Customer Reviews

Needlepoint Trade Secrets: Great Tips about Organizing, Stitching, Threads, and Materials

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

 

 

In her introduction to Needlepoint Trade Secrets, Janet Perry states, "...even though I've been stitching for over 30 years, I still discover ways to make my stitching better, learn a new stitch, or rediscover something from times past." On her website, www.napaneedlepoint.com, Janet bills herself first and foremost as a teacher. She wrote the original edition of Needlepoint Trade Secrets in the interest of sharing her discoveries.

And does she ever! She offers fantastic tips on everything from where to find design ideas (your favorite lifestyle magazine is a great place to start!), to color choices (a good color wheel is invaluable), to how to finish your completed canvas easily and inexpensively.

As a 30-plus-year stitcher myself, I must admit that the most daunting question I face with a completed canvas is, "OK, now what do I do with this?" Most stitchers will tell you that their UFO pile is as large as it is, due to the expense of finishing. Janet's terrific suggestions include everything from how to beat the high cost of custom framing, to innovative uses for those gorgeous belt canvases.

Although there is a lot in Needlepoint Trade Secrets, her breezy style makes this 119-page book an easy read. Its short, bullet-filled chapters make this a fast read. The revised edition's small size (the original book was 8-1/2 by 11) makes it ideal to keep in your stitching bag.

Do those ever-changing airline rules make you unsure whether or not you'll be able to stitch on a plane? No problem! With Needlepoint Trade Secrets at hand, you can read about our favorite obsession when you're 50,000 feet up. Be sure to have a pen and plenty of Post-Its handy! You'll need them to mark your favorite tips for easy future reference.

Michelle Hufford, Owner

Come to the Point!

[...]

Perry is a gifted teacher and designer and writes an entertaining and educational on-line column, but this book is a waste of money unless you're a beginning needlepointer.

Anyone who has been needlepointing for more than a few months can pick up these tips from fellow stitchers, from their local needlepoint shop and in classes.

And anyone with an ounce of sense can figure out an organizing system that is more efficient and less expensive.

Perry should stick to what she does best!

Some good ideas but not enough to be worth the price of purchasing the book.

The title of this book is very misleading. Are utilizing a paper cup while travelling for ORTs or storing needles in an empty mint tin trade secrets? Pathetic and so not worth the price of the book.

I have no quarrel with the hints contained herein, even if often pedestrian. And, were the material presented as a needlepoint blog, I would expect and forgive a fair number of errors. However, this text is marketed as a book, and its proofreading, if done, was poor indeed.

I have been waiting for months for this second edition to come out, having missed out on the first printing. If you are a needlepointer you will love reading this book! It is fun and easy to read and packed full of great ideas. Keep your highlighter handy!