Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Needlework (Leisure Arts #15861)(Donna Kooler's Series) [Perfect Paperback]

Kooler Design Studio (Author)

Book Description

Series: Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of ... | Publication Date: February 9, 2009

This is the complete, authoritative guide to needlepoint, embroidery, and counted thread work. Experience the full learning process, from the history of needle arts to every detail of how to perform them. Includes 15 projects from renowned designers.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Covering absolutely everything about needlework techniques and history, Encyclopedia of Needlework is comprehensive enough to be valuable for expert and novice alike. Over 40 pages are devoted to needlepoint alone, and with close-up photos of threads, frames, samples and canvas, the options are easy to understand. Practical tips, such as proper use of a magnifier or combining threads from different dye lots, are discussed in a straightforward manner, and author Donna Kooler manages to be authoritative without severity or condescension. Also discussing techniques for embroidery, candlewicking, hardanger, blackwork, pulled thread, counted cross stitch, and silk ribbon embroidery, everyone can find a new style to learn for combining thread and canvas to create unique works of art. Absolute beginners will appreciate the definitions, conversion chart, and painstaking detail taken in every stitch explanation, while advanced needleworkers will be glad to find the stitch index at the end of the book--you'll never get "stuck" in the middle of a new pattern again! Photos accompany the written history of each of these techniques, enabling novices to finally discover the proper name for those unusual pillow covers your granny stitched. Even the most experienced stitchers are sure to uncover a style they haven't experimented with yet, and with each stitch laid out clearly with illustrations, simple instructions, and suggestions for use, you'll be wanting to try them all. Most techniques have a companion pattern or two, so you can start playing with your new knowledge instantly. From a simple needlepoint pillow appropriately named "Glorious Poppy" to the elegant hardanger doily, each project is designed to showcase specific styles and develop your proficiency level as painlessly as possible. --Jill Lightner

About the Author

Leisure Arts is a leading publisher and distributor of “how-to” and lifestyle publications with emphasis on creative crafts, needlework, decorating, and entertaining.  Leisure Arts is located in Little Rock, AR.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Leisure Arts, Inc. (February 9, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574861840
• ISBN-13: 978-1574861846
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 7.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #111,311 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Gardening
  • #68 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Art

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable!, October 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Needlework (Leisure Arts #15861)(Donna Kooler's Series) (Perfect Paperback)

Absolutely beautiful, thorough, well-researched book. There are a lot of needlework encyclopedias out there, but this one gets my vote for the lucid, readable text and the clear photos that illustrate each stitch. The projects that are charted out in the book are lovely, too... they show the kind of quality I have come to expect from anything that has Donna Kooler's name on it.

This is a book that no serious needleworker should be without. Well worth the price, and it's a joy to own.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Needlework, May 30, 2000

By 

L. Grant "quilter" (Vallejo, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Needlework (Leisure Arts #15861)(Donna Kooler's Series) (Perfect Paperback)

This book is one of the best needlework books on the market. The stitch diagrams cover needlepoint, cross stitch and embroidery and includes information on fabric, canvas, fibers and embellishments. I would recommend this book to stitchers of all levels!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN EXCELLENT REFERENCE GUIDE!!, December 20, 2001

By 

"cactuskidd" (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Needlework (Leisure Arts #15861)(Donna Kooler's Series) (Perfect Paperback)

I teach a needlwork program at an arts & crafts store that is a part of a national chain. This book covers everything under the sun and then some. My students love it and the patterns that are included are great.
I highly recommmend this book to anyone who is interested in any type of needlework; it will teach you things you've never even seen before!