Customer Reviews

Doodle Stitching: Fresh & Fun Embroidery for Beginners

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've bought a bunch of embroidery books recently, hoping to get into this craft which has always attracted me but never quite hooked me. The best so far was Kristin NIcholas's book, Colourful Stitchery. Very fun. The New Crewel is quite cool too. The others - well, let's just say that most of them are a little dreary. I wasn't crazy over Hip to Stitch, although to give it its due there are a coupld of cute designs there - nor over the Stitch it Kit, although some of the transfers are very cute. Worst of the bunch was Not your mama's stitching... not even one thing that I would like to make... at least the others all have one or two projects I like.

This is different. There are loads of things that inspire me in here. Obviously not everything, but loads - which is quite something. Her colour combinations are lovely, her designs are really fresh - this is such an overused adjective, but it works here. Her instructions are really detailed and clear - she leaves nothing out and takes nothing for granted. All in all, a really cute book which has finally gotten me into embroidery - what fun - I have actually already gotten half way thru a project..... this is a keeper.

I love this book! It's full of really cute (but not too cutesy), basically simple projects that anyone can make with wonderful results. I received it yesterday afternoon and was immediately inspired to get going. By bedtime, I had already made two lovely little projects and will be making more today. Perfect for something to do while relaxing, listening to music, or watching tv. Some of the projects take just a couple of hours or less. Great for little gifts. There are also some bigger projects that I look forward to making, too. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who likes to make fresh, creative, and delightful stuff!

I was a bit disappointed by this book. Everything good mentioned in the other reviews is true: the designs are charming, the color combinations are lovely, the instruction is detailed and clear. However, there are several wonderful finished products shown in the book (including the project featured on the cover) which do not have a pattern anywhere in the book, and of course these are the projects I most admire. Frustrating!

Often when I buy a craft book, I do so thinking that I'll probably never do 99% of the projects in the book- I'm often just inspired by what's in the book instead. Not the case here (though it's still inspiring)! Almost all of the ideas really appealed to me and I can't wait to start working on my favorite projects. The designs are fun and very unique and the ideas are fun as well. It has the usual staples in any embroidery book- ("embroider your towel!" "embroider your pillowcase!") but some things I don't see often- toys, scrapbook covers, and a lap quilt that I can't wait to make on my own.

But beyond just the projects, I was so happy to see a how-to that's actually useful. I'm tired of books with the same drawings over and over again; you'd be surprised at the number of books that don't actually show you a picture of a finished stitch to give you a better idea. The how-to here is detailed with actual photos of the stitch-in-action next to the stitch description. For those of us who taught ourselves how to embroider, it's nice to know what we've been doing and it's also nice to branch out.

This is definitely a great book for crafts, whether you're new to embroidery or whether you've been stitching for a while. I LOVE it!!

I have never done embroidery so I wanted to buy one book that not only would teach me the stitches and get me started with supplies, but would also provide some patterns/ideas to inspire me. This book is perfect. It contains very clear instructions with pictures for the beginners like me, but goes on with some gorgeous/adorable projects that anyone can do (yet look so professional). The baby/wall quilt is worth the book's price alone; it is just amazing.

I am not a person who has to only follow patterns (even though this book is perfect for that type of person) so I was inspired when reading the book that my simple doodles could be rendered in thread. I would never have thought about doing that. So not only does this book inspire you to do the projects (all but a few I plan on doing, and even the ones I won't do right now are still lovely), but it encourages you to go out on your own and create your own works of art.

I only hope that this author eventually puts out a pattern book in addition to this book (this book has wonderful patterns, but I am itching to have more of her gorgeous work in my hot little hands). I have followed some of her work on that popular crafter message board and it is simply outstanding.

I am so happy I invested in this book and especially happy that one little inexpensive book is all I need to start in my new art: Embroidery.

Buy this book for yourself AND a friend. You will not be sorry.

Everything about this book is wonderful. I love the designs and colors! As a beginner, I really apppreciate the demo showing three different results from the same simple pattern. It illustrates how much difference the choice of colors, stiches, and background materials make.

I had no business finding another crafting boook, but DOODLE STITCHING,is really brilliant! I have always been interested in embroidery, but shied away because it looks so time consuming and limited functionality. Plus, most embroidery looks a bit dated - but DOODLE STITCHING is anything but dated. It's fresh and fun and free-spirited. I am inspired to stitch for art's sake. I see that in embroidery a little can go a long way - simple flourishes can add so much.

One of the best features of embroidery is the easy access to materials and it satisfies my love of color! You can doodle on any fabric that you have - clothes, scraps, whatever. The materials are cheap - you could be exceptionally well equipped for under $20! Plus it's easy to cut the threads and start over if mistakes should occur. Ok, I'm kind of excited about this! Bravo, Aimee Ray!

I grew up on counted cross stitch. I loved the meditative little XXXXX patterns I made, but ARGH, what if I don't like DMC 307? Do I really have to follow the pattern? And what if the stupid pattern turns out to be WRONG?!

But oh, embroidery. How do I love thee? Let me STOP counting the ways and just stitch for the joy of stitching! Aimee Ray introduced me to free-form stitching at its best. She gave me the tools and some fun ideas, but if I don't like a split stitch or just don't feel like chain stitching today, I don't have to! The Embroidery Police (*cough* or Mom) won't come knocking down my door!

The book is full of close-up photographs of projects, so it's easy to see how she varied colors and stitches to achieve certain looks. My favorite page is 13 where she shows the same pattern (the bird on the bottom left of the front cover) done three ways to illustrate how different stitches can affect the final product.

My only criticism is that there isn't a discussion on needle size... perhaps I'll discover that I only need one type of needle, but can I really do satin and denim with the same thing? I'm dubious. That said, it's not enough for me to dock this book even half a star. Some folks have complained that the book doesn't contain the instructions/patterns for some of the cute, complete doodle projects she's done. Yes, you can get them from her [...] store, but I think including them in the book would've defeated her purpose - make your own doodles and embroider those instead!

I am very pleased with this book! I have been doing embroidery since I was a kid, so at first, I skipped over the techniques part and read the rest of the book. When I went back to read that section, however, I was surprised to see that the stitches and techniques were explained in a simple, nonthreatening way that would be great to show someone who's interested in learning, so I will keep this in mind as a potential crafty gift.

I think that the style of the patterns offered is very cute, which is why I ordered it, also because I couldn't find many good books about freestyle embroidery, which I love to do. I like that she encourages people to be brave and experiment with their own designs. While I don't think I'd make everything in this book, I've never had a craft book where I've wanted to make everything. I think there is a nice selection of projects, and most of them are small enough to make as quick, heartfelt gifts.

Hand embroidery is growing in popularity, much to my delight. I have done embroidery for almost 20 years and this is probably the most delightful book I've ever found on the subject. The book claims to be for beginners, but I would venture to say it's appropriate for all skill levels. I am taken by the unique designs presented, and inspired to create more of my own based on the designer's concept.
Some have complained that a couple designs shown in the book, namely the cover design, are not included as patterns. I can understand the frustration, but I was not given the impression upon buying it that this was a pattern book, but rather a conceptual book. I was under the impression that the patterns included in the book are meant to be a springboard to inspire the book's users to create their own original works.
I think it's a lovely idea, and I am very pleased to have fresh inspiration.