Happy Wednesday!! We are so thrilled to be the FINAL stop on the book/blog tour for Beverly McCullough’s brand new book, Retro Stitchery (Martingale). We’ve been fans of Bev’s work for years and have been thoroughly honored to work with her as both an Aurifil Artisan and an Aurifil Designer.
Bev’s blog, Flamingo Toes, has been a mainstay in the crafty blog world for years, and we generally see it as maker’s go-to for new project ideas and inspiration. She features everything from craft projects to embroidery, quilts to pillows, home organization tips to sewing ideas for kids.
When we first heard about Retro Stitchery, we just knew it was going to be amazing. We always find ourselves coveting Bev’s artfully stitched embroidered hoops and her custom stitched accessories, so we knew this was our chance to soak up some of that magic and create some stitchy masterpieces of our own!

The book is absolute perfection… 13 adorable projects with easily transferrable patterns, a full stitch guide, finishing suggestions, and a super handy stitching Q&A (particularly helpful for beginner stitchers) make it a gold mine for Summer stitching. With the option to finally head out that door and run to the pool, the beach, the mountains, or the lake, who wouldn’t want to pack up a perfect little stitch bag and take this stitching on the go?
We love the variety that Bev shares from one project to the next. Some might think about embroidery and wonder what else to do other than a finished hoop. Bev shows us that project ideas are endless, from hoops and frames, to necklaces and brooches, to tea towels, zippy pouches and even jean jackets!
Hilary Jordan, Aurifil’s fearless Social Media Manager, immediately gravitated toward the Coffee and Tea on the Go motifs because coffee + stitching is everything. We love that she picked ‘Hot & Strong’!

Hilary: I love the little coffee wrap motifs from Bev’s book, but since I don’t get to-go coffee often I knew I needed to switch it up a bit. I pulled a scrap of one of my favorite Lizzy House fabrics and Aurifloss colors 2455 & 1140 to stitch up the “Hot and Strong” motif.
Want to get your own copy of the book? Grab one right here from Martingale! If you’re stitching along, be sure to tag #retrostitcherybook #retrostitchery #madewithmartinagale @flamingotoes and @martingalepp so that the whole stitchy crew can cheer you on!
Follow along with Bev for more creative inspiration on Instagram & Facebook and don’t forget to join her fab Facebook group to chit chat with other stitch enthusiasts!
BOOK TOUR SCHEDULE
We’re grateful to be rounding out this amazing tour. If you’re just joining in, don’t miss all of the wonderful posts that came before this one. Click on the links below to see a slew of fabulous projects made from various Retro Stitchery motifs and don’t miss Bev’s post right HERE.
- March 24 – Mollie Johanson – Wild Olive
- March 31 – Jennifer Long – Bee Sew Inspired
- April 7 – Andy Knowlton – A Bright Corner
- April 14 – Melanie Call – A Bit of Scrap Stuff
- April 21 – Amy Smart – Diary of a Quilter
- April 28 – Amy Chappell – Ameroonie Designs
- May 5 – Jessica Dayon – Jessica Dayon
- May 12 – Sarah Sheen – What Saysie Makes
- May 19 – Stephanie Woodson – Swoodson Says
- May 26 – Jessica Anderson – Cutesy Crafts
- June 2 – Amista Baker – Amista Baker
- June 9 – Jen Van Orman – Heritage Threads
- June 16 – Lauren Wright – Molly and Mama
- June 23 – Amanda Cotton – Sewing Cotton, Riley Blake Designs Blog
- June 30 – Aurifil (YOU ARE HERE)