What 7 needlepoint books would you take if you were to be stranded on desert island? You have to whittle the collection. They need to fit into your tote bag. They have to keep you happy for an extended stay.
I’d definitely take Jo Ippolito’s Needlepoint Book. Not only does it have so many stitches, it has those wonderfully inspiring pictures of finished needlepoint. It is also hands-down the best and most complete book on all aspects of needlepoint.
I’d take Needlepoint and Beyond, a book from the late 1970’s or early 1980’s. I bought this book when it first came out and had to replace that copy with another. I love it because it explains many advanced needlepoint techniques and encourages you to spread your wings creatively in a way other books do not.
I’d take the two Needlepoint Designs from Great American Quilts, two other books I’ve had since they came out. I love these books and have made many projects from them.
I would add to this just one CD, Ruth Schmuff’s Backgrounds CD because the patterns can so easily be done as needlepoint damask.
I love Bargello so I’d take my own Bargello Revisited, not because I wrote it, but because it is the only comprehensive Bargello book. It has lots of projects to boot.
I could live with these 5 needlepoint books because I’d want to add a couple of other books for inspiration.
First I’d include The Quilter’s Album of Patchwork Patterns by Jinny Beyer. It has over 500 quilt blocks, helps you analyze them With it I’ll have stitching inspiration for years.
The last book I’d take is The 20th Century in Color from Pantone. It has dozens of color schemes from throughout the 20th Century and the items that inspired them. More inspiration.
I’ve got stitching covered with stitches, techniques, projects, and inspiration. They will all even fit in a tote bag.
But how do I get the endless supply of canvas, threads, and stretcher bars?
That’s what I’d take — how about you?
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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