Editorial Review

A superb draftsman with an exquisite eye for detail, Graham Rust creates needlepoint designs that are true works of art. Terrific color photos and full-color charts present 17 projects, including a monkey cushion, a cheetah footstool, a sunflower chair, a seashell rug, a Chinese vases pillow, and a mouse-in-a-teapot tea cozy. Although not meant for the beginner, these designs are so clearly presented that most readers shouldn't require more than intermediate skill and a certain degree of patience. Rust's talent as a watercolorist is manifest on every page, making this book not only a practical guide but a visual treat as well. Read more

Reviews (8)

Think twice before buying this one
This books shows that just because an artist is successful in one genre, it doesn't mean that his designs will work as needlepoint.I think nearly all of the designs in this book are ghastly.The pug dog looks as if it has a goitre.The stone face has a nose that looks like male genitals.
Excellent!
Please do not mind the French bulldog on the cover not being given as a pattern inside. Graham Rust explains the difference between a regular watercolor and interpretation for needlepoint by using this work as an example, which was embroidered from his watercolor, by two experts in five months, using 95 colors.
Lovely Projects
Luckly, I didn't buy this book for the elusive English Bulldog pattern, but for the blue cabbage which is lovely.As an unexpected bonus, I found the sunflower chair back and seat cushion cover which also makes a unique throw.I really appreciated that these patterns were artistic rather than craft-sy (I think we're all pretty tired of those '70's geometric patterns in longstitch).All in all, I'm glad I got the book used for less than $5, but I would probably pay $10-$15 now that I've seen the quality of the designs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art Needlework    2. Canvas embroidery    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Needlepoint    7. Needlework - General    8. Needlework - Needlepoint    9. Patterns    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Needlepoint    11. Textile arts   

Reviews (5)

Beautiful Bargello, the flame stitch
I have plied a needle for many years and bought this book in hope of adding to my skills.The patterns are clear and easy to follow with less eyestrain than with just black and white charts.I usually work in miniature and much to my delight found this technique to be very adaptable.I then went in search of other publications for bargello and although I found several none of them lived up to my expectations after viewing and using the information in this publication.Hopefully Joyce Petschek and her editors have another book in the works.

Beautiful Bargello
Gorgeous photography and a very artistic author make this book a joy to own for any needlework enthusiast.I plan on making several of these cushions for my living room and have already completed 2 of them. Beautiful Bargello
Gorgeous photography and a very artistic author make this book a joy to own for any needlework enthusiast.I plan on making several of these cushions for my living room and have already completed 2 of them.Read more

Subjects:  1. Canvas embroidery    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Needlework - Needlepoint    6. Patterns    7. Needlepoint   

Reviews (1)

101 Needlepoint Stitches and How to Use Them
This is a great and easy to use book by the extremely knowledgable needleworker, Hope Hanley. This softcover book provides detailed information for the beginning and advanced needlepointer on a wide varietyof stitches. Of special interestis a four page reference section wherestitches are listed according to their use as a background, filling,detail, quick to stitch, slow to stitch and best canvas. If you are lookingfor a great, inexpensive and user friendly guide to needlepoint, this isit! I highly recommend this book to the new needlepointer and theexperienced stitcher as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Canvas embroidery    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Needlework - Needlepoint    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Needlework    7. Needlepoint   

Reviews (4)

Beautiful patterns, beautiful book.
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.
My Favorite Book of Needlepoint Patterns
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. Excellent source of medieval designs; knowledgeable designer
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 andPaternayan wool, depending upon what a stitcher has available.Read more

Subjects:  1. Art Needlework    2. Art, Medieval    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Decoration and ornament, Medie    6. Decoration and ornament, Medieval    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Needlework    9. Needlework - Needlepoint    10. Patterns    11. Themes, motives    12. Art / Design / Decorative   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. General    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Quilts & Quilting    6. Sewing    7. Needlepoint   

Editorial Review

Inspired by the carpets and textiles of Asia, Africa, and the Americas,Read more

Reviews (4)

Great graphics!
Must add my praise for this book. Gorgeous colors in clear graphic designs plus various colorways so you can see what would happen if you use different colors. I get a feeling of generosity from the authors who obviusly love their craft and want to share it.

My favorite needlework book!
In addition to bold and unusual patterns, Mary Norden has an extremely good eye for colors. I use patterns and parts of patterns from this book all the time.

Not your grandmother's needlepoint
This book brings the beauty of the various international fabrics toyour needlepoint canvas. It's not your grandmother's needlepoint - no cats or flowers, just bold and exciting designs with great color graphs and ideas.I highly recommend this book - I even ordered a copy for my sister althoughit was out-of-print. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Architecture    3. Asia    4. Blank Books/Journals    5. Canvas embroidery    6. Needlework - Needlepoint    7. Patterns    8. Textile design   

Reviews (3)

Most Beautiful Book in My [very large] Collection
This is "the" book for the serious needleworker. It has the most comprehensive technique instructions of any book, ever, for gold work, painted canvas, and shading; it isn't a cutesy book of simple projects. The illustrations are excellent. The color photos are to die for: closeups of step-by-step work in progress and examples of finished work will enable you to strive for excellence in your own work.This is a teaching book with important information about threads, fabrics, frames, tools, framing up, tips ... the list goes on and on.I can't recommend this book any higher.

Not what I expected
This book does offer insight into shading and goldwork techniques, but has few, if any, practice projects.The pictures are very lovely, but I was led to believe that there would be more patterns to practice on.
Excellent Reference Volume
For the serious needleworker, Shay Pendray's Inventive Needlework is a must-have book.Included are discussions on materials and on techniques, clearly drawn diagrams, and excellent color photographs.Examples of various techniques are drawn from both the author's own teaching pieces and from other pieces which have been exhibited at ANG National Seminars.I was particularly excited by the close-up photographs, which show stitching details clearly. (Many of the goldwork photographs were stitched on a black ground)Note that this book is about techniques, and is not a catalog of diagrams for specific stitches - there are many other reference books which fill that purpose.Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques/Collectibles    2. Art Needlework    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. General    6. Needlework - General    7. Needlework - Needlepoint    8. Needlepoint   

Reviews (9)

A must have book
This book is one of the best on the market for Crazy Quilt stitches.It shows not only the traditional stitches but how to combine different stitches to come up with a new design.It is outstanding, I can't say enough praise about it.It is a must have if you crazy quilt.

Amazing collection of beautiful stitches
I love this book. I took out about 10 books from the library and settled on (and bought) this one because the collection is so complete (it's over the top actually). Granted, there are not detailed instructions for each stitch (if there were, it'd have to limit the number of stitches). Also, it is easy to lose yourself in the book -- definitely mark a stitch once you've found it because finding a particular stitch again is challenging. There are so many gorgeous stitches that I did not see anywhere else. If you go through the trouble of making a crazy quilt, you'll want the unique stitches in here.

Singular reference for all types of embroidery
Any needleworker - making a crazy quilt or not - will be amazed at this wonderful book. Ms. Samples has clearly invested a lot of time into her research and has presented us with not onlysolid historical documentation but also with a platform for delving off into new uses and combinations for these glorious stitches. As for the complaints that the book has no specific stitching instructions, that is true, but a beginner embroiderer with a stitch encyclopedia should have little trouble since the stitches are grouped and labelled by their most prominent basic stitch, i.e., "blanket stitch," "feathered chain," etc. The only suggestion for improvement I have is that the text portions be printed in a different font. Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Crazy quilts    4. Embroidery    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Needlework - Embroidery    7. Needlework - Needlepoint    8. Patchwork    9. Patterns    10. Quilts & Quilting    11. Quiltmaking   

Editorial Review

Calling all cat lovers! Prolific needlework designer Julie Hasler combines two of her favorite obsessions to produce a gallery of gorgeous needlepoint patterns depicting cats of many breeds in all their glory. Tabbies, Persians, Siamese, Angoras, and Oriental shorthairs cavort over cushions, door stops, wall hangings, bell pulls, greeting cards, trinket boxes, place mats--even a rug and a Christmas stocking. The beautiful full-color charts and accompanying photos capture the many moods of the feline persuasion at play and at rest, with well-chosen backgrounds to set off their colors, markings, and personalities. All the designs are worked in basic tent stitch, though the high level of detail necessitates some degree of needlework experience. All the grace and charm that makes cats so endearing shines through these striking designs. Read more

Reviews (3)

Cat Lovers' Needlepoint
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.

a must have for the cat lover who needlepoints
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 somecat one has known. The only problem is deciding which to make first.Keepdoing more books, Julie Hasler!

Wonderful Designs for Cat Lovers everywhere
A range of cat designs with a difference. Each cat has character and thebackgrounds are superb. If you are a cat lover you will love it althoughyou may be like me and find it hard to decide which one to create first. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Needlework - Needlepoint    5. Needlepoint   

Reviews (3)

Good book - a few problems
There is no doubt - you can find a ton of stitches here. The written instructions are good, but I found two things that could use improvement. Instructions for more than four hundred needlepoint stitches
In The Complete Needlepoint Guide, experienced needlecraft artist Susan Sturgeon-Roberts provides complete "user friendly" instructions for more than four hundred needlepoint stitches and informative discusses the finer points of canvases, yearns, and other various materials used in creating beautiful works of homespun art. Profusely illustrated with more than five hundred detailed illustrations and six hundred photographs (both black-and-white & color), readers will learn the techniques and processes for designing needlepoint projects, creating perfect stitches, blocking and finishing projects, cleaning and caring for needlework. The Complete Needlepoint Guide is "must" reading for the novice needlecrafter and has a wealth of useful ideas and projects for even the more experienced needlepoint artist.

Great guide for all levels of needlepointers
With more than 400 stitches, this book is one of the largest stitch guides around. It is well-organized and provides clear photographs of the stitches. The author also comments on typical or recommended uses for the various stitches, as well as their durability.Read more

Subjects:  1. Canvas embroidery    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Needlework - Needlepoint    6. Patterns    7. Needlepoint    8. Reference works   

Subjects:  1. Canvas embroidery    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Needlepoint    5. Needlework - General    6. Patterns   

Reviews (5)

Beautiful designs, difficult charts
I'll start by saying that I LOVE Beth Russell's interpretations of Arts and Crafts designs in this book as well as her other two. She's chosen wonderful motifs and arranged them into lovely, unique needlepoint projects. I speak from experience, as I'm now working on my third project from her books, the orange border design shown on the cover of her latest volume, worked on large canvas to make a rug. I highly recommend all three books for lovers of needlepoint, other charted needlework, arts and crafts design, or William Morris. Love the designs, not crazy about the charts
I really like Beth's design's, since they are much more interesting than what you find at craft stores. If you know how much her kits cost you'll teach yourself to read charts. The main problem I have is the charts. She uses alot of similar shades andunlike some authors she doesn't use markings to differentiate them andit can cause a problem. Also it helps to get an Appleton shade card.

Warning!
This is not a new book.Don't be fooled.It was published in 1992, and has been released with a new cover photo.Good as it is, don't buy it twice! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Needlework - Needlepoint    5. Tapestry-making   

Features

• Illustrated

Subjects:  1. Art Needlework    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Needlework - Needlepoint    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Needlepoint    7. Embroidery   

Reviews (12)

The one book you'll need to get going
If you want to learn on your own, this is the book you need.I bought the paper back, took it to the copy place to cut the spine and spiral bind it with clear plastic covers.Now it stays open to the page I'm working from.Her directions are clear for every sitch and they are organized approporiately by type.Charts tell what each stitch is great and poor for.Easy to use without reading; but all beginers and re-starters should thoroughly read the begining to learn the other how-tos of needlepoint.Great for working patterns (painted canvas) or on your own designs.It may be the only book you need.

My copy has gone soft from use!
I own both the first and second editions of this book. Of all the beautiful needlepoint books in my collection, this is the one I go back to over and over. There is information for the beginner as well as advanced stitcher. In eighteen years, I've never picked it up that it didn't learn something new or valuable.

A MUST FOR THE "NEEDLEPOINTER"!
I have loved needlepoint now for over thirty years. Probably one of the greatest things my mother gave me was a beginners needlepoint class when I was eight years old. I basket-weaved away for many, many years. Then, I discovered this book. It took my love for needlepoint to new levels of creativity. There are so many easy to follow directions for stiches that I had never seen before. This book brought out a new and creative aspect to my stiches. From the brand new beginner to the heartend veteran, this book is a must have! I have several other guides in my needlepoint library,yet I always come back to this one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Canvas embroidery    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Needlepoint    6. Needlework - General    7. Needlework - Needlepoint    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Needlework    9. Tapestry-making   

Reviews (3)

Fantastic! Save a fortune
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!

My favorite needlepoint book
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 isthe way to go.If you are a cross-stitcher, the added plus is that Bradleyadvocates a cross-stitch because it makes the cushions more durable, itdoesn't distort the canvas, and it's what many Victorian needleworkersdid. Lovely
Beautiful charted flowers, a very worthy successor to "DecorativeVictorian Needlework". Book is organized by the seasons.A samplerfor each season and several floral designs for each season. Informative,detailed, a conversion chart for the different brand needlepoint wools, andinstructions on the preferred needlepoint stitch for working E. Bradley'sdesigns. Plus, the delightful surprises in E. Bradley's books, in thisone you must see the Plum Pudding chart.What a delightful Christmas gifta plum pudding ornament would be. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decoration and ornament    4. Flowers in art    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Needlework    7. Needlework - Embroidery    8. Needlework - General    9. Needlework - Needlepoint    10. Patterns    11. Plant forms    12. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (3)

One of the best books...
To be honest, I had my doubts about buying a book of patterns without any examples whatsoever. However, I do not regret it, because this is one of the most beautiful and fantastic books on cross stitch I have ever owned. Each pattern consists of 3 or more colors and are clearly charted in color. There are different themes on each chapter (fantasy, oriental, magic etc.). Some of them are quite hard to do, but there are plenty of smaller projects which I am thankful for. I do have to add that a lot of the patterns use quarter stitching, which can get on my nerves after a while. Either way, I think it is a high quality five star book.

Nice Book
This is a nice book. I like Teresa Wentzler designs and decided to get this on a whim. I'm not disappointed. The designs are not too bad. The dragons are beautiful. I'm not thrilled with the mermaids and the nautical themes, but the rest of the book is nice.

A fantastic book for your cross-stitch library
This is a fantastic book for cross-stitch addicts!The book is full of charts for everything from wizards and unicorns to oriental dragons and zodiac motifs.Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Needlework - Cross-Stitch    5. Cross-stitch    6. Needlepoint   

Reviews (3)

My favorite book on needlepoint
I have books by Graham Rust, Candace Bahouth, Kaffe Fassett, Beth Russell among other notable designers in needlepoint and this is the only one that I want to do every design in the book. The charts are easy to read, with symbols in addition to being colored. I wouldn't recommend it for a true beginner, but it is a fantastic book.

Careful - same as hardcover of same name, diff cover
This is a wonderful book, but be careful.It is the same book as the hardcover that Amazon is listing as a great book to get WITH this one.They have the same title, but the cover changed with the paperback.

Exceptional Designs
I am very pleased with this book. The designs are very beautiful and colorful.I have purchased books in the past that did not inspire me to begin a project like this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Needlework - Needlepoint    5. Needlepoint   

Reviews (3)

Lush designs...definitely not for the novice
Bradley's book is filled with beautiful tapestries, a history of needlepoint (or Berlinwork as it was orginally called) and wonderful graphs of the designs.With all of the different shades used in each project, this is definitely not for the novice.One annoyance about the book--she features photos of projects that aren't in the book!However, they are available in the kits she designs and in other books.

awesome,a joy to read
I collect medieval tapestry needlepoint and am always happy to find a book such as this.Unfortunately the copy I found was at the public library so I didn'thave time to do any of the projects before Ihad to return thebook.The projects look absolutely beautiful and the history attached toeach was very interesting.

The charts in this book are a marvel in the use of color.
Elizabeth Bradley has written a masterpiece for the needlepointer who loves beautifully muted colors and traditional English design. As usual, Ms. Bradley begins with an informative introduction giving the history of Victorian canvaswork and then proceeds to give the reader a real feast with her adaptions of historical motifs. Among the choice offerings are The Parrot, The Spring Basket of Flowers, Barley Twists and Cornflowers, Rose and Primula Border, and Patchwork Pieces. The projects are suitable for the intermediate to advanced needlepointer. This is probably one of the premier needlepoint books in print today and should not be missed! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Needlework - General    5. Needlework - Needlepoint    6. GARDENING - OUTDOOR GARDENING   

Subjects:  1. Art Needlework    2. Canvas embroidery    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Dictionaries    6. Embroidery    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Needlework - Needlepoint    9. Needlepoint    10. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (2)

Plastic Canva Santa Surprises
There were pages cut out of this book. Book was NOT complete.

great projects, easy to do
I really enjoyed making some of the projects in this book.They were explained thoroughly, and I had no problems with them.I have friends who don't normally like the crafts that I make, but they want their own now.Iabsolutely recommend this book for great, and easy plastic canvas projectsfor Christmas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Needlework - Needlepoint    3. Seasonal