in a colour scheme inspired by real-life cherry blossom instead of Carina’s cheerful bright palette. Finance is provided by PayPal Credit (a trading name of PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH). Some of the technologies we use are necessary for critical functions like security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and to make the site work correctly for browsing and transactions.And I think Mandalas to Embroider is a perfect introduction to embroidery, as you can build your confidence by practicing your stitching on the smaller patterns, or do as I did and jump right into a large one. At the start of the book you'll find comprehensive guides to the tools and stitches you'll need to complete the designs in the book, as well as tips on working with embroidery hoops.