Customer Reviews

Needlework Antique Flowers

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

 

 

I love this book! I have about 19 needlepoint books, but this is the one I go back to again and again. For those of you who have only worked with kits and lusted after the VERY EXPENSIVE Elizabeth Bradley kits, this is the way to go. If you are a cross-stitcher, the added plus is that Bradley advocates a cross-stitch because it makes the cushions more durable, it doesn't distort the canvas, and it's what many Victorian needleworkers did.

Elizabeth Bradley patterns are great to take with you on holidays, because you don't need a frame (as long as you use cross-stitch). The colors are beautiful, soft "Antique" English colors. Many of the patterns have a striking black background, and she gives guidance regarding color substitutions (both the sage green and pale blue work well). I've done a number of the patterns, and whenever I'm making a gift I do something from this book.

As the title suggests, the patterns are floral but there is a great deal of variety from striking lilies to Victorian wreaths.

Beautiful charted flowers, a very worthy successor to "Decorative Victorian Needlework". Book is organized by the seasons. A sampler for each season and several floral designs for each season. Informative, detailed, a conversion chart for the different brand needlepoint wools, and instructions on the preferred needlepoint stitch for working E. Bradley's designs. Plus, the delightful surprises in E. Bradley's books, in this one you must see the Plum Pudding chart. What a delightful Christmas gift a plum pudding ornament would be.

Elizabeth Bradley designs are still very popular. This books includes a few designs that cost $200.00 in kits each, plus a few that are not available as kits. Very good!

A beautiful collection of Victorian needlework--a little of everything! Floral bouquets, individual flowers, plaids, cherubs, samplers and patchworks. Quite a variety. All vintage, all gorgeous. Not a lot of instructions for the beginner, but lots of photos of completed designs used in creative ways. Ms. Bradley thoughtfully photographs her work done two ways--completed with a light colored background and dark background. The same pattern looks completely different and causes me to be conflicted--I want to make everything in the book (which is simply not practical!)It is divided into designs for all four seasons. A nice book for any needleworkers collection.