Assisi work is the name given to a technique of stitching which is believed to originate in convents in 13th century Italy and initially used for stitching religious items. Its popularity increased and by the 16th century it had spread to the secular community but waned again in the 18th century before being revived in the 1860s as a traditional handicraft.

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It was traditionally worked on linen cloth and the medieval motifs were created by stitching the outline in a form of straight or back stitch with a background stitched in cross stitch. Usually just two colours, red or blue, and black, were used although green and gold also became popular colours to use.

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This booklet gives basic techniques (with illustrations) and some designs to try, along with information about suitable fabrics and threads to use.