Cross Stitch: The Essential Practical Collection: A comprehensive guide to creative cross stitch, with over 150 gorgeous step-by-step designs in ... style, folk art and contemporary style

by Dorothy Wood

Author Dorothy Wood follows the history of cross stitch throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas, and then amasses 150 highly original, decorative projects. Beginning with the rich motifs of the Celtic and Medieval eras, the book then moves on to the more formal cross stitch styles reminiscent of Victorian England. In the Folk Art section the simple patterns of the Shakers are juxtaposed with the bright ethnic designs of South America, Eastern Europe and Asia, while the Contemporary section highlights the bold modern motifs of the late twentieth century.

Genres: Crafts

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2008

Reviews

[Nicki Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cross Stitch: The Essential Practical Collection is a pleasing book that offers a wide range of different designs and ideas, along with tutorials on different techniques that are handy for beginners. Not all the designs will appeal to everyone, but with such a wide range you're bound to find something that appeals, and many could be adapted for different projects/uses than those shown. The only gripe I have with this book relates to the placement of the patterns and guides. In many cases you'd have to destroy the book's spine and risk loosening pages to get at them properly. I would have liked to have seen them either in a separate section at the back, or even available (perhaps using a code in the book) for online download and printing, for those who wish to keep the book in good condition. But that's just me, and others may not find it an issue.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

What this book excels at is project ideas and tutorials. It is bursting with creative ways to use your cross stitch skills with step-by-step directions for dozens of different items: bags, journal covers, ornaments, napkins, napkin holders, and dozens more. Like the other reviewers, the stitching patterns weren’t to my taste, but I would be surprised if someone could flip through this book without feeling inspired with ways to use cross stitch. Check it out from your library and see for yourself.

[Casey Short · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, clear instructions. Wildly ugly patterns. There was an atrocious angel pillow in there that made my father laugh so hard he cried, so it gets the fourth star for good, clean family fun.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book overall, although most of the patterns weren't to my taste. There were some I liked and I think a lot of people round like these. Good tips for beginners and most of the patterns look easy enough.

My big dislike is the color patterns and the size of the patterns. Color patterns don't copy the best, especially on a black and white copier. As they are in the book, they are a rad small to use, at least for me. Hard to see.

[Kirsty McCracken · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book full of easy instructions, handy tips, and some really pretty patterns - some a little too outdated for even my tastes but some I genuinely want to use at some point in the future (I'm a sucker for a good sampler pattern). Easily a 4* book. And it has French Flaps!!!

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the sampler on pg 172 and the border on pg 173, otherwise the patterns were not my taste.