Nuts about Needlepoint » book reviews

Merry Easter Eggs – book review

Janet Perry — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:11:35 +0000

Originally posted 2006-02-18 14:51:18. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Carolyn Hedge Baird. 2004.

Whimsical and bursting with ideas, Carolyn Hedge Baird has written a book of stitch ideas
which covers much more than just Easter Eggs. It contains “ideas for borders and stripes,
backgrounds, details, threads, finishing, and displaying your needlepoint eggs!”

The book can roughly be divided into four sections; introduction, stitch suggestions, stitch
dictionary and additional techniques. Each section is packed with ideas.

The introduction is short and includes an introduction (and a great story about the Easter
Raccoon (who now lives at my house, I think), an introduction, some thoughts about
needlepointing, and a wonderful set of outlines of Easter eggs (for designing your own).

The second section is called Easter Needlepoint. It is divided by types of objects (straw
hats, bunnies, etc.) and lists stitch and thread suggestions for all parts of the object.
Needing to stitch some dots? This section includes suggestions for evenly spaced dots,
random dots, dots over 4 threads, and dotted areas. Along with some stitch diagrams,
there are list of stitches for all these areas, as well as hints and comments. Blank pages
and graph paper are included throughout this section to record your own choices.

The largest section of the book is the stitch dictionary. It is divided into sections including
tiny and small stitches, backgrounds, stitches for details, laid fillings and more. The
sections begin with a listing of stitches in them and then each stitch is diagrammed, and
many have additional information. In the tiny stitches section, for example, she has a great
description of Chottie’s Plaid. Once again idea, blank pages, graph paper and clip art are
interspersed throughout the section.

Specialized techniques, finishing and display information make up the last section of the
book. This included information which often is not seen in needlepoint books with
sections on silk ribbon embroidery, wired ribbon, and beading as well as finishing and
display information.

I love this book and find myself turning to it often for ideas, but I would add a small word
of caution. For people who have difficulty reading or who don’t like densely packed
information on a page, Baird’s style could be difficult. Her typeface can be hard to read
(especially in small sizes) and with clip art, text and diagrams on a page, it can be difficult
for some people to see what is most important.

But these are small problems with a book which is joyous, fun and full of ideas, even if you
never stitch and Easter Egg.

Stitches to Go – book review

Janet Perry — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:49:04 +0000

Originally posted 2006-02-18 07:16:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Suzanne Howren & Beth Robertson, ISBN: 0-9663024-3-5, 2004.

I have to say I resisted buying this book for quite awhile, largely because I own all of the
Stitches for Effect books, so why would I need to get this small summary of the books.

But the book is wonderful. It’s small, small enough to fit in my stitching bag. It is packed,
just packed, with numbered diagrams of the stitches. No text, no explanations, no
suggestions for use — all of that is in the bigger books.

In the past when I’ve needed to remember how to do a stitch, I needed to go upstairs (to
my studio) to find a book, look up the stitch and maybe bring it back down to my stitching
chair. With Stitches to Go, I don’t need to do that. It can sit in bag, basket or even on the
table shelf which has my tool box. I can find the stitch, add it to the canvas and go on with
my work.

I’m like many stitchers, I know more stitches than I tend to use on a canvas. In the past,
since I didn’t have a stitch dictionary small enough to keep with my stitching, I tended to
use the same stitches over and over. Looking at Stitches to Go I found old, half-forgotten
friends, new stitches I wanted to try and new ways of looking at stitches I already knew.

The diagrams are large, clearly numbered and easy to see, they are presented in
alphabetical order, with six stitches per page. A separate section near the back of the book
presents Bargello and darning patterns, which are larger. There is an index at the back and
several blank pages for a Stitch Journal where you can record information about your
pieces.

As a quiet assistant, Stitches to Go is an essential part of a needleworker’s toolkit.

Pocket Stitch Books from Needlepoint, Inc and Threadworx – Product Review

Janet Perry — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:48:30 +0000

Recently I got two little stitch books that cover basic stitches and that are just the right size to pop into your project bag or purse. Needlepoint Inc’s book is called Simply Stitches and Thread Candy Studio’s book is called Simple Stitches. Both books are small and cover a variety of stitches, suitable for beginning stitchers.

Thread Candy Studio’s Simple Stitches has volume 1 on the cover. It begins with a section on thread use information that is organized by mesh size for 18 and 14 mesh canvas, 28 or 32 count linen over 2, and 7 + 10 count canvas. There is also a little box that has some general guidelines for choosing threads. While most of this information is correct, some of it, especially the suggestions for linen are only appropriate for cross stitch but this is never noted. The next page has an explanation of different types and sizes of needles. This is followed by a few pages of stitching tips, including specific tips for left-handers.

The stitches in this book are in alphabetical order by name with large numbered diagrams. Many stitches have two versions, one for right- and one for left-handers. By careful if you are learning a stitch to use the correct diagram. Each stitch has the stitch family listed, stitch tips, and, for many stitches suggestions for effects or threads.

All the stitches are listed in the index.

Needlepoint Inc’s Simply Stitches is designed to be a quick reference book of frequently used needlepoint stitches. It has no text, just one stitch per page with large clear diagrams. They are also in alphabetical order but a Table of Stitches at the front of the book allows you go directly to the stitch you want.

The stitches cover many beginning stitches as well as some unusual and more advanced stitches.

I prefer Needlepoint Inc’s approach to this kind of book, it has the information I need but in a compact format that will continue to be useful whether I am just learning to stitch or need an easy reference to carry with me.

But both are great little tools for any stitcher.

Downloadable Needlepoint Book – Needlepoint A Foundation Course

Janet Perry — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:22:56 +0000

Originally posted 2010-02-04 07:28:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

This book, Needlepoint A Foundation Course, is by Sandra Hardy and was originally published by England’s Guild of Master Craftsman in 1998. The complete book is now available as a download in Hotfiles or Depositfiles format (click on the link to go to the page).

This book is a good overview of needlepoint, with simple, clear explanations of basic stitches and techniques. While not all of her information is correct, there is lots of good stuff in this book. Some of the techniques, like shading, beadwork, and waste canvas are more advanced. Each technique has clear pictures illustrating it and a project to follow.

In general the 18 projects are traditional in design, calling on traditional and folks art for their inspiration. All of the projects have complete materials lists and working instructions. All are charted. This is my biggest problem with the book. The charts are in black and white with symbols and can be very hard to read. if possible, enlarge them before stitching.

For the more adventurous stitcher there is information about dying your own yarn and canvas as well as a chapter on design. The design chapter covers design, color, borders and the technical aspects of getting your design onto canvas.

Backgrounds: The Finishing Touch – book review

Janet Perry — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:15:09 +0000

Originally posted 2003-09-19 06:38:51. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

BACKGROUNDS: THE FINISHING TOUCH by Ann Strite-Kurz

The choice of a background which is both appropriate for the design and beautiful is a decision which often perplexes stitchers. But all stitchers agree that the right choice can really make the design.

Ann Strite-Kurz’s teaching projects project packs and stitching are well known for their wonderful open backgrounds. No matter what the design, you will find innovative open backgrounds enhancing her work.

In this book Ann has taken canvases (of her own and by many others) and used them as the basis for a book about open background techniques. It is comprehensive and dense with information.

The first chapter opens with a short history of needlepoint and then has what I think of as the heart of the book. Well over 100 canvases are pictured and the backgrounds are analyzed. Each design is pictured in black and white in the book and then in color on the accompanying CD. A second picture of a detail section of the background is also on the CD. Each canvas is analyzed and information is given about how the background was developed or why it is an appropriate choice. In the section Ann classifies the different types of backgrounds into classes such as mat backgrounds, painted backgrounds or partial backgrounds.

Following this chapter are six chapters of techniques which show you how to do many of the techniques seen in the pictured canvases. The second chapter covers planning and execution of open backgrounds including detailed suggestions for starting and stopping threads so they won’t show and how to plan a background to work with the design.

The remaining chapters are all devoted to specific techniques. In each chapter there is an explanation on how to work the technique (if needed) and then the patterns are discussed. Anyone who has read Ann’s previous books knows how thorough her diagrams and explanations are, and this book is no exception. For example, Pattern 11, Diamond Outlines in Tied Oblong Crosses has a large diagram of the over all pattern, a detailed explanation of the pattern and when to use it (it is a large scale pattern with oblique stitches, so it needs to be planned carefully). then there is another explanation with diagrams of how to stitch the pattern. The section ends with some suggestions (accompanied by diagrams) on how to make the pattern more dense.

Because the book is packed densely with information it is a book to be savored and read over and over again. Pick a canvas, page through the CD to find ideas, then through the book to find a background you like, everything you need to know to make these open patterns an asset to your canvas is there.

We are so lucky to have Ann and her wonderful way of analyzing patterns available to us.

The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Canvas Embroidery, vo. 1 – book review

Janet Perry — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:36:54 +0000

Originally posted 2002-08-18 09:04:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Jane Zimmerman, self-published, 2005, ISBN:0-9646219-3-2.

Jane Zimmerman is a teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge of all types of needlework.
She has decided to create a comprehensive collection of stitch variations and patterns. It
will be a collection of three books, of which this is the first. It covers Mosaic, Cashmere,
Scotch, Gobelin, Eyelet, and Plaited Stitches.

This book contains 385 stitches. Each stitch has a photograph or a stitched sample. and a
diagram. Many diagrams have numbering, and virtually all have noted about the stitch, the
type of variation, or the name.

Each chapter is devoted to a type of stitch (Mosaic, Cashmere and Scotch are grouped
together). The chapter have a brief introduction which describes the type of stitch and
something about the variations.

One aspect which is different about this book, the stitches are not titled. Names of stitches, if any, are found in the notes under the stitch diagram. This makes the book great for browsing. There’s also plenty of space under the photos for your notes.

Needless to say, there is not index, but there is a list of reference sources at the end of the
book.

Shay Pendray’s Inventive Needlework – book review

Janet Perry — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:14:40 +0000

Originally posted 2004-09-18 06:30:07. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

For people who have watched her Needlearts show on PBS, Shay and her wonderful way with all forms of needlework needs no introduction. For those who haven’t let’s just say that Shay is one of the nicest and most innovative needleworkers around.

This beautiful book distills much of Shay’s wisdom covering Goldwork, painted canvas and shading. Each section is lavishly illustrated with detailed explanations of techniques. I’m not very familiar with Goldwork and I found Shay’s explanations clear enough so that I would feel confident tackling a beginner’s project. There is a charming one, a dove, in the book.

The section on painted canvas has a good overview of threads and techniques. It includes detailed instructions on techniques which often aren’t covered, stripped threads, using a laying tool, and properly starting and ending threads. A wonderful part of this section talks about choosing the right canvas. Further information covers how to change colors on a painted canvas as well as several techniques for optically mixing colors.

Following this chapter about painted canvas is a chapter which goes into depth discussing how three different painted canvas Christmas stockings were stitched. Several pages are devoted to each canvas with a picture of the entire canvas as well as close-up pictures of
the details. Even if these three Tapestry Tent designs aren’t your cup of tea, you will find many ideas for using on your own canvases.

The section on shading covers two different techniques to create realistic shading. While the techniques were developed for surface embroidery, a part of this section shows how they can be applied to canvas. In fact, the shaded canvas piece is photographed on the
cover of the book.

The book ends with a gallery of designs. Each of the pieces in the gallery shows Shay’s consummate skill as a designer and stitcher. They provide much food for inspiration.

While this book is not a book for beginners. Every stitcher will learn useful information and find plenty of inspiration in this wonderful book.

Categories for Needlepoint Stitches, second edition – book review

Janet Perry — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:39:01 +0000

Originally posted 2010-05-20 07:02:06. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Categories for Needlepoint Stitches, second edition, Julia Key H. Snyder, self-published, 2008

When it comes to stitch dictionaries, there are two schools of thought. One group organizes the dictionary by the structure of the stitch. The Needlepoint Book is probably the best know of these. The other group organizes the dictionary by the area to be stitched. Categories for Needlepoint Stitches is an excellent addition to this type of stitch dictionary.

The great strength of this type of book is that when you are searching for a stitch most of the time you want a stitch for something specific. For example on my current project, I need a stitch for some clothing. In the chapter on fabrics, I find more than 20 pages of stitches, covering many techniques including laidwork, pattern darning and basketweave patterns for needlepoint damask. Other stitches are meant to leave areas of the canvas showing through.

Each section of the book has stitches and, sometimes, tips for the different areas commonly seen in needlepoint. My two favorites are in the section on Faces & Skin, with great tips for two perplexing areas, eyebrows and moths. Clearly Snyder has brought her long experience as a shopowner helping customers stitch canvases to this book.

There is only one small issue with the book and it is in all stitch dictionaries organized by canvas areas. Some stitches appear more than once. This is only a small problem and then only if you are reading it from cover to cover. If you are using the book as intended to find a specific stitch for an area, this is no problem at all.

I highly recommend this book as a great little stitch dictionary for your workbasket or project bag.

Needlepoint for Men – A Classic Needlepoint Book

Janet Perry — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:23:42 +0000

Written at the height of the needlepoint craze in the 1970′s, Rosey Grier’s book, Needlepoint for Men, is a classic beginners book on needlepoint.

Diane over at Crafty Pod has a delightful post about it.

These days Grier is a preacher in the LA area. Does he still needlepoint? I don’t know but I hope so.

Copies of the book pop up fairly often and you can sometimes find other posts talking about it.

Landscape Stitches — book review

Janet Perry — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:08:44 +0000

This delightful book from Little House Canvas Company came out earlier this year and has been a huge success. Small enough to fit into your stitching bag, but with over 370 stitches, it’s a great find. It took me awhile to get my copy and then a while longer to try out the innovative stitches in it.

And now I’m hooked. There is so much information packed into the book. First it is organized so nicely, by the types of things you see in landscapes: grass, sky, clouds, rocks, etc.

Every category has a bunch of stitches in it six to a page in small but very clear diagrams. At the beginning of each chapter there is a page of suggestions on how to use the stitches.

Two things intrigued me about the stitches and compelled me to try them out. First there were so many stitches I didn’t know. When you realize I have just about every stitch dictionary out there and have close to 500 stitches charted on my computer, you’ll understand why this was a surprise. Second most of the stitches needed two different threads. I just wasn’t sure how well this would work.

So I’m trying it out on a Mission from ABS Designs. It has a sky, shrubbery, grass, soil, and a driveway I decided to do in one of the stone stitches. For some areas I used only one thread for both threads in the stitch. For others I used two threads.

The results are wonderful. The canvas has many more textured stitches on it than I would have done before the book. And, even though I picked them pretty much at random, they all go together. They also all look good, whether in one thread or two.

An iPhone/iPad/iPod version of the book will be out in November and I can’t wait.

Buy this book, it’s amazing.

Now can we get another one?