1 comments about Four way bargello.

1. This book could be subtitled, "1001 Bargello Surprises," the author teaches the reader all about bargello as geometrics, undulations, florals, feathers, Celtic knots, waves, ribbons, ropes, circles, and pieces that just seem to grow. There are lots of color pictures with lots of color combinations and suggestions. She also has thrown in photos and charming anecdotes that don't seem to relate to the book. That's nitpicking, but, if you ever read this book, you ought to know that you weren't the only one scratching your head after searching the book for ferns, paisleys, and paperweight designs.

1 comments about Embroidery & Cross Stitch (Country Crafts).

1. Very good book with nice illustrations that make you try everything in it

1 comments about Treasures from the Embroiderers' Guild Collection.

1. This isn't a how-to book; it's a photographic tour of breathtaking historical embroidery pieces. Many pieces are featured in close up so you can really see the technique. It's a wonderful source of inspiration. Many photos are full-page and most are in color.

No comments about Charted Christmas Designs for Cross Stitch and Other Needlecrafts (Needlepoint).

1 comments about Strait's Chinese Beadwork and Embroidery.

1. this is a breathtaking, stunningly gorgeous, inspiring book about two aspects of a fascinating culture.
   
   the text is fascinating. the photos are wonderful. given the current level of popularity of beading (and the continuing popularity of embroidery), it is beyond belief that this book is not still in print.
   
   if you are a beader or an embroider or a designer, if you are interested in historical byways, if you just like beautiful things, track down this book.
   
   or, better still, inundate the publisher with demands to re-print.

No comments about The Embroidery of Boutis: Art and Technique of a Provencal Treasure.

3 comments about Miniature Embroidery For The Georgian Dolls' House.

1. This is my first time order the miniature books from here , normally , I read the miniature books from Japanese issue . But after I received the books from here . I changed my mind at all ! Especially this book give me many many wonderful idea to make the quilt , rug , carpet ..etc I love it at all ! Don't miss it ! U will love this book ever !



2. Given that the Regency period (Australian Colonial where I'm from) is my favourite, perhaps my opinion is completely biased. But out of all of Warner's excellent books, this one is my favourite. I believe it has designs of greater variety than her others and they are truly beautiful. They are also versatile - I have items made from this book in all of my houses, which include an 1830s Sydney mansion, an Australian Victorian decorated to the Federation (1900) era, a modern Melbourne townhouse, a San Francisco Victorian with Arts & Crafts interiors and an English Georgian mansion! The projects range from simple crewelwork cushions that will take an hour to gorgeous carpets that may take months to complete.

   Warner uses DMC threads, popular amongst most miniaturists - except for me, and I have found the patterns straightforward to adapt to my preferred Danish Flower Thread, Gumnut Yarn Daisies and DMC Medici, as Warner does not use an enormous colour range of similar hues. She does, however, use enough colours to maintain the detail and give a convincing miniaturisation of full-size items. This also means that most stitchers with limited experience can attempt these patterns assured of turning out a quality piece of needlework. Although sizings are given for fabric of different counts, I have found the carpet designs don't work as well on the 32 (or finer) counts I prefer - the finished carpets end up the size of mats, rather than the area rugs the designs are quite clearly meant to be. So if you are comfortable working in, say, 20, 22 and 24 count, these patterns are perfect for you. The wide variety of projects - curtains, bed and wall hangings, cushions, carpets and footstools are some - means that everyone is bound to find something they feel confident to tackle.




3. With no embroidery experience, I have been able to recreate some beautiful period pieces from this book. We are presented with an excellent range of Georgian items; from firescreens to stair carapets to samplers. They are surprisingly easy to do; just a little time consuming. I urge everyone to abandon any plan to buy a ready made carpet for your dollhouse; creating your own will be so much more satisfying!
   I did have a problem finding the suggested monocanvas (18) in Australia, but substituted 22 with no real problems. Maybe they are a little larger that is strictly authentic, but I am very fussy with my dollhouse and it hasn't bothered me!

No comments about Kaye Pyke's Classic Cushions (A Rathdowne Book).

No comments about The Sampler Workbook: A Practical Source and Record Book for Embroiderers.

4 comments about Teach Yourself Machine Embroidery: Easy Decorative Stitching Using Any Sewing Machine.

1. Proving yet again that you can't judge a book by its cover, this one promises "easy decorative stitching using ANY sewing machine." However, the examples on the cover required programmed stitches...which I don't have on my machine...which is why I ordered this book in the first place. The book seems to provide a well-organized, clear, and thorough explanation of the more pictorial types of machine embroidery, but I was hoping for some ideas about how to do the decorative stitches on the cover on my beloved but very basic machine.



2. For the person that is transitioning from a mechanical to computerized sewing machine, this is a good source book. Clear instructions and diagrams. Wish there were more in color. Nice patterns and lots of projects to try and perfect. Would recommend.



3. Delivery was slow, however, the book was in excellent condition.



4. I began doing machine embroidery more than 20 years ago, before we had the computerized machines and certainly before the current crop of automatic embroidery machines were available. The secret to doing decent freehand embroidery, yes, on ANY machine, is to practice, practice, practice, and then practice some more. I am amazed when I show my work to those new in the interest that they expect to sit down one day and turn out some sort of masterpiece! This is an art form like any other, and it is not mastered in a day, or a year for that matter. We have beautiful examples of machine embroidery done in the 19th century on straight-stitch-only machines, and it can still be done. Personally, I seldom use more than the straight and zigzag stitches on my machines, some of which have decorative stitches by the dozens. This is an entirely different discipline than the new 'automatic' machines which will stitch your design for you. I have no interest in those. In the 70's and 80's there were many excellent books written on freehand embroidery by machine. The best is Robbie Fanning's "Complete Book of Machine Embroidery". You can still buy it used through Amazon's network. It's the best, and at the same time you might want to also order her "Complete Book of Machine Quilting".
   
   I have owned many, many sewing machines, and believe me, you can indeed do machine embroidery on any machine that works!