Big Book of Cross-Stitch Design: Over 900 Simple-to-Sew Decorative Motifs [Hardcover]

Editors of Reader's Digest (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2007

Over 900 Simple to sew decorative motifs

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

From humble beginnings, a bunch of crosses--the easiest stitch in the world to conquer--becomes swimming sea horses, a plot of vegetables, even a fool-the-eye Middle Eastern kilim. As always, when editors at Reader's Digest identify a subject to publish, they explore its history, plumb the most popular techniques, then apply those learnings pragmatically. Here, cross-stitching takes on a more artistic bent, starting with the book's layout--big type fonts, step-by-step illustrations with full-color photographs of the projects--and ending with more than 900 designs. What is most unusual in a quantity-driven crafts book is the detail appended to each motif: charts, color photograph, thread key, a size guide, and stitching directions. A good reference--and even better source for inspiration. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Readers Digest (March 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762106735
• ISBN-13: 978-0762106738
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #109,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK--even for a beginner, September 27, 2007

By 

Gini "Tuck'sLady" (Mississippi) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Book of Cross-Stitch Design: Over 900 Simple-to-Sew Decorative Motifs (Hardcover)

I checked this out from the library to get some new ideas for gifts. The designs are gorgeous-- lots of color pictures of each design and how they can be used as gifts. Most of the designs are fairly simple (or quick) even for the beginner, but are also beautiful and well-illustrated.

If you are a beginner, (I'm an intermediate stitcher)get this book! I learned some new stitches I didn't understand how to do. Now I'm going to buy it!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars love it, January 12, 2008

By 

topbook (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Big Book of Cross-Stitch Design: Over 900 Simple-to-Sew Decorative Motifs (Hardcover)

Just beautiful. Im making projects already. Big and little, huge color charts color coded. Huge book, lots to do. I've been cross stitching for 25 years and I can tell you this is a winner.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big and Beautiful, March 15, 2010

By 

Port Wynn "Yankee" (PNW, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Big Book of Cross-Stitch Design: Over 900 Simple-to-Sew Decorative Motifs (Hardcover)

Most of the time when I open a cross stitch book I find some basic instructions, occassional additional stitch instructions, supplies, materials and then a selection of motifs or samplers etc. Usually the chapters cover the types of motifs used in the book or specific pieces of work. Sometimes they go by themes. Many times I find a piece here and there, perhaps several pieces, that I want to make. This book is different. It is exceptional in almost every area. I found myself lingering over most of the pages and wondering which design to do first. The focus is on presentation. Sometimes you see the motifs on pillows, bags, clothing, samplers, table linens etc. Always, the piece is showcased to bring out the best in the design. I found the directions and the charts easy to follow although I would take the book to Kinkos and have the charts enlarged. They are color coded but also symbol coded and that can be hard to read in the smaller print size required to fit the book. This is a beautiful book and very interesting. The choices are novel, not "Ha Ha." The selection is extrordinary. It is a collection of the best of the best and the pieces are simple. The motifs have pizzazz. You don't see these everday. Some are designed with the option of embellishment but you can always leave this out. If you can only afford one cross stitch book and want to do more contemporary work, or use bright and beautiful color get this book. If on the other hand you are looking for a muted book or a single themed book, this is not the one for you. But for most of us this would make a welcome addition to our collections. There is a bit of everything here. It features lots of variety in many categorys. The floral section and the Samplers alone are well worth the price of the book and you get so very much more. It's like openning a package on Christmas morning and finding exactly the right gift inside. However, it is a bit shy on the alphabet choices. Oh well, I guess you can't have everything in one book or we wouldn't buy any others. I'm drawn to the unique Samplers. The are lovely and you can lift the unusual motifs and use them very successfully on their own. So, I like this book very much and I think it will get a great deal of use.