November Books Reviews - Part 2

Sew Scandinavian

By Nadja Knab-leers, Stefanie Thomas & Heike Roland

This book is jam packed with projects for the home, with a Scandinavian feel to them.  The projects are bright and colourful with plenty of pinks, blues, greens and reds and lovely Scandinavian prints. 

Projects include bags, slippers, lampshades, soft toys, napkins etc.  I found quite a few of the projects to be decorative items rather than functional such as the garlands, soft toys and hanging hearts but it's little items like these throughout the house that create the overall feel you are looking for.

Each project comes with a materials lists and brief instructions; there are also templates and a full size pattern sheet at the back of the book.  My one criticism would be that the instructions are very brief and there are no diagrams or step-by-step guides.  However, I guess that is the trade off for having so many projects in the one book.  There is a 2 page basic instruction section at the rear of the book with a few useful hints and tips.

Click here to look inside the book.

This book is published by Search Press can be purchased here for £5.99

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Essential Stitch Guides: Crewelwork

by Jacqui McDonald

I have to admit I did not know anything about crewelwork before looking through this book but I now feel very inspired to give it a try.  The book starts off by introducing you to Crewelwork, advising on supplies & equipment needed and telling you about its history.  Did you know the Bayeux Tapestry is in fact the oldest surviving example of Crewelwork?

The majority of the book is then dominated by a guide to the stitches, with clear step by step guidelines and accompanied by photos and tips as to what the stitch is best used for. 

Rather than just give you templates to copy the book aims to inspire you to create your own designs.  After talking you through the different stitches it then gives you advice on building your own design and shows a few examples. 

This book is an excellent reference guide, plus it is spiral bound so can be left open on the page you need so you can easily follow the instructions.  If you are looking for something new to try or would like to know more about crewelwork I would highly recommend it.

Click here to look inside the book.

This book is published by Search Press can be purchased here for £10.99

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Essential Stitch Guides: Blackwork

by Nicky Hogg

Another great book in the Essential Stitch Guide series from Search Press.  This book follows a similar format to the Crewelwork book, an introduction to the history of Blackwork along with details of the materials & equipment needed and how to set up.

You are then guided through the different stitches, again with well written instructions and clear photos to aid you.  The book then takes you through some of the many patterns used in blackwork to give texture to your designs.  It also provides photographic examples of when such patterns could be used.

You are also shown how to break up the patterns easing the colour from black to white to really add another dimension to your work.  As with the previous book this book is spiral bound and is small enough to be carried around.

You can look inside this book by clicking here.

This book is also published by Search Press and can be purchased on their website for £10.99 here.

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Redwork Winter Twitterings by Pearl Louise Krush

Continuing with the needlework theme this seasonal book gives you 8 winter redwork projects, as well as many more designs that could be used in other makes.

It is almost more of a pamphlet than a book being less than 50 pages long (A4) but there are plenty of colourful pictures, diagrams and instructions included.  The first few pages take you through the basics of redwork before launching into the projects which include a quilt, a bag, a pin cushion and an apron amongst others.

The projects have very detailed instructions and diagrams to support you every step of the way.  You could make some great Christmas presents with this book; it makes me feel all Christmassy just looking through it.

This book is published by House of White Birches (in America) but is available to purchase in the UK through the Search Press website here for £6.99