Best Embroidery Books with Transfer Patterns (2026): 5 Picks Compared

A reader with a hoop, fabric and thread needs a pattern to start from, and the best embroidery books with transfer patterns put designs in hand without tracing. This list compares design count, transfer format, projects and page count.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Embroidery Transfers by Burr	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Kew Embroidered Flowers by Burr	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Medieval Transfers by Noble	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Vintage Treasury by McNeill	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	500 Simply Charming Designs	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Embroidery Transfers by Burr

Trish Burr·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A book of iron-on transfer designs for stitchers who want ready motifs to reuse.

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Pros

• Over 70 iron-on designs plus 6 bonus designs
• Color inspiration for every design
• Papers store and reuse multiple times

Cons

• Project instructions sit in other books
• No step-by-step projects inside
• No thread conversion chart stated

2

Kew Embroidered Flowers by Burr

Trish Burr·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A flower project book with step-by-step projects and reusable iron-on transfers.

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Pros

• 11 step-by-step flower projects with full-size templates
• Reusable iron-on transfers included at the back
• Thread conversion chart included for choosing threads

Cons

• Flower projects only, no other motifs stated
• Long-and-short stitch is the main focus
• No animal or figure designs stated

3

Medieval Transfers by Noble

Marty Noble·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A transfer pattern book for crafters who want medieval motifs for needlework and other crafts.

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Pros

• More than 150 iron-on transfer patterns
• Complete instructions for applying patterns to cloth and wood
• Motifs include dragons, gargoyles, animals and birds

Cons

• Medieval motifs only, a narrow theme
• No stitch guide stated, only application instructions
• No projects stated beyond the patterns

4

Vintage Treasury by McNeill

Suzanne McNeill·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A pattern treasury of authentic vintage designs for quilts, linens and other sewing.

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Pros

• More than 400 authentic designs from classic magazines and catalogs
• 4 step-by-step projects for quilts, potholders and a laundry bag
• Tips on stitches, patterns, linens and tea dyeing

Cons

• No iron-on transfer papers stated
• Patterns need a separate transfer method
• No thread conversion chart stated

5

500 Simply Charming Designs

E & G Creates Co. LTD·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A design collection of simple motifs by category with a stitch guide.

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Pros

• 500 designs by category: home, holidays, animals, monograms
• 15 basic stitches clearly illustrated with essential techniques
• Gallery of finished projects gives ideas for clothes, bags and coasters

Cons

• No iron-on transfer papers stated
• No step-by-step projects stated, only a gallery
• Published September 1, 2013, the oldest book here

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More picks to compare

• Embroidering Plants and FlowersFor beginners who want 33 ready plant and flower patternsCheck on Amazon
• Christmas Embroidery TransfersFor stitchers who want 10 iron-on designs for a 6 inch hoopCheck on Amazon
• Mandalas Embroidery TransfersFor stitchers who want 10 iron-on mandala designs for a 6 inch hoopCheck on Amazon
• Trish Burr Nature Embroidery TransfersFor stitchers who want 75 iron-on nature designsCheck on Amazon
• Water Soluble Embroidery PatternsFor stitchers who want 14 stick and stitch patterns that wash awayCheck on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 25 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. None of the picks list a reading age or grade level, so fit, contents and value decide the ranking. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best embroidery books with transfer patterns

Check the transfer format

Iron-on papers differ from plain patterns. The transfer book and the Kew book state reusable iron-on transfers, while the other pattern books state no transfer format. See the beginners list for a first book.

Match the design count to the project

A large count suits a stitcher who wants choice. The transfer book gives over 70 designs plus 6 bonus designs, the medieval book more than 150, the vintage treasury more than 400, and the 500-design book 500.

Look at pages and projects together

Pages matter with projects. The Kew book runs 176 pages with 11 projects, the vintage treasury 224 pages with 4 projects, and the transfer book 64 pages with designs only. See stitch help on the stitch books list.

Before you buy

• Check publication dates: Kew, July 7, 2020; transfer book, October 27, 2020.
• Confirm iron-on transfer papers or patterns only before buying.
• Check page count against design count for brief coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best embroidery book for a beginner who wants transfer patterns?

The transfer book gives over 70 designs plus 6 bonus designs with color inspiration, while the Kew book adds step-by-step projects.

Do the transfer designs reuse?

The transfer book states its papers store and reuse multiple times, and the Kew book states reusable transfers.

Which book gives the most designs?

The 500-design book lists 500 designs, more than the vintage treasury at more than 400 designs.

Still deciding? Our top pickEmbroidery Transfers by Burr

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Related lists

See every nonfiction list.

More lists: best embroidery book for beginners, best embroidery stitch books, best origami book with paper included.