A Month-to-Month Collection of Motifs for Seasonal Stitching

A Year of Embroidery by Yumiko Higuchi is a collection of 38 embroidery designs organised by month, each one inspired by the imagery and mood of its season. The aesthetic is distinctly Higuchi — a blend of Scandinavian design sensibility filtered through a Japanese eye, resulting in motifs that are colourful, detailed, and quietly charming.

The year moves from snow flowers and skiing bears in January through lily of the valley in May, a gathering of seed pods in October, and trumpeting angels in December. Each design is substantial in scale, making them well suited as framed or hanging pieces, though the book also hints at how the motifs can be applied to napkins, hats, bags, and aprons.

Part of the Make Good: Japanese Craft Style series from Shambhala Publications.