5 comments about Nine-patch Extravaganza.

1. This is the best written quilt book I have purchased in a long time. Also, it's the first time I've wanted to make one of every pattern. The author's imaginative borders are inspirational. I already bought one for a gift and will be ordering more for other quilting friends. Way to go Ms. L!



2. An excellent book for both beginning & experienced quilters. Each and every quilt in the book has been made from start to finish by the author, this is quite rare. Ms Laquidara is well known for the clarity of her instructions, her borders are downright inspirational. I bought one for myself and just ordered two more for Christmas gifts.
   
   For the lady who wanted to know how to enlarge the quilts - simply add rows horizontally or vertically, or both until desired size is achieved.



3. I just received this book and I am so excited about the patterns! Judy Laquidara has taken the standard nine-patch and made something really special. The instructions are easy to read and I really love how she has given very simple fabric requirements for each quilt.



4. Last night I sat down and read through it. I LOVE the way it is done. One of the best books for directions I have ever seen. I love the quilts too. Lots of good designs to choose from. Great job, Judy ! ! ! I think it is one of the best books out there.



5. Judy L. Laquidara's NINE-PATCH EXTRAVAGANZA provides 12 designs which show how to change a classic patchwork block into a fine full-sized quilt project. With unique color placements, eye-catching borders and instructions easy enough for beginners, this handbook is a top pick for any beginner and many a quilter who already has some nine-patch basics down, but seeks more innovation.

2 comments about 3-D Cross Stitch: More Than 25 Original Designs.

1. This book is a "must have" for your stitchery library. If you want to try something new, these 3-D houses are adorable! I plan on using ALL of the patterns. It has inspired me to design a few of my own. I am going to design a Christmas village for my Christmas tree this year and use metallic threads.



2. Great projects in 3D. Very innovative and easy to understand directions.

1 comments about Glorious Needlepoint.

1. A wonderful book that stimulates the senses. Stretches the imagination to find the design elements and color in our natural surroundings and commonplace objects. Provides instructions, materials needed and graphs for many needlework pieces. Excellent photos showing the practical use of the various finished needlepoint projects. This is a delightful and informative book that even non-stitchers would enjoy. Needlepointers will revel in it

No comments about Dictionary of Canvas Work Stitches (Batsford Embroidery Paperback).

4 comments about Needlepoint Cats.

1. A range of cat designs with a difference. Each cat has character and the backgrounds are superb. If you are a cat lover you will love it although you may be like me and find it hard to decide which one to create first.



2. Julie Hasler has captured the heart of the cat lover. When I look at needlepoint books the first thing I look for is a design of a cat, and to think here is a book with no cutesy cats. Each design reminds one of some cat one has known. The only problem is deciding which to make first. Keep doing more books, Julie Hasler!



3. If you have at least intermediate needlepointing experience, you won't have any problems. However, beginners beware! The instructions for working the tent stitch on page 11 are appallingly incorrect. That aside, the charts are easy to read with a combination of color and symbols. Most of the backgrounds are repeats and would be easy to substitute for each other. The cats themselves are beautiful. Recommended for experienced needleworkers.



4. Cats are notoriously difficult animals to capture in art, and perhaps that is why cat lovers, like me, are so enchanted by a well-drawn picture of one. Having said that, needlepoint versions of cats which really capture their personalities are even more difficult to find. Julie Halser, a British needlepoint and cross stitch designer has managed to give us the treat of beautifully designed cats in her 1998 book, Needlepoint Cats.
   
   Being a cat lover herself, Hasler abses each design on an actual cat. Zoe's Favorite Toy, for example, shows a black and white cat with a toy mouse being held to the ground by one paw. My favorite design of all, Jo Jo, shows a massive grey British shorthair, against a mostly purple patchwork design. Jo Jo looks exactly like one of my cats, even down to the serene face.
   
   Another wonderful aspect of Hasler's designs is her way with backgrounds. No acres of single color backgrounds here; the designs include fields of flowers, a celestial background, Morris-style greenery, stained glass, and oriental rugs.
   
   Designs in many sizes are included here as well from the tops of small trinket boxes to shaped pillows and rugs. One of my favorites is Peeping Tom a small round picture of a cats face. Framed with a wide mat, you can almost imagine this cat is looking through a peephole at you.
   
   The book is clearly planned by a stitcher with exceptionally large, clear color charts, with a color key on the same page. The color numbers are given for the recommended thread. Along with an introductory chapter on basic techniques, there are helpful listings in the back of suppliers and a US/UK glossary to help with "translation."
   
   From start ot finish, this is an outstanding project book.

4 comments about Flowers, Birds, and Unicorns.

1. The designs in this book are wonderful and not difficult to follow, even for a beginner. My only disappointment was that several of the designs in photographs are not charted in the book. I wish she would do another book with some of them. I have made several pieces from this book as gifts.



2. Bahouth's sense of color and composition are outstanding, and her knowledge of the period make the designs not only beautiful but true. Charts are clear, and color numbers are given for both Appleton and Paternayan wool, depending upon what a stitcher has available.

   My one criticism of the book, and the only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars, is that Bahouth includes pictures of finished projects for which she does not provide the charts. This is maddening, because it seems that the one which really grabs you is the one you can't stitch. This is not the only book with this characteristic; reviews of her other books have indicated the same problem.

   Other than that, anyone who enjoy medieval design and would like to create rich, beautiful pieces should consider adding this book to the library.




3. If you love to do needlepoint, this is a wonderful book to have. I've done several projects using DMC wool, and they all turned out beautifully. I always work on 10 point penelope (double thread) brown canvas, just because I find it turns out so nicely.

   If you've never done needlepoint before, I think it's one of the easiest of the needle crafts, it just takes a bit of practice to master. I find working from a book like this one much better than a kit, because you can choose your fabric and wool, and you don't have to worry about a slightly off set pattern printed on the canvas. Though if you're a beginner, you may want to start with a simple kit to get the hang of it. This book does have a how-to section that discusses technique, materials and how to finish each project.

   Most of the patterns in this book are based on medieval tapestries. I did the lion and the unicorn, making both into pillows that look beautiful together on my couch. They work wonders on adding a touch of elegance to any room. One issue I had about this book is that it shows a lot of projects that it doesn't have patterns for, and I haven't yet found those patterns, though I've seen kits. For instance, there are really neat little Zodiac patterns, but only four signs of the Zodiac signs are included.

   My only other complaint is the mottled colors used in the patterns made it hard to distinguish between two of the colors on one pattern, but the projects are beautiful, and this wasn't a general problem throughout the book.

   Getting supplies for needlepoint can also be difficult. There is a conversion chart in the back, however, that works well. I used DMC wool rather than the Appleton that was suggested, since it was all I could get. Though there were a few instances of colors no longer existing or being too close a match to another color in the pattern, it was easy enough to substitute.

   I have several books of needlepoint patterns, and this one is by far my favorite. Some other good needlepoint books with patterns are "Graham Rust's Needlepoint Designs," "The Ehrman Needlepoint Book" and "Beth Russell's William Morris Needlepoint."




4. This hardcover book is remarkably well put-together, looking almost like a coffee-table book and not a pattern omnibus at all. Inside there are lush patterns with flavor text about how the author thought up the project and historical notes about why she chose this or that positioning or border.
   
   The patterns are simple and easy to make, though it does make me crazy that the author doesn't include patterns for all pieces depicted -- I wonder if these were included as teasers to make readers seek and purchase additional patterns. Many of these neglected patterns were ones I'd dearly love to make, but there's lots of other stuff here for embroiderers. The lion tapestry, in particular, is graceful and looks genuine for its period, and I adore her unicorn even if what she came out with as a pattern bears next to no relation to the "inspiration" she says she used. Her fleur-de-lys pattern, as well, is magnificent and would make a splendid seat cushion (a project which she actually recommends), floor mat, or hanging -- definitely suggest to readers.
   
   Overall I'm very happy I got this book and would recommend it, especially as a gift, for any embroiderer, especially for those who enjoy fantasy or medieval-style patterns.

3 comments about Needlework Antique Flowers.

1. Beautiful charted flowers, a very worthy successor to "Decorative Victorian Needlework". Book is organized by the seasons. A sampler for each season and several floral designs for each season. Informative, detailed, a conversion chart for the different brand needlepoint wools, and instructions on the preferred needlepoint stitch for working E. Bradley's designs. Plus, the delightful surprises in E. Bradley's books, in this one you must see the Plum Pudding chart. What a delightful Christmas gift a plum pudding ornament would be.



2. I love this book! I have about 19 needlepoint books, but this is the one I go back to again and again. For those of you who have only worked with kits and lusted after the VERY EXPENSIVE Elizabeth Bradley kits, this is the way to go. If you are a cross-stitcher, the added plus is that Bradley advocates a cross-stitch because it makes the cushions more durable, it doesn't distort the canvas, and it's what many Victorian needleworkers did.

   Elizabeth Bradley patterns are great to take with you on holidays, because you don't need a frame (as long as you use cross-stitch). The colors are beautiful, soft "Antique" English colors. Many of the patterns have a striking black background, and she gives guidance regarding color substitutions (both the sage green and pale blue work well). I've done a number of the patterns, and whenever I'm making a gift I do something from this book.

   As the title suggests, the patterns are floral but there is a great deal of variety from striking lilies to Victorian wreaths.




3. Elizabeth Bradley designs are still very popular. This books includes a few designs that cost $200.00 in kits each, plus a few that are not available as kits. Very good!

No comments about Designer Needlepoint: 25 Exclusive Designs from the Royal School of Needlework to Kaffe Fassett and Susan Duckworth.

No comments about Kaffe Fassett's Glorious Inspiration for Needlepoint and Knitting.

2 comments about Very Easy Crazy Patchwork.

1. My daughter asked for this book after taking it out at the library, feels it is comprehensive and helpful.



2. After checking this book out from the library, I knew I had to own it! It has great step-by-step instruction for simple patchwork - "crazy" patchwork, which will take you far and help you complete even precise quilting projects once you master it. My favorite part is the section on embroidery stitches. It helps take a simple patchwork piece or sewn project and make it truly beautiful and unique!