The Small Book Series Needlepoint, by Jane D. Zimmerman, (self-published) 2010, ISBN:0-9646219-6-7, $19.95.
There are so many good things to say about this little book, it’s hard to know where to begin. First off, it’s small (the size of a folded over piece of paper), so it’s easy to stick in your project pack. Second each page is given over to a single stitch, so the photos and diagrams are large and easy to read. Finally, the diagrams make it easy for even beginners to learn the 40+ stitches in the book with numbering and arrows on the diagrams.
Jane is immensely knowledgeable about needlepoint and this shows through in both her selection of stitches and in the notes about each stitch. Every stitch gets at least one paragraph, often two, with information about the stitch, its history, and some ideas for variations. With so many stitch dictionaries having either too much or too little information, this teacher on your shoulder approach is just perfect.
The photos of every stitch are large and clear. They are in black and white, but big enough so you can get a good idea of how the stitch will work as a background. Just looking through the book I got so many great ideas for backgrounds, I’m totally jazzed.
The is the first of what will be an exciting series of books. Books on background stitches (2 volumes), layered fillings (3 volumes), bands and borders (3 volumes), and composite patterns (2 volumes) are planned. Further books in the series will include Canvas Bead Embellishment, Florentine Patterns, Shading and Darning Patterns.
To learn more about the series and her other ventures, visit Jane’s site.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
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