May Book Reviews
One Simple Stitch by Helen M Stevens
In this great e-book from Rainbow Disks (for more about Rainbow disk see here) Helen teaches a whole new approach to embroidery. She simplifies embroidery to such an extent that everyone will want to try.
Helen shows you that there is no need to know fancy stitches, or to follow complicated stitch guides, instead you work from a template (which you can print from the
book) and a directional guide and use just ‘one simple stitch’ to make all the stunning projects in this book.
The book includes useful integrated video clips showing Helen demonstrating the techniques used in the book. The benefit of it being an e-book is as well as video guides you can click on the integrated links in the text to take you straight to the relevant section of the book.
To see inside this book please click here.
You can purchase this book from the Rainbow Disks website here. They currently have a special offer one where you get a 15% discount if you buy 2 or more books from their site – use code: 2books at the checkout.
Embroidery 200 Questions Answered by Deena Beverley
Another book in the great 200 questions answered series from Search Press (we reviewed the Patchwork one here). As with the patchwork book this book is a very useful reference guide.
The questions are split down into 17 different categories including how to start, simple stitc
hes, more complex stitches, appliqué techniques and design inspiration.
The answers to the questions as well as giving a comprehensive response also use diagrams and photos to help your understanding. You will also find expert tips and how to guides in the book as well.
This book is good value for money and packed full of useful tips and advice, plus its handy size means you can easily carry it to groups or classes too.
This book can be purchased from the Search Press website here, you can also look inside it here.
Jelly Roll Sampler Quilts by Pam & Nicky Lintott
Another great book by Pam & Nicky Lintott, once more using jelly rolls. As they remind you in the book the beauty of using a jelly roll is you know that the fabrics will be colour co-ordinated. Each of these sampler quilts can be made up with just 1 jelly roll (extra fabric required for sashings and borders).
There are 10 different quilts in the book, shown in 2 different colour ways. Plus there are instructions for 55 different block designs. As always the instructions are well written and they are supported by clear diagrams for piecing and 
cutting.
There is an important techniques guide at the front of the book and a general techniques section at the rear. I think this book would be great for a beginner as you could learn how to make up several different blocks, and a whole sampler quilt with just 1 jelly roll.
This book is published by David & Charles and can be purchased on the RU Craft website here.
Cro
ss Stitch Flowers and Cross Stitch Herbs, Fruit & Flowers by Sophie Helene
I am reviewing these books together as they are both by the same author. The majority of both of these books consist of cross stitch charts with a key showing the thread colours used. Each chart is full page, and in between the charts there are photos of items made using the designs to help inspire you.
There are 50 designs in the Herbs, Fruit & Flowers, each design taking a whole page. The colours in this book are more subtle muted tones of greens, browns reads and yellows. In the Flowers book you often find several designs on each chart (there are over 400 in total in the book) and the designs the
mselves are very colourful and eye catching. There are also several different alphabets in this book too allowing you to personalise your designs.
Both books have a section at the rear with useful tips and advice including a guide to equipment, materials and threads.
To look inside Herbs, Fruit & Flowers please click here, it is published by Search Press and can be bought on their site here.
Cross Stitch Flowers is also published by Search Press and you can view inside here, or purchase it here.
