Customer Reviews

Charted Peasant Designs from Saxon Transylvania (Dover Embroidery, Needlepoint)

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An introduction discusses many origions throughout ethinic groups, religions and countries over hundreds of years. Each plate is numbered with their "probable origin, date and use of pattern." References include: falcons, carnations, peacocks, tree of life, pomegranite, and numerous other plants and animals.

The actual 95 charts are monochrome on 5x5 grid. They are printed as repeating bands on 40 pages. The grid is a little small (can easily be enlarged on a copier), but being black and white makes the charts relatively easy to follow. The charts can be stitched with one color, with shaded floss, or any color combinations you choose.

The front cover motif is a collection of individual bands, a true sample of the contents of this charming Dover publication. This is an inexpensive but pleasing addition to any stitching library.

I absolutely love the patterns in this book. In my opinion this needlework resource is worth far more than I spent on it. It is definitely one of my favorites. I also appreciated the brief, but interesting notes on historical origin of the pieces. The pieces are rather small, but can easily be enlarged on a photocopier. It wouldn't be too difficult to change some of the patterns to blackwork instead of cross stitch. They don't appear to be simple, "one nighters" to complete, but they are absolutely beautiful and worth the time it would take to do some of them. There is also a great variety to choose from and infinite possibilities to present several pieces together. The charts are presented in black and white. Traditionally, the colors of either red-on-white, blue-on-white, or black-on-white were used. But some of the pictures are so clear that you could easily incorporate more colors if you wanted, or use varigated threads for a unique look. There are many motifs and bands incorporating birds, deer, flowers, crosses, and stars. If I could keep only one cross stitch book out of all of the ones that I own, I probably would treasure this one the most.

The internet abounds with free, downloadable peasant cross-stitch designs, and I'm familiar with most of what's available. But if as a result you look at this book and say "ho hum," you don't know what you're missing.

Charted Peasant Designs from Saxon Transylvania is absolutely packed with black and white charts, and the motifs are not just the usual borders and bands, but enchanting huge designs loaded with pageantry. You'll find here peacocks, stags, falconers, knights, gryphons, horses, a whole bestiary of unidentifiable fantastic mythical creatures. The charts are absolutely clear -- not marked with wobbly hand-drawn symbols as many of the vintage English or Danish chart books you'll find.

This book is out of print now, and once the cross-stitch community at large discovers the quality of these designs, the price of a used copy will only go up. Get on the bandwagon while you can, stitcher friends.

This book is an excellent source for motifs to be used in cross stitch. I have also used some for knitting. I wish there were more books of this calibre available.