The Embroidery of Mexico - Gimena Romero

A vibrant celebration of Mexico’s rich embroidery heritage, covering eight key traditional and modern styles with over 30 templates to trace off and use.

Part travelog, part artistic meditation and part practical guide, this stunning hardback book invites embroiderers of all levels to discover the living heritage of Mexican embroidery and make it their own. Artist and researcher Gimena Romero takes readers deep into the symbolic language of stitch, tracing its threads from indigenous communities to contemporary urban streetscapes.

Discover: distinct regional styles including Tenango, Street, Mazahua, Thought, Mixe and Purépecha embroidery, each introduced through vibrant photography, storytelling and in-depth technique; experimental practices such as Lavín embroidery (using human hair) and Romero’s own abstract, texture-based compositions; stitches, motifs and techniques including: Tenango foot, Xi (tree leaf), Zigzag, Eye, Leaves; fruit-based filler stitches like Open banana, Pineapple, Strawberry and Woven watermelon; Mixe stitches rooted in regional language and culture, and contemporary embellishment techniques: Cortès braid, Moss, Mexican coral stitch and Interlinked hearts; practical guidance on tools, materials, and transferring designs; 8 pages of full-size templates, ready to copy off and use.

Stitches are not merely technical tools – they carry symbolic, poetic meaning. Many are named in indigenous languages or with metaphorical phrases that reflect daily life, identity and ritual. Gimena encourages readers not only to replicate these stitches and embroideries, but also to reinterpret them in their own artistic voices. Keep the stunning traditions of Mexican artistry alive in this evocative visual journey through the diverse embroidery traditions of Mexico, blending hands-on instruction with cultural reflection. Photography by Pedro Aragón.