The Needleworker's Companion (The Companion Series) [Spiral-bound]

Shay Pendray (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Companion Series | Publication Date: May 1, 2002

Whether as pastime or obsession, needle crafts are enjoyed by millions, and this ultimate guide presents all the tools of the trade. Small, spiral-bound, and sturdy, it fits in a pocket or a needlework bag and stands up on its own for the freedom of busy hands. Within its compact pages, this handbook contains detailed information on everything from picking the proper supplies to fixing the worst mistakes. Techniques include nine separate methods of starting a thread, five ways to end one, six varieties of embroidery, and 16 kinds of stitches. Also included are instructions on embellishing and directions for blocking and finishing.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Pendray, a nationally known needlework teacher and host of the PBS television program Needle Arts Studio with Shay Pendray, has drawn on more than 25 years of experience to compile this handy reference guide for embroiderers. The fifth in Interweave's series of fiber crafts reference manuals, which also address knitters, beaders, weavers, and handspinners, this is the place to look up those everyday needlework facts you still haven't memorized, such as the best way to determine the count of evenweave fabric or how to stitch on waste canvas. Also included in this richly illustrated manual are tables showing which needle size is needed for which embroidery fabric. A section on stitching for the left-handed needleworker would have been a great addition, but this compilation is packed with useful information for beginning to advanced practitioners of the art. Recommended for public libraries.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"An essential stitching guide." -- Sew News

"Have a question about stitching? Keep this book with you at all times to find the answer!" -- The Cross Stitcher

"If you want to know a little about several kinds of needlework, this book would be of help to you." -- Knitting News

"The size is just wonderful to fit into your stitching bag and be handy at all times." -- Needle Pointers

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 112 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931499071
• ISBN-13: 978-1931499071
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,313,945 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another very valuable Companion Series Must Have!, September 8, 2002

By 

Sheri Smith (Spin2Knit in E. Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Needleworker's Companion (The Companion Series) (Spiral-bound)

The Needleworker's Companion is written by one of the foremost authorties in the subject of needlearts, Shay Pendray.
For many years, I have faithfully viewed her needlearts shows on PBS and have many times wished for a reference book to compile all that I have learned and wanted to remember from those shows.Ê
This book is it!Ê It is a must have to tuck into every stitcher's bag.Ê Pendray does an excellent job of answering many questions the reader may have about projects and techniques--whether they be beginner or expert.Ê
I consider myself very experienced in the needlearts.Ê However, reading this excellent book I learned many new bits of information that I possibly might have encountered before... but did not recall.Ê It is nice to have these valuable bits of information handy all in one book in an easy to carry, quick reference.
Whether it be which size needle to use for the current project one is planning, or buying information for the correct thread/yarn purchase for a specific canvas... it can be easily accessed by a quick flip through the well indexed pages of this compact resource.Ê The well-draw stitch index near the end of the book illustrates 37 commonly used stitches and is ideal to have as a quick reference when one does not have the benefit of a larger, more bulky standard stitch reference book.Ê In my humble opinion, the concise black-and-white line drawings accentuate and help to explain the stitches more accurately than some of the color photos I have seen in other stitch dictionaries.
Also included in the Needleworker's Companion is a section on fixing mistakes.Ê Many are common sense, a few are inspirational, and very inventive--the ideas of a very experienced needleworker who has "been there, done that".
Many needleworkers are stymied as to how to finish their projects, once they have finally completed the actual stitchwork, Pendray clearly explains every step from blocking to framing and cleaning in the final chapters of the Needleworker's Companion.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Needleworker's Companion by Shay Pendray, September 2, 2002

By 

Sheri Smith (Spin2Knit in E. Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Needleworker's Companion (The Companion Series) (Spiral-bound)

This tuck-in-your-bag reference book, another excellent book by published by Interweave Press is the newest addition to their Companion series.Ê The Needleworker's Companion is written by one of the foremost authorties in the subject of needlearts, Shay Pendray.

For many years, I have faithfully viewed her needlearts shows on PBS and have many times wished for a reference book to compile all that I have learned and wanted to remember from those shows.Ê

This book is it!Ê It is a must have to tuck into every stitcher's bag.Ê Pendray does an excellent job of answering many questions the reader may have about projects and techniques--whether they be beginner or expert.Ê

I consider myself very experienced in the needlearts.Ê However, reading this excellent book I learned many new bits of information that I possibly might have encountered before... but did not recall.Ê It is nice to have these valuable bits of information handy all in one book in an easy to carry, quick reference.

Whether it be which size needle to use for the current project one is planning, or buying information for the correct thread/yarn purchase for a specific canvas... it can be easily accessed by a quick flip through the well indexed pages of this compact resource.Ê The well-draw stitch index near the end of the book illustrates 37 commonly used stitches and is ideal to have as a quick reference when one does not have the benefit of a larger, more bulky standard stitch reference book.Ê In my humble opinion, the concise black-and-white line drawings accentuate and help to explain the stitches more accurately than some of the color photos I have seen in other stitch dictionaries.

Also included in the Needleworker's Companion is a section on fixing mistakes.Ê Many are common sense, a few are inspirational, and very inventive--the ideas of a very experienced needleworker who has "been there, done that".

Many needleworkers are stymied as to how to finish their projects, once they have finally completed the actual stitchwork, Pendray clearly explains every step from blocking to framing and cleaning in the final chapters of the Needleworker's Companion.

All in all, The Needleworker's Companion by Shay Pendray is one spiral-bound, heavy card stock book that is well worth the retail price.

3.0 out of 5 stars Needs more diagrams, October 8, 2011

By 

Drew Baker (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Needleworker's Companion (The Companion Series) (Spiral-bound)

I would have preferred more diagrams or illustrations of the stitches. It is hard (for me, at least) to figure out how to do some of the stitches just from text at times. I have found other books more useful.

Also, the bookseller from whom I purchased the book (not Amazon) took a long time to deliver it.