To document an embroidery book, take a clear photograph of every finished page and film one complete page-by-page showcase. Use even light, keep the camera steady and show both the full layout and the stitching details. For the StitchSonnet full-book challenge, photos and a complete video are both required, including every blank DIY page you have embroidered.
For your own progress record, you can photograph a work in progress, an uneven first row or an unfinished page. The complete-book requirements apply to the challenge, rather than to every photograph you take. For ideas on what to compare between sessions, see our repeat-practice guide.
Start with one page and check the result
Place your book near a window with soft, indirect light. Turn off lighting that gives the fabric a strong colour cast, and move away from glare. Wipe the camera lens, take a test photograph and zoom in to check whether the stitches look sharp.
Use a plain background so the page edges are easy to distinguish. Remove private letters, addresses and other personal details from the scene before recording.
Photograph the full page before the details
Begin with the camera roughly parallel to the fabric so one end of the page does not appear much larger than the other. Leave enough space around the edges to show that the whole page is included.
The StitchSonnet book contains 25 removable cotton pages: 6 foundation pages, 6 repeat-practice pages, 3 creative pages and 10 blank pages. The cover is not counted, and the pages are supplied unstitched. For a showcase, photograph the work you have added and keep a consistent page order as you remove and return pages.
Take an additional close-up when a detail is difficult to see in the full-page image. Keep the original full view as well. A close-up of one attractive corner cannot show that the rest of the page is complete.
- Use the same page order as the physical book.
- Check focus before moving to the next page.
- Avoid filters that change the thread colours or hide the fabric texture.
- Retake blurred or shadowed images while the book is still set up.
Film the complete book
Set the camera on a stable support where both hands can turn the pages safely. Begin with the book visible, open it and move through every page in sequence. Pause long enough for the viewer to see the design, then bring smaller details closer if necessary.
Include all completed DIY pages. A montage, fast flip-through or short highlights reel can be a useful social teaser, but it does not replace the complete showcase required for challenge verification. You do not need to record every hour spent stitching.
Add the story behind the work
Write a short reflection to accompany your evidence. Describe what finishing felt like, how you approached the pages, which stitches or materials you used, a difficulty you worked through and a suggestion for another maker. Specific observations are more useful than a list of compliments.
Check the files before sending
- Open each photograph and play the entire video.
- Confirm that every completed page appears clearly.
- Give files simple names that follow the book order, such as page-01 and page-02.
- For a large video, send a viewable link and check its access settings. Keep delivery details out of shared folders.
- For the challenge, include both Instagram and TikTok post links, the required hashtags and a clear reward disclosure.
Email your entry to hello@stitchsonnet.com. Read the complete challenge rules for eligibility, the first-99 limit and the January 10, 2027 at 23:59 UTC deadline.
Choose what we may share
Your submission is reviewed privately. Tell us whether you authorize a website or social showcase and which files are included in that permission. We only publish explicitly authorized content; challenge showcase permission is separate from reward eligibility.
If you are still choosing a place for your practice, explore the StitchSonnet Embroidery Practice Book Kit. For a routine that keeps samples and notes together, read how removable pages can become a keepsake.