Customer Reviews

Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts!: Woolly Embroidery: Crewelwork, Stump Work, Canvas Work, and More!

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

 

 

Ack ack ack. Sorry for the pun in the title, I just couldn't resist. This book was a big disappointment, I'm afraid. The cover looks so hip and fun, so I was expecting more of the same inside, but it's actually very "country crafts" and old-fashioned (NOT in a good way). THE NEW CREWEL is a much better book. There are only 15 projects in this book, which I think is kind of skimpy. I'm vaguely interested in making the pillow (from the cover of the book) and one handbag, but that's it.

The next two books are courtesy of the Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts book series by Chronicle Books. The series includes four books: Amigurumi, Fuzzy Felted Friends, Lacy Crochet and Woolly Embroidery. Since I don't crochet I only have the embroidery and felting books.

The books were originally published in Japanese and have been translated into English. We've all run into badly translated foreign movies, instructions, and websites. These are nothing like that. They have been remarkably well done. The only thing that gives away their foreign nature is the naivete of the text.

Woolly Embroidery begins with 33 pages of color photos of the motifs and projects. This is followed by a guide to wool embroidery, useful tools and materials and thread color charts. There are also clear illustrations for 30 different decorative stitches. I find that particularly useful. The patterns are adorable, some even having a touch of that 1970's crewelwork look that's so popular.

Fuzzy Felted Friends is laid out in the same manner, with about half the book being full color photos of the projects. Several pages of step-by-step photos of the different techniques follow. The instructions for the projects are next and, fortunately, have both metric and standard measurements. It includes projects for wet and dry felting, for both felted animals and pouches/bags, for useful items and purely decorative cuteness.

I would say these books are suited to the crafter who has had some experience.However, they do have projects that are do-able by the beginner with a little bit of patience. I do wish there was a little bit more substance to each of them but $15 for an 80 page softcover book is still fairly reasonable.

I am a Japanese craft enthusiast and I think this book is completely adorable! The designs are fresh and creative and simple enough for a beginning or intermediate stitcher. I would say that the designs are a mix of updated versions of more traditional stitching motifs (flora, leaves, etc.) as well as original designs of birds other critters. If you are looking for something ultra-modern or uber-hip, there are many other books that cater to that. My only complaint is that the book seems a little light on content, but I think it is a very worthy addition to my stitching library.

I have to disagree with the review above. I am only a beginner with embroidery but I think that the designs in the book are lovely and depending on what you embroider them on, could be very modern and stylish. I also don't really have anything against designs that look old fashioned. Old is new again! This one is staying in my library.

I disagree with the designs being "country crafts." I think the designs are quite pretty. But I guess the "trend" nowadays is to be as "hip" as possible in crafts...hence the criticism. I personally admire traditional embroidery (i.e. Jacobean) as well as modern. I think if you are a fan of crewel embroidery you will love this book. Also, I love Japanese embroidery books but they are quite expensive, and then you have to translate the patterns. I feel we are lucky to be getting some of these designs here in the West =) I hope more books like this are published!

I purchased this book with high expectations due to the cover. Unfortunately I was a bit more than disappointed with the content. The cover made it appear that the projects would be more modern but they seem a bit dated. If you can buy this used for five dollars its not a bad purchase, because there are easy to follow instructions for beginners and some of the projects are appealing.

I like this book, but felt it didn't really say anything new about the topic.

This is a very inspiring little book. It's great for beginners and experienced stitchers alike. You are bound to find something you just have to make!! Well worth the money.