Customer Reviews

Oriental Cross Stitch: Over 30 Exquisite Designs

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

 

 

I've been cross-stitching for over ten years, and I have a fondness for oriental cross-stitches, so I'm difficult to impress after doing the large Dimensions Gold Collection cross-stitches. For advanced stitchers, I recommend those kits. For this book, I was not too impressed. The patterns are not as detailed in this one, and the small things, such as the hands and eyes on the people, are not as defined. The smaller patterns are too simplistic, and small does not have to mean it's simplistic. If you want a decent cross-stitch book on this subject area, I would recommend A Cross Stitcher's Oriental Odysseyover this one. I've done one large and one small cross-stitch from it already and am currently working on another large one. If you want a simpler book of patterns for an intermedaite stitcher, then I would recommend the book. For more advanced stitchers, invest your money in the other book.

I love to cross stitch and my house decor is Asian. Therefore, I purchased this book to stitch designs for my own home. The book was not available to preview on amazon.com nor did an internet search offer pictures of patterns inside the book, only those on the cover. Therefore, I had to rely on posted reviews in order to determine my choice to purchase this book. I bought it mainly because reviews claimed it would go very well with the patterns in "A Cross Stitcher's Oriental Odyssey" by Joan Elliott and I had just ordered her book. I feel the book's patterns were done at too simple of a level for myself, but I loved many of the designs and therefore I will be editing them slightly to give them a finer finish.

The designs in "Oriental Cross Stitch" are for the beginning to intermediate stitcher. None of the designs are incredibly large or overly challenging. The patterns do not appear to contain difficult stitches and some even go to the point of replacing French Knots with Mill Hill Seed beads. There are three quarter and quarter stitches in key places, but very few compared with how many there could have been. Many of the full stitches do not match up to the backstitching, leaving white spaces, or hang over the outlines leaving uneven edges. Therefore, I would highly suggest that intermediate and advanced stitchers add three quarter and/or quarter stitches to smooth out the patterns for a finer finish.

The book contains a variety of patterns, all of which are shown stitched in a color photo, charted in a color pattern, and typically displayed in finished projects. Each pattern can be used in its entirety or parts of the pattern can be stitched alone to create smaller projects. The patterns in the book are as follows:
1. Fan and Lantern Picture - Border with boxed sections in the middle that contain fans, lanterns, and birds. I think the birds are rather cute and will be stitching them.
2. Peacock and Peonies - Peacock is perched on a peony branch. You do not see the full tail as it drapes out of frame.
3. Peony Flower - Small peony design in gold and peach tones.
4. Peacock Eye - Small design of the peacock eye (what is on its feathers) surrounded in gold curls.
5. Peony Geisha - First one pictured on the cover. Medium sized design of a geisha with a fan and peony in front. I love her face especially her pursed lips and her kanzashi (hair things). Her picture on the cover really sold me the book.
6. Iris Geisha - Second on the cover. Medium sized design of a geisha under an outer robe and looking at irises. The pattern needs a little editing in my opinion, but she is worth it.
7. Chrysanthemum Geisha - Third on the cover. Medium sized design of a geisha holding a fan and flowers in front. I love how her robe curves upward in the legs and the layers of kimono showing in her sleeves. The pattern needs a little editing in my opinion, but she is worth it.
8. Floral cards - small flower patterns taken from the geisha patterns: peony, iris, & chrysanthemum.
9. Oriental Landscapes - Blue and white only patterns of a palace, birds, bridge, and lake with fisherman.
10. Mandarin Ducks - These ducks are artistic, not realistic, and are swimming with maple leaves in an Asian water pattern.
11. Samurai Warrior - Samurai standing with swords and fan. There is a tiny crane in the sky that is unnecessary. His kimono has maple leaves. He was the pleasant surprise for me in this book.
12. Oriental blooms - Small artistic designs of these flowers: hydrangea, oriental poppy, magnolia? (looks more like a tulip tree), orchid, bellflower, peony, morning glory, iris, and camellia. They are small patterns but very pretty. (I do not know why thy skipped certain flowers like cherry blossoms or plum blossoms as they are are very traditional Japanese flowers.)
13. Wedding Cranes - Wedding album cover; the design is mostly outlining of a border and two cranes. There is a kanji/Chinese symbol for double happiness in the center.
14. Pagoda - Pagoda covered with butterfly, birds, dragonflies, fish, fans, bamboo, and balloon flowers.
13. Bamboo Motifs - fan, bamboo, leaves designed to create a linen set.
14. Oriental Beauty - Geisha looking away, holding a fan, and wisteria border. Design matches the one of the samurai. The butterfly and white flowers on the grass are not important to the piece and can be edited out. She was the other pleasant surprise for me in this book.
15. Blossoms and Butterflies - This design is for a small bell pull or hanging. The overall design is not balanced, but the elements in it can be used in other projects.

The book also includes introductions for each pattern describing a bit about Asian designs and culture. There is an index and table of contents for easy searching. The end of the book contains detailed instructions on how to stitch and finish projects.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Asian designs and cross stitching, but I would caution that this book is not for advanced stitchers. If you want three quarter stitches, quarter stitches, or specialty stitches, then these designs are not for you unless you like to edit patterns. I love to edit patterns and love Asian designs, so this book worked for me.

Until my next review,
Enjoy your stitching!

Good designs but wish there was more in it. Good variety of ideas and items to make instead of just a framed cross stitch.

Cross stitchers who like oriental designs should really like this book. They are quicker to work and the results are delightful. Anyone who has worked the oriental ladies in Joan Elliott's Oriental Odyssey will find Lesley Teare's ladies will fit nicely into a display with them. I consider this book a bargain at the price. Pat in Clearwater, Florida

Easy to read charts as they are in color and very pretty oriental pictures to make. I don't think you will be disappointed.Oriental Cross Stitch

Sono rimasta molto soddisfatta dell'acquisto di questo libro. Bei disegni e relativamente facili da eseguire.