Nov 09
Just like it says on the cover, this book contains no less than a thousand cross-stitch motifs. They are in full color, and handily grouped into themes for ease of use. Choose from geometrics, nature, celebrations, historical subjects, alphabets and more all shown as if actually stitched on an Aida background. There are motifs, borders and corners in each subject area so you will never perhaps be short of the right picture for your project. In true Search Press style, you have plenty of useful advice on cross stitching before the motifs appear. How to work the stitches for the beginner, starting and finishing off, what you need to buy in order to take up the hobby and even how to care for your work. There is even a guide on how to use the book, making it both a handy resource for experienced stitchers and suitable for the complete beginner. Just add some Aida, needles and some skeins of floss for a great gift.
* Myshelf.com *
Dec 09
Every machine knitter needs this book because there are 250 pages packed with every pattern and motif we'll ever need to make up our own designs. It's a rich source of ideas for cross stitchers, but also an invaluable book for machine knitters of all abilities. The collection is shown as easy to follow colour charts and the pattern library is divided into 11 different themes. Details of motif sizes (such as 8h x 6w) are given at the end of the library, so we can easily see which patterns are best suited to either punchcard or electronic knitting.
* Machine Knitting Monthly *
Summer 10
For a complete beginner to cross stitch this is a very good reference book. The techniques section is very comprehensive including design tips, looking after your finished work, different stitches etc. There are plenty of actual charts of small motifs divided into categories such as Flowers, History, Cultures, Natural World and the inevitable Alphabet and Numbers, and more. Every motif is given a height and width size on a tpi basis which saves the embroiderer manually counting, and there is a thread conversion chart for Anchor and DMC threads. Overall a very handy little book for cross stitchers. (Sheila Rabbetts)
* West Country Embroiderers *
