4 comments about Early American Embroidery Designs: An 1815 Manuscript Album with Over 190 Patterns (Dover Needlework Series).

1. The album containing drawn designs by Elizabeth M. Townshend in 1815 provides a wonderful moment captured in time. The drawings allow the viewer to observe authentic designs drafted by a women during the early nineteenth century. Since there is no background information about the artist, the publisher offers possibilities concerning the uses of the patterns in the book, which helps establish documentation for those readers searching for such. What makes the images so great is knowing they are authentic and unaltered. Many of the designs appear to be for borders on bed linens, petticoats, and waistcoats. The designs are easy to reproduce and appear to be to scale. For those who re-enact the Revolutionary War and look for documentation, you will find what you need in this book.



2. This book has a wide variety of borders suitable for linens and hand towels and for use in hand embroidery. There are a good variety of sizes, shapes, motifs, and density to satisfy many needs. Inking in book dense enough to copy on light weight fabrics, but will require retracing for linen weight fabrics. I would highly recommend this book for the hand embroiderer interested in early American and Victorian embroidery.



3. All of the designs are either borders or small in size but could work fine if enlarged slightly for crewel embroidery. Not very good for goldwork though.



4. I got this book for ideas for machine embroidery. It is an excellent book with designs I can easily translate into a machine embroidery patterns for digitizing. It is a good book with the old fashioned inspiration I needed. Note this book would be great for hand stitches also.

4 comments about All about Machine Arts: Decorative Techniques from A to Z.

1. This is a must-have book for any sewer, quilter, or embroiderer. Every single page is packed with innovative ideas and techniques, each accompanied by a multitude of photos that thoroughly illustrate the processes. I've been a quilter for 15 years, and just started machine embroidering; there were quilting techniques I'd never seen before, and I'm a quilting instructor! They thought of everything and every technique in this book. After just a brief thumb-through of the book my head was spinning with ideas and inspiration! I have well over 400 books in my needlecrafts library, and I can tell already that this is going to be one of my most-referred-to volumes. It's worth 100 times what they're charging for it! I guarantee you'll love it!



2. This book is perfect for anyone who has bought an embroidery machine for the first time. The steps and descriptions in this book are clear an concise and extremely user friendly. This book is useful for any type of machine.



3. I have been sewing for thirty-five years and have a library of books on embroidery, applique, sewing with fleece, etc. This is one of the best I have found. It covers everything from Applique to Zigzag with full color illustrations and excellent advice. I read it cover to cover and then bought a second copy to give to my sister (I wasn't about to part with mine!)



4. LOVE THIS BOOK.
   Very well explained for even a beginner like me.. received in excellent condition and was well packaged. Fast service. would definitely recommend for any sewer.

5 comments about Beginner's Guide to Drawn Thread Embroidery (Beginner's Guide to).

1. This book is a must have for anyone wanting to learn or improve their drawn thread stitching! The author has used clear diagrams and beautiful patterns to demonstrate the different stitch types in this style of needlework. A Must Have!



2. This book is a must for anyone who wants to learn drawn thread. It is easy to use and has some BEAUTIFUL patterns. Definitely worth the money.



3. Wonderful book detailing easy step by step instructions for learning drawn thread emboidery. Great pictures and diagrams. Would recommend this book to anyone wanting to recreate this form of needle art.



4. This book is so much more than it seems. It's a treasure, the images are so neat and beautiful, widely displayed across the page. The tutorials are excellent! Step by step instructions with pictures and graphs...
   It has information on materials, important considerations before stitching, tutorials on the techniques, plus four beautiful projects shown in different color schemes and finishes... Best needlework book I own.



5. You couldn't want more in a book than this little number by Patricia Bage for clarity of method and technique, simple illustrations and nice projects to finish. You will get a true sampling of stitches including 10 techniques in drawn thread alone, 12 in embroidery, how to bead and 4 really pretty samplers to incorporate and learn the techniques through and through. I love that she shows each of the 4 samplers in 2 different color schemes. This allows you to see the potential of personal design that so inspire as to sit right down and begin to stitch. She has included a comprehensive list of fabrics, threads and supplies with photographs of everything that are very close-up and detailed and leave nothing to guess at. You can try your hand at one type of stitching or become truly an expert by finishing one or more of the samplers. What a great find!

2 comments about Embroidery Machine Essentials - Applique Adventures: Companion Project Series: Book 6 (Jeanine Twigg's Companion Project Series).

1. I recomend Jeanine Twiggs Series of books to everyone interested in sewing of any kind. The CD's alone are worth the cost.



2. Embroidery Machine Essentials: Applique Adventures (Jeanine Twigg's Companion Project Series) THIS WHOLE SERIES IS EXCELLENT. EVERY MACHINE EMBROIDERER NEEDS THE WHOLE SERIES.

5 comments about Beginner's Guide to Stumpwork (Beginner's Guide to).

1. Beautiful book with great illustrations. Helpful illustrations for those learning or people who already know but want to verify technique. Projects are a more manageable size for beginners or those who just want a dabble into the technique.



2. I have not even scratched the surface of this new stumpwork hobby, but I have tried learning a lot of new embroidery techniques over the last 10 years. If I have come away with anything from the experience it's how to spot a good beginner's book:).
   
   Students want to feel encouraged to try. Three things are important:
   1. The book must not be so thick that it's overwhelming.
   2. Embroidery instructions are better if there are photos and/or illustrations for every step of the process. The higher their quality, the better a newbie will be able to follow and duplicate techniques (hint: look for full color!).
   3. Projects should be basic and quick to complete.
   
   Kay Dennis has hit the nail on the head with all of these points. The Beginner's Guide to Stumpwork covers just enough technique to give the reader a feel for the craft, really showing just a few of the most common stitches and their variations to get somebody started stumping and needlelacing. The sample projects are quite simple, even a bit primitive in my opinion, but they are presented perfectly for learning and building confidence.
   
   Once you gain some basic practice from this book, I would recommend moving on to the Complete Book of Stumpwork Embroidery by Jane Nicholas for elegant, inspirational designs and a nice bit of background on the history of stumping.
   -Andrea, aka merribelle



3. Cute good starter book. Did not know about this method and just stumbled on it. Great cute ideas.



4. Giving a bad review is not something I care to do, but this is to save anyone else from ordering the book unless this is what they are looking for. I ordered this book instead of a Jane Nicholas book because I was afraid the Nicholas books were too advanced.
   
   I was expecting a book about stumpwork techniques. From page 18 to page 37 there are instructions for basic embroidery techniques such as satin stich, turkey work and bullion and french knots--which almost any embroiderer already knows how to do. Little information is included about padding or wire work--which are the basis of stumpwork. Then the rest of the book is about needlelace--why doesn't the title state such? There is more needlelace than stumpwork in this book.
   
   Additionally, the designs are amateurish, reminding one of the craft books from the 1960's. The colors are not artistically chosen, and variegated threads are used in lieu of using color gradients to create depth and shadow. The embroidery skill demonstrated is not particularly well done either, it is a clumsy but well meaning kitschy effort.
   
   A very disappointing embroidery book that is being returned.



5. The instrucions are quite clear and serves its purpose. Looking forward to do those projects

5 comments about Punchneedle Embroidery: 40 Folk Art Designs.

1. Wonderful book --- I would recommend to anyone who does Punchneedle Embroidery --- Great designs.



2. Excellent book on needle punching. I have already completed two projects and like them very much.
   Well defined book. My hat is off to the artists who designed this one. I would recomment this book
   to any body who wants to do Punchneedle Embroidery.



3. Barbara Kemp has produced a beautiful, informative, and inspiring book of Punchneedle patterns and instruction. After drooling over the photos of completed pieces, the hardest job was choosing which one to start first! But don't skip the Intro and Basics sections, they're well written, beautifully photographed and even the most experienced "puncher" is sure to pick up a tip or two. Really, this book is one of the "Most Excellent" Punchneedle books available. Janice in Niwot



4. This is a fantastic book! It has great instructions and wonderful projects. If you like folk art this is the book for you!



5. Some crafts books have fabulous photos, but when you try to duplicate the projects, you discover that you can't because the author used some over-the-top talented artist type to do the pictured project and you don't have the talent or "secret" resources they had access to, so the book basically becomes a coffee table keepsake of fabulous photos. NOT SO WITH THIS WONDERFUL BOOK!!!! The projects are mouthwatering, for those who love primitive and folk art, and the instructions are easy, clear, and simple!! These authors really want to teach you this craft, and they see to it! I love the discounts I can get purchasing through Amazon.com, but this book is worth its weight in gold!

1 comments about Stumpwork Seasons.

1. This is the best book I've seen (and I have many!) on Stumpwork Techniques. Stitch explanations and pictures are exceptionally well done. I may never want to make a picture study like this, but I have all the instructions to make my own version! I see possibilities for embellishing many things. It just makes your fingers itch to stitch!!

1 comments about Encyclopedia of Embroidery Stitches, Including Crewel.

1. This is a wonderful resource for a new stitcher or one with experience who wants to learn new stitches. The really neat part is that she illustrates the BACK of the stitch as well. This is, I believe, out of print, so grab one while you can.

3 comments about Delightful Quilts in Bloom.

1. The cover of this book is very misleading and does not represent the majority of the patterns that are actually in this book. Most of the patterns are very basic baskets of flowers -- similar to many other patterns already available. I feel I was mislead and will be returning this book.



2. This is an attractive book, but, in my opinion, not a great value. Potential buyers should be advised that this book only contains patterns for one full sized quilt, plus a small project. Also, all the block patterns must be vastly enlarged before they may be used. When I pay this much for a book, I expect full size patterns. It is not convenient, or inexpensive, for me to get to a proper copy machine. For what it's worth, I returned my copy as soon as I saw it's format.



3. A full-size, 12-block quilt, five wallhangings, and a table runner are among the features in this selection of quilting projects that use applique and color patterns to incorporate flowers into quilting. From finishing touches to discussions of quilting tips and techniques for blending styles and flowers, DELIGHTFUL QUILTS IN BLOOM is a special pick for quilters and gardeners alike.

1 comments about Helen M Stevens Embroiderer's Countryside (Helen Stevens' Masterclass Embroidery).

1. Wow. I did not expect so much detail! This book is an excellent resource and study guide for those who are accomplished embroiderers seeking to add flora and fauna to thier work.
   
   Helen Stevens writes so clearly, adding personal opinions and suggestions as she goes, making it seem like a friend is sitting next to you, guiding you along the way. I love her writing style.