Miniature Puchneedle Embroidery
1-56477-646-8. $17.95, 2006.
Punchneedle is a delightful needlecraft which is easy to learn and can create wonderful
effects, but it has suffered from a lack of information. Repansky’s book seeks to address
this problem and succeeds beautifully.
The introductory section of the book covers history, tools, techniques and finishing. The
remainder of the book includes 11 charming projects to get you started.
After a short introduction, the first chapter covers tools and supplies. Because there are
many different manufacturers of punchneedles, the pictures of the different brands is
especially useful. She also discusses the factors which go into choosing a needle. The
remainder of this chapter covers other materials needed (fabric and thread) as well as the
different types of hoops (essential for punchneedle.
The second chapter covers preparation, describing in great details (with wonderful pictures), the parts of a needle, preparing a pattern, and threading the needle. Since
threading is one of the more difficult parts of doing punchneedle, these instructions are a
terrific help. Some of the information, such as the section on separating floss will be
familiar to needlepointers, but the book is full of great ideas and clear instructions.
The third chapter, on punching technique, is the heart of the book. This is an area where
virtually all written material falls short, so these great explanations are a wonderful
reference. Not only does the chapter cover the basics mechanisms of punching, but it also
include handy tips and ideas for making your designs looks better. The final page of this
chapter has a great chart for troubleshooting.
One of the best sections in this chapter is “Punching the Background.” If you look at many
commercial designs, you see a lovely color picture which obvious has elements not
stitched in straight lines, suing hand-dyed threads. Because of the nature of these
threads the color changes. If you punch (or stitch) in a straight line, you get straight lines
of colors. Often you want curves. Repansky covers how to do this (including a picture of
the finished design) so you can see, immediately, the relation between punching direction
and the finished result.
The next chapter is short and covers threads and foundations. The material about threads
will be familiar to any stitchers, and we could even add some thread suggestions, but the
sections on mottled looks and using two colors simultaneously are ideas any stitcher can
apply.
The final two chapters of this section cover finishing and display. One attractive element of
punchneedle is that it is easy to finish. She covers three methods of finishing and
discusses in detail making twisted cord, framing and finishing as a pin.
The remainder of the book is given over to the projects. The designs are in a primitive,
hooked-rug influenced style which is common from punchneedle. They include cats, a
delightful sheep, quilt-influenced florals, and a trout. The designs are suitable for
beginners and provide several thread options, including hand-dyes and wool. All of them
are suitable for beginners and several of them would make beautiful first projects.
Throughout this section she has tips or observations about the project which will help you
when punching, Her step-by-step instructions leave nothing to chance, so that it will be
easy to get lovely results.
This book is not only the first book out on the topic (that I know of) but it is also one
which will be hard to beat.
Related posts:
Recent Comments