5 comments about The New Crewel: Exquisite Designs in Contemporary Embroidery.

1. This is absolutely my favorite crewel book! Katherine Shaugnessy has taken crewel to a new level that works with the modern as well as the traditional home decor. Her instructions and diagrams are designed for the novice as well as the experienced embroiderer. She has so many new and different ideas and ways to use embroidery you won't know where to begin. Her fantastic use of color is the key to this super book and I can't wait to get started! This is definately a must have for anyone who loves embroidery as I do.



2. I loved this book with its quirky designs. I was a bit afraid of crewel work until I read this book; it's easy & fun. All projects are very "do-able" and a lot of them can be done quickly with a minimum of fuss; ideal for a weekend & great for gifts. You don't need to have an extensive stash of threads to do these projects (although what embroiderer doesn't!!)which makes them affordable. Katherine has terrific suggestions for some of the designs & the book has funny anecdotes & tips & hints spread out through its beautifully illustrated pages. I can see this book becoming a firm favorite of mine.



3. In my youth, I used enjoy doing embroidery projects, but grew bored with the typical imagery associated with the techniques involved (pillowcases and linen dishtowels - ugh). So I put it away until recently when I saw the renewed interest probably due to artists like Ms. Shaughnessy. This book encouraged me to create my own images using various types of thread (discussed in the materials and tools section). The stitches used and developed by the author, who focused on crewel when she was younger, is artistically stimulating. The author's amazing work is creative and so often draws your eye across the work as one would do with a classic painting in a museum. In addition, her discussion on the history of crewel (too brief IMHO) evokes the thread artistry tradition from the past to the "new" work of today. This book provides an excellent way to bring the passion back to thread art (crewel, embroidery).



4. In this book, simplicity meets innovativeness. That is why this book is has something for everyone regardless of how much you have embroidered before. The beautiful, yet non-complicated designs will tempt someone who never have embroidered before to take up embroidery. The stitching instructions are clear, and the books have many examples of fun projects to do. For the more seasoned embroiderer, the book is a source of inspiration. The designs can be easily be adapted to new embroidery projects, or one can use the designs in the book as a starting point for making one's own designs



5. I really like this book because it isn't filled with patterns of Thomas Kincade-like images. It is fresh and modern, with great ideas for projects and good instructions for getting started. I ordered several patterns and wool yarn from Ms Shaunessey's online store too. Terriffic!

5 comments about Mary Thomas's Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches.

1. This is simply the best embroidery stitch book I have ever read. An excellent buy. The pictures, instructions and phots all correlate with colour to make learning a new stitch a breeze. I have found the instructions straight forward and clear. Recommend this book to anybody working in textiles.



2. I hadn't touched embroidery for about 40 years and this book is so detailed with TONS of photos that I had no trouble learning lots of new stitches. I took it to work and shared it with two very experienced embroiders and both were very impressed with the variety of stitches presented and the detailed images.



3. What everyone says here is TRUE! Mary Thomas wrote the first classic encyclopedia of stitches and it has been lovingly updated. It is the PERFECT embroidery overview ever created for both total beginners and advanced. Clearly written with illustrated instructions, expect to be inspired and prepare to succeed!!
   
   I was trying to find a good basic embroidery book and had no luck. Though found all kinds of needlepoint, or machine embroidery books or expensive software but it was really hard to find a good hand-embroidery book. I couldn't believe my good fortune when I found this. It is a total treasure! If the publishers could come up with a spiral bound version, that would be even better.
   
   Have fun!!



4. I bought this book when I decided it was time to get back to some of my needlework projects after many, many years. The book is very helpful, showing detailed, clear drawings of stitches. There are also color photos of completed work so you can see what the stitches look like in color, etc. Highly recommend this book.



5. This revised edition is a great resource for both beginners and more advanced users. The illustrations and instructions are very clear and easy to follow and the allover design is very good.

5 comments about Bead Embroidery.

1. I really liked this book. I bought about 5 and this is exactly what I was looking for. It taught me what I need to know!!



2. I haven't had a chance to try the techniques out yet but in thumbing through the pages this one looks by far the best bead embroidery book I've seen as far as illustrations and easy to understand instructions go.



3. You are taken through the basic steps that might mystify you before you start, such as finishing off thread. The exquisite details will help in getting you through the stages of the embroidery.The pages of the book are stiff and you need a book stand with clips to keep it open. I found the variety of stitches demonstrated inspiring and will go back to the book as I progress in a project. An important detail not included was the angle of a needle to have a bead sit straight (found in another book). Excellent referral source.



4. Step by step instructions and copious illustrations. An excellent book for those who want to bead woodland designs.



5. I just started to interesting in beading and this book is excellent source for amateurs. I can see every details and create some interesting thing by myself.

5 comments about The Art of Bead Embroidery: Techniques, Designs & Inspirations.

1. As a long time beader and lover of bead embroidery I have to say this is the best book on the subject I've ever seen. Each project is unique and has very complete instructions. I want to try everything in the book. Wonderful artistry and talent from both authors.



2. Excellent book for those who want to create stunning, beyond "just stringing", bead jewelry. Heidi and Sherry are the gurus of the field.



3. This is a beautiful book, both in the photos and the way it is written.
   But if you can only afford one book, I think Eakin's "Beading with Cabachons" is a better one to start with.



4. The main reason I purchased this book is the type of work that the authors create. The second reason is because I have met her and her husband in the past as we all have a biker lifestyle.
   
   She lives in my area. Her work is so magnificent that it is scary. I looked at this book very carefully and was just in awe. She and her co-author were destined to meet and collaberate. Spelling stinks sometimes!
   
   These ladies have the talent that beads the band! They are queens of jewelry making. The items are beautiful beyond words. And yes, I plan on using their pieces as ideas for my own envisioned pieces but my skill level is just entering intermediate. I discovered that stringing is not something that I want to do full time. I have been looking all over for info on very intricate pieces that I might be able to attempt to make.
   I live in Butler, PA and was just very happy to see there really are other beaders in western PA.
   
   Ladies, keep up that most dramatic and beautiful work. Keep writing books so I can keep on keeping on!!!!
   
   HIGHLY recommended.
   Thank you.
   Jeanne Zimmerman



5. Even if you never make a project from this book, you will truely feast your eyes on the astounding works of art you will find here. Combine that with really warm and friendly dialog, and I totally loved this book. I have not tried to follow the project directions yet, but they look very nice.

5 comments about Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To.

1. This is the first book on embroidery that I picked up. It has been great for a newbie like me, but I have a feeling more advanced embroiderers might find it frustrating. The patterns are pretty basic, but there are many and plenty you can do to embellish what's given. I found the color pictures of her work beautiful, and the photos gave me some good ideas for what I could do with my own. I did rely on the beginning section and found it helpful with regard to how to prepare your materials, iron on the patterns, what size hoops to get, etc. The section explaining the individual stitch types was a little frustrating. I did have to rely on a different book that had actual pictures of the stitches in action (this book uses simple 2D drawings) in order to learn them. Overall though, this pattern book is very cute, the inside pockets for storing patterns are handy, and the binding means it will hold up well.
   
   Embroidery is a very fun and inexpensive hobby. If you're thinking about starting, this is a fun book to begin with. It will give you plenty of ideas of projects to do for other people... whether it be a new baby or some kitchen curtains.



2. This is a good book because the front section covers basic stitches, and the rest is tons of wonderful patterns to cut out and use on just about anything. I have used many of them on various items, and most of them are basic enough to be mixed and matched to come up with unique motifs. I also like that the book has pockets to keep the patterns you cut out.



3. This book is everything it says it is and less. Ok it is an ok book. I purchased it for the iron on transfers. First let me say that there are many in the book so I cannot fault them there. I was sadly disappointed though that they were all so outdated. You might as well spend a dollar here and there and buy some of Aunt Martha's iron on transfers. Or better yet, some tracing paper. There isn't anything in this book that you can't doodle yourself. I would say for those just starting out, this would be an excellent sourse of transfers if you like funky little space ships, mariachi dancers and fruit. I did like the martini glasses, lol.



4. I do like this book, but I have to say that I was looking for more modern themes and thought this book would provide. I was a little disappointed when I thumbed through the transfers and only found a couple that are significant. I have other transfer books for the basic patterns, but this book does provide some basic stitch options and instructions that are helpful.



5. This book has tons of embroidery designs that are fantastic, as well as a comprehensive guide to the basics of embroidery stitches. However, I found that a lot of the designs that were offered in her book weren't as great, for me, as I would've hoped. Overall, I only liked maybe a quarter of the designs to use for myself or family/friends. I have no use for babies or kid patterns, so a lot of those weren't for me. There were also a lot of "standard" designs - which is a good and bad thing. (For example, baby rattles, Scottie dogs, words in script) It's bad because they wouldn't be that hard to find somewhere else, or for free, but this book has all of them in one place to make it almost a beginner's Bible for Basic Embroidery.
   
   [...]
   
   Definitely a great book, I highly recommend it as a go-to guide for basic embroidery designs, with some slightly advanced ones to work up to. If you aren't pleased with all of the patterns in the book, then don't stop there, go to Ms. Hart's website.

5 comments about Embroidery Machine Essentials: How to Stabilize, Hoop and Stitch Decorative Designs.

1. This is a great book for beginners as well as more advanced machine embroiderer's. I particulary liked the designs on the included CD.



2. This is a great book. I am new at machine embroidery and found this book a wonderful reference book for what kind of stabilizer to use and an overall great "how to" for beginners.



3. I was very helpful to me. I'm just a beginner with a newer machine. I could not relate to some of the information. But it did help me with the basics.



4. I have just bought an embroidery machine and so am a complete novice in this area. I have found the book clear, well illustrated and simple to use. It has been invaluable helping me in my first steps of machine embroidery. The results are outstanding and the projects easy to follow.



5. I have been sewing for years and years and bought a top of the line sewing/embroidery machine combo one year ago. I just purchased this book and even though I had been doing lots of embroidery successfully,
   I think there is quite alot of useful information and techniques which
   will help me on future projects.
   
   I just bought another copy of this book as a gift for a friend who just
   got the same machine I have. I KNOW she will find it incredibly useful.
   Sometimes the instruction manuals that come with a machine just don't
   cover enough detail and this book certainly fills that in.

5 comments about The Perfect Fit: The Classic Guide to Altering Patterns.

1. I really like that book especially since it is full of drawings. They are really precise as well. it's very short, but there is a lot of information in it. I think it is a beautiful book for beginners



2. I love this book and will cherish it. The photos are clear and precise. I was able to read this book in approximately 15 minutes because it's mostly pictures. The techniques on altering patterns were extremely easy. Will not part with this pratical resource.



3. I'm not sure how this works, but this is exactly the same book as the book of the same title in the Singer Sewing Reference Library, published in 1987! Even the cover is the same: only the color has been changed. In this case, I realized that I owned the book before purchasing it. Once before, I bought a quilting book that was a Joanne's reissue of a book that Better Homes and Gardens had originally put out. In that case, some of the content and illustrations had been changed, but not much. I felt ripped off and returned the book. A nuisance. Sometimes there will be a note on the copyright page stating that it is a reissue, but that was not the case.
   
   That said; this is one of my go-to books for fitting problems. The photos are so helpful and clear. It is a basic text, but very thorough. It's a must-have for most sewing libraries, in my opinion.



4. ... guide to adjusting commercial patterns. I borrowed this book from my local library and was so impressed I ordered my own copy immediately from Amazon. If you never quite get the right fit using commercial patterns then this book is for you. Simple, clear, concise, easily followed instructions, each accompanied by a clear colour photo. It also covers adjustments for various body shapes and recommends styles that suit or don't accordingly. I have now been able to make a master pattern for a top that perfectly fits my sloping shoulders. Using this book it was so simple. It would suit absolute beginner home sewers to those of an intermediate level. My next project will be perfectly fitting trousers ;-) Very highly recommended.



5. Haven't been able to use the book since I had already fiqured out the fit for my daughter's wedding gown before I found out about the book, but looks like it will be helpful for future projects. Got the book in short time and in good condition.
   Kathy

5 comments about Digitizing Made Easy: Create Custom Embroidery Designs Like a Pro.

1. Book arrived in excellent condition in record time. Well written, very informative and will be an asset to my sewing library!



2. This book exceeded my expectations for the price. It is packed with great instruction for any digitizing software and wonderful embroidery/digitizing history.



3. IF you struggle to understanding why embroidery designs resized in your software program did not sew out right--this basic book is for you. If you already know the terms PUSH & PULL and concept of compensation...then probably too basic. For me, embroidery is new hobby. I purchased the 4D software and only afterwards realized it assumed a knowledge base beyond what I had to make my investment worthwhile. This book is useful beginner resource and very easy to understand. Accompanying CD is designed to sell more of his product. He demos his instructional CD as well...so recommendation might be to look into that first if you prefer that as learning method.



4. This was a wonderful book. For someone who doesn't know where to begin, this worked for me.



5. This book is not about how to digitize as much as it is about expanding your information about what is possible with digitizing. Mr. Deer has a great deal of knowledge that he share with you. Only a few of the included designs are really good ones. His goal is to encourage you to bravely try digitizing on your own. I was introduced to a few new techniques which were explained well. Enjoy!

5 comments about Alabama Stitch Book: Projects and Stories Celebrating Hand-Sewing, Quilting and Embroidery for Contemporary Sustainable Style.

1. I absolutely LOVE this book! The concept of taking something and remaking it is so practical. I like that there are patterns in the back of the book. The descriptions of "how to" are well written. Great pictures. I was so inspired that I went to the author's website and blog for further study! If you like handsewing and embroidery work (although machine sewing is an option, you will enjoy this book.



2. What a fabulous, fabulous book. Even though the reviews are all so good, I was not prepared to be blown away by this book. It is gorgeous. And even though I had looked at the cover, I still didn't expect something so cool. I hadn't ordered it originally because I had the vague impression it was mainly about quilting - a craft that looks pretty but has never appealed to me - it's probably a culture thing, you have to be American to like it. Like cupcakes, knitted or otherwise... Anyway. This is the ultimate book for the 21st century recycler /crafter. It puts all the other deconstruction - recycling - wannabe hipster books in the shade. The projects are adorable, I want to make them all. The instructions and special tips are clear and detailed, and although I've been sewing for years, I have already picked up a few tips. There are templates, patterns and even recipes. The photography and layout is beautiful - artistic AND clear, which is not always the case!



3. I checked this book out on a whim from our library and promptly fell in love with it even though I'm not much of a seamstress. I love the author's use of lots of different techniques in varying combinations. I've never seen anything quite like the design choices and techniques used in this book. My only complaint: the clothing pattern sizes are limited. Normally I find it insulting when a designer ignores anyone over a size 14 but this book was so full of inspiration that I let that slide in the hope that I can adapt for my slightly fuller figure. Even if I never make a single project in this book I know I'll spend many hours soaking up the colors and textures.



4. I stumbled upon this book, not at all familiar with Natalie Chanin or her work. The gorgeous photography and the style of the projects convinced me to buy it. I'm glad I did because I've enjoyed it tremendously. From the history of cotton to the down home recipes to the clearly written patterns, this book is a treat for the reader. It is inspiring and inspired. The work is lovely and most important - doable for the average stitcher. No machine required, no special skills required, just the basic stitches and the willingness to craft something by hand. I'm so glad I found this so I can craft some gifts for my family that are lovely and infinitely practical.



5. I bought this book on a whim a few months back, admired the photos, and then stuck it on the shelf and sort of forgot I had it. I took it out again a couple of weeks ago and decided to try one of the simpler projects - a reverse appliqued book cover. I'm hooked! The instructions were clear, the results were beautiful, and the book itself is inspiring. Since that book cover, I've made myself 2 t-shirts, a beaded headband, and have started another t-shirt and a skirt. Nothing has been difficult to do, and the simpler projects can be finished in just a few hours. The finished items are really striking, and look like you must have spent a fortune in some little boutique.

5 comments about Doodle Stitching: Fresh & Fun Embroidery for Beginners.

1. I bought this book, thinking it was connected to Jenny Hart and Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To. Much to my amazement - actually, just now, more or less - they are not. But the styles are very, VERY similar. The main difference is that in this book, you will get mostly craft ideas and some designs. In Sublime Stitching you'll get mostly designs (iron-on). Both are geared towards beginners - and both have very lengthy introductions into the basic steps and stitches.
   
   While I'm now very startled that I did not in fact buy a Jenny Hart title, I am very pleased to have found a new embroidery sensei to follow in Aimee Ray.
   
   One last note: the model used in the book is attractive, but has the weirdest pseudo-smile that unnerves me. Be on your guard. The crafts are worth it, though.



2. I've purchased many craft books, only to return immediately because the cover/description were completely misleading, but this is not one. Clear pictures and descriptions, and I love that it provides instructions not only for the embroidery, but sewing the projects as well.



3. I have been greatly inspired by Aimee Ray's embroidery. Picking up this book was great because I was able to get a good idea of stitches and see some wonderful project ideas. I had never embroidered before I had seen her work, so I can vouch for this being a great source for a beginner. Some customers complain that some items lack patterns, and while this is true they are available on the author's etsy page. I saw those as an example of what works using stitches taught could turn out like. The nature of the works Aimee Ray is exhibiting in her book is just like the title, doodle-stitching. I don't see it as wanting the readers to necessarily copy each thing from the book, but inciting them to be creative.
   
   Even though transfer methods are discussed, which is greatly beneficial, depending on one's resources it can be rather difficult. If there are no other resources (copier or a light box), I would recommend having carbon paper on hand. Tracing paper may also be very useful, but a transfer pen or pencil would also be necessary.



4. This is a great beginner embroidery book. The directions are easy to follow and each project had good pictures. The print is also large enough to read easily, which isn't true of many craft books. I'm very happy with my purchase.



5. I have been in search for a book like this for years, honestly. There are very little options for cute, casual embroidery out there and this one has several patterns that can be used on much more than the depicted use. One reviewer noted that there are several pages that have patterns not included in the book. I agree, this is disappointing but you can find a couple of these patterns on the author's etsy page ([...]) and she will send them to you as a PDF. The step by step instructions are so thorough that even an embroidered quilt doesn't seem daunting and I'm actually excited about putting it all together. That's a first. I gave 4 stars instead of 5 because I was a little disappointed in the actual projects - I'd love to have seen more projects like placemats and tablecloths, baby onesies and bibs... things like that. Otherwise, this book is very exciting. Highly recommended for the thorough details that make the prospect easy, plus the complete guide to the stitches - excellent for a beginner!