Fantastic, Inspirational & Encyclopedic!

books:


	• Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Needlework Donna Kooler Leisure Arts, 2000 - 320 pages average customer review:based on 10 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Great learning book!

I love this book. It is a great book to learn by. Very easy to follow!
I've learned a lot of new stitches with this book!

Great resource

A terrific reference for all kinds of needlework, especially cross stitch and needlepoint. A wonderful book to browse for enjoyment and put to use in your crafting.

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Fantastic, Inspirational & Encyclopedic!

It seems to me that an encyclopedia of needlework is one of those things which sounds like a great idea, but ends up being not very useful in reality -- sort of like a home repair manual when your drain is clogged. But Donna Kooler's brand new book (just appearing on-line and in shops now) is certainly the exception which proves this rule.

I am so excited by this book I hardly know where to begin. Donna and the staff at her design studio are wizards of design and stitching and they have brought their love of needlework and their depth of knowledge onto every page of the book.

Instead of being comprehensive, the book deals with only the three major groupings of needlework: needlepoint, embroidery, and counted thread. Each section is identified by a color and small tabs on the side of every page let you know the major section you are in.

Each of the major sections is dived up into three parts. The first part provides introductory information, history, a breakdown of materials and basic information on the technique. Even if you are an experienced stitcher, don't skip these sections, they are full of great information, wonderful tips and the best and biggest material pictures I've ever seen.

The bulk of each section is given over to a Stitch Gallery, which is wonderful. Each stitch is pictured and has a large chart (two stitches per page). The name and alternate names are given along with a description,stitching instructions and suggested uses. In places where seeing the back is important (for example in the three types of tent stitches) the back is shown. On every diagram a red dot indicates where to being stitching. In addition the stitches are broken up into families so related stitches are found together.

The final part of each section has a small selection of lovely projects to introduce you to the technique. For needlepoint there is a traditional floral, a charming Bargello kimono, and a textured stitch sampler in white.

You have probably heard that many embroidery and counted thread stitches also work for needlepoint, but you may have felt uncertain about stitching them. With this book, especially with the counted thread section you will find lots of exciting ideas you can apply to your needlepoint. The stitches for pulled work, is particularly good.

Not only is this book full of great information, it is beautiful as well. The entire book is designed to be visually appealing as well as very useful. Each page has the section name along the edge of the page as well as the printed tab. Throughout the stitch galleries, a heading at the top of the page tells you the particular technique (bargello, hardanger, edgings, etc.). All the stitched examples are done in a single range of pastel shades and in the pictures the threads are color-coordinated and the accessories are artfully arranged. This makes it a book which will draw new stitchers into our art, largely because it is beautiful and makes needlework look easy and fun.

I am so happy with this book that I'm going to recommend it to everyone in my beginning needlepoint class I'm teaching soon. It may be required reading for the class after that!

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Great Book!

This book is well stocked with information! Many sample projects included as well as a separate guide in the back of the book for all kinds of stitches. Very easy to follow. Invaluable.

Incontournable !

Un livre très bien fait, utile tous les jours...
A acheter absolument

reviews: page 1, 2

Covering absolutely everything about needlework techniques and history, Encyclopedia of Needlework is comprehensive enough to be valuable for expert and novice alike. Over 40 pages are devoted to needlepoint alone, and with close-up photos of threads, frames, samples and canvas, the options are easy to understand. Practical tips, such as proper use of a magnifier or combining threads from different dye lots, are discussed in a straightforward manner, and author Donna Kooler manages to be authoritative without severity or condescension. Also discussing techniques for embroidery, candlewicking, hardanger, blackwork, pulled thread, counted cross stitch, and silk ribbon embroidery, everyone can find a new style to learn for combining thread and canvas to create unique works of art. Absolute beginners will appreciate the definitions, conversion chart, and painstaking detail taken in every stitch explanation, while advanced needleworkers will be glad to find the stitch index at the end of the book--you'll never get "stuck" in the middle of a new pattern again! Photos accompany the written history of each of these techniques, enabling novices to finally discover the proper name for those unusual pillow covers your granny stitched. Even the most experienced stitchers are sure to uncover a style they haven't experimented with yet, and with each stitch laid out clearly with illustrations, simple instructions, and suggestions for use, you'll be wanting to try them all. Most techniques have a companion pattern or two, so you can start playing with your new knowledge instantly. From a simple needlepoint pillow appropriately named "Glorious Poppy" to the elegant hardanger doily, each project is designed to showcase specific styles and develop your proficiency level as painlessly as possible. --Jill Lightner

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