Customer Reviews

Donna Kooler's 555 Cross-Stitch Motifs

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is similar in style to the other "555" cross stitch pattern books by Kooler. While many designs are attractive and eye-catching, Kooler hasn't broken any creative barriers in this book. The use of color is good and there is a variety of designs for novice level to expert. However, the range of designs is more limited in this book as compared to others by this author. I have a large collection of cross stitch books and consider it a good addition. But, this is not the book to buy if you are new to cross stitch or looking for basic designs. This book should be one you'd get to supplement your existing collection.

I think this book has some great, fun wedding, and pet designs. But, if yours like me, no pets at the time and everyone married, a big part of the book is a waste of time. I did like this book because I'm a big fan of Donna Kooler, but I wasn't going crazy with excitment when I saw it. I really liked her book, " For the Young at Heart". Nice addition to your collection, but if money is tight, spend it on another Kooler design book.

Mostly a home and family oriented design book :family, children, pets,etc.
A complementing book to the 555 pattern series, very similar in themes and style. Maybe this book has a bit more sayings than the others. My favorite design in this book was the Safari-style children's alphabet. I do like the Kooler designs but it's time for something new, something more creative.

Donna Kooler's books are often the most colorful, complex and contemporary designs out there. And they are challenging. But this book and a few others are designed for those of us who are not that proficient but still want to create a piece that is unique. There are so very many ideas here that it would be hard not to be creative. These designs are rustic but they are lovely and there are many beautiful, but simple enhancements presented. I think of this as my first step in the Donna Kooler designs books. Motifs include but are not limited to homes (lighthouses to tepees), family members, animals, children's themes, alphabets, borders, flowers, samplers etc.etc.etc. Are there any sophisticated pieces? Yes, a few. But the simple designs allow for the development of increased proficiency with color, motif placement and design organization. Projects can range from a single motif to a combination of many as skills are gained. This book is a wonderful beginners book and can be followed with her 999 Fabulous Cross-Stitch Patterns book. But, don't be fooled into thinking that anything Donna Kooler publishes is simplistic. Donna Kooler designers treat cross-stitch as a fine art. Here we are being presented with the tools and necessary skills first. Just as we had to crawl before we could walk, this is the first step on one joyous journey of cross-stitch.

I'm a big fan of Donna Kooler, and this one wasn't too much of a disappointment. A lot of the patterns call for quarter stitches. Since I usually stitch on vinyl weave, there are several patterns I cannot create because there's too many quarter stitches. With that being said, the patterns are very cute and not too complicated. I'm very pleased with this purchase.

I love to cross-stitch but have always bought kits. I like this book because while there are some cross-stitch pictures, like a family tree or jungle animal and alphabet sampler for a child's room, there is a little bit of everything. Some other reviews say that it is repetitive, but as the first cross-stitch book I bought, I like it.

There are cottages, Victorian houses, cabins, animals (pets, circus, zoo, farm, ocean, woodland), flowers, windmills, lighthouses, and several alphabets. There are some put together in a picture, and some just drawn. The book is in full color.

As a knitter, I was excited too. The designs do well as knit motifs. Go ahead and knit a village or a family around the edge of a sweater or knit a pair of sleeping kitties on a pocket. I also like to put an interesting seed bead onto the needle before the second stroke of the X to add some dimension to the work.

All in all, a good book of good designs.