A Cross Stitcher's Oriental Odyssey

by Joan Elliott

A breathtaking collection of 30 designs around a fashionably Oriental theme. Created by American artist Joan Elliott and skillfully adapted for cross stitch by Design Works for cross stitch. These modern interpretations of classic Oriental images include pictures of fans and ladies in Kimonos, pot lids decorated with bonsai and butterflies; and linen decorated with birds and blossoms.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction

112 pages, Hardcover

First published December 15, 2001

About the author

Joan Elliott is a freelance cross stitch designer with many of her designs published in leading cross stitch magazines, as well as the books listed here.

Her blog is here:
http://joanelliott.wordpress.com/

Her official design site is here:
http://www.joanelliottdesign.com/

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this is of course riddled with orientalism as the title promises, it has a few very charming patterns inside to make up for it, mainly (to my taste) a koi pond edging suitable for bookmarks, and some chickadees in cherry blossoms used on napkins. Also, while it is “oriental” which seems to imply it will mash up something from everyone over in East Asia, it’s actually just straight Japanese motifs. It could have been marketed as Japanese instead of Oriental probably more successful, lots of people love Japanese design specifically.

The random Chinese characters with ying yangs are particularly tacky, I guess they are the grandma version of getting a tribal tattoo.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book. I bought a craft kit of one of the patterns ages ago. Then I borrowed the book from our local library years and years ago and was crushed to return it. I purchased a great used copy off Amazon and am happily stitching away on all kinds of new projects!

[J.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very beautiful and intricate designs, but to be honest the only ones I've ever done were the bookmarks (dragonflies and koi fish) that came out really vibrant and amazing. It's a keeper for those patterns alone!

[Carolyn]

Haven't seen it to rate it yet...

[Gwnhwyfer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say? It's Joan Elliott - I want this book! ;)