Astrology Embroidery: Stitch the Zodiac and 30 Celestial Patterns

Learn to stitch your favorite star signs and other celestial wonders as envisioned by renowned fine artist Maya Hanisch.

Through the centuries, people have looked to the night sky for inspiration and guidance. With all the upheaval in the world, looking to the ever-steady stars is more appealing than ever. Hand embroidery offers yet another kind of relief in turbulent times. Taking a break from the screen and focusing on the simple rhythm of stitching colorful images in cloth can have a calming, meditative effect.

Astrology Embroidery marries these two sources of calm by providing 30 original celestial patterns with embroidery instructions and illustrations.  The beginner-friendly patterns include all 12 of the zodiac signs so you can personalize your projects.

The book offers a primer on embroidery techniques, materials, and stitches. Each pattern comes with step-by-step instructions and reference images of the finished project.

Take a moment to unplug—appreciate the beauty, calm, and clarity of the night sky while creating a galaxy in an embroidery hoop.

Chilean illustrator and children’s book author Maya Hanisch paints in colorful details that charm and enchant. Her folkloric illustrations give life to beautiful animals, stunning flowers, all carefully embellished with tiny leaves, cute dots, and graceful flourishes.

Maya studied graphic design at Universidad Diego Portales in Santiago, Chile, and painting at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts.  

In 2015, Maya received the Purple Island Award in the Nami Island International Picture Book Illustration Concours in South Korea for her book Color Animal, in which she brings to life a series of animals using collage. Also in 2015, she was selected to represent Chile in the Biennial of Illustration Bratislava, one of the oldest international honors for children's book illustrators. Color Animal was selected among the twenty best children’s books of 2015 by the Chilean institution, Fundación La Fuente.

Her latest book, So Many Things, was published in its first edition in Chile, France, and the US.

Maya has taught classes and workshops at universities and book fairs around the world. Her paintings and collages have been exhibited both in Chile and abroad.