A Rainbow of Stitches: Embroidery and Cross-Stitch Basics Plus More Than 1,000 Motifs and 80 Project Ideas [Paperback]

Agnes Delage-Calvet (Author), Anne Sohier-Fournel (Author), Muriel Brunet (Author), Francoise Ritz (Author), Frederic Lucano (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 20, 2009

A Rainbow of Stitches is a how-to-stitch guide, a project idea book, and an encyclopedia of motifs, all in one go-to reference. Begin by choosing a motif from this extensive collection, which ranges from elegant alphabets to 1970s-inspired flowers and leaves, from sweet fairies to vintage-chic ladies in classic Dior dresses. The "Get Stitching" section gives you the basics you need to get started, along with an illustrated how-to of the simple stitches that are used to create all of the motifs. Each of the following sections, which are arranged by color–fresh greens, pretty pinks, timeless blues, rich reds, and elegant white and taupe–presents ideas for embroidering motifs in single colors, showing how much can be achieved with just one color of embroidery floss on a plain background. Includes more than eighty beautifully photographed, inspiring ideas for stitched embellishment, from wearables and personal accessories to a variety of decorative items for every room in your home.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

AGNÉS DELAGE-CALVET, ANNE SOHIER-FOURNEL, MURIEL BRUNET, and FRANÇOISE RITZ are lifelong needlearts enthusiasts and experienced teachers of embroidery and other fiber crafts.

FRÉDÉRIC LUCANO is a professional photographer specializing in fashion and home décor.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Potter Craft; Original edition (October 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823014789
• ISBN-13: 978-0823014781
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.9 x 9.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,590 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Motifs but little instruction, January 25, 2010

By 

Alison (Brooklyn, NY, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Rainbow of Stitches: Embroidery and Cross-Stitch Basics Plus More Than 1,000 Motifs and 80 Project Ideas (Paperback)

First off - I think this is a great resource for the experienced crafter. I enjoyed it a lot and will use some of the motifs. However there are numerous pictures of household items - pillowcases, aprons, etc. - shown with cross stitched motifs. No discussion is present on how to do counted work on an uncounted fabric. No mention of stitching over linen and removing the threads, nor of using waste canvas. I think this would not be too helpful for the novice stitcher.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!, January 27, 2010

By 

MidwestMom (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Rainbow of Stitches: Embroidery and Cross-Stitch Basics Plus More Than 1,000 Motifs and 80 Project Ideas (Paperback)

I love this book! I both embroider and cross stitch, and for me this book is like a dream come true. This book is both a cross stitch and embroidery book that is divided into sections based on a single color (green, pink, red, blue, white/taupe). Each section starts off with beautiful photos of project ideas, and is followed by motifs used in those projects as well as others. Each project is worked in a single color thread on a simple background, which makes for a very modern and fun effect. I would say that the ratio of cross stitch to embroidery motifs is fairly even. The motifs are very diverse, some are vintage looking, some are very modern and fun.

Some caveats about this book: the how-to section is very sparse, so if you are new to stitching I would suggest a more comprehensive book from which to learn; there are not any directions for any of the "projects" .. the photos are meant to serve as ideas for projects, rather than full directions. Lastly, the book is not spiral bound, which is something that I really feel all craft books should be.

I gotta say though...I own A LOT of craft books, and this is by far one of my favorites. It reminds me of the beautiful books that you can import from Japan with the high quality paper, and gorgeous photos...that is what this book is like. There really are very few designs in here that I don't like... I really like the majority of them...and there are A LOT.

Really an excellant book!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!, October 24, 2009

By 

E. Perry (Rumford, RI United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Rainbow of Stitches: Embroidery and Cross-Stitch Basics Plus More Than 1,000 Motifs and 80 Project Ideas (Paperback)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! I buy lots of sewing, knitting, and embroidery books and this is by far the best one I've bought in quite a while. The designs are unique and unusual, not the boring, outdated, typical geese, teddy bears, etc. that are usually found in embroidery/cross-stitch books. The designs are whimsical and delightful, I can't wait to get started on them. The photographs are beautiful throughout the book, there are full charts and ideas for stitching on all sorts of things. A very creative, inspiring book. Every page is a delight!