Customer Reviews

Sampler Motifs and Symbolism

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

 

 

I believe the review giving this book 5 stars is from a seller. This book does not have over 500 motifs. There is symbolism given for quite a few different motifs but the author does not give examples of them all. She does give you an example of most but not all. When symbolism is given about a motif but no picture shown it is frustrating because there is really no way you can know if what you are picturing in your mind is really like the motif described. I found this to be the downfall of this book. All I wanted was a book containing charted motifs. No projects needed.

This book has been highly recommended on counted thread, historic sampler sites since its publication. As with any dictionary, not all of the entries are illustrated, but there are certainly at least 500 entries detailing symbols found in samplers. There are 135 color charts which are lovely, easy to read, and apparently, in historically inspired colorways. Additionally, the nice binding (hard, glossy boards) and good color reproduction give the book a first class presentation. If your goal is to create your own sampler, you will have to use your imagination for some motifs, as there are not charts for every single one. Many readers will be glad of the reproduction, historic projects which demonstrate how the motifs were used in their original context. This is not an exhaustive presentation of its subject, by any means, but well-researched with a very respectable bibliography and references, considering it is not intended for academics. If you have a long standing interest in sampler history, this book will acquaint you with new aspects of their "language"; if you are just discovering the world of this truly American folk art, you will find plenty to pique your curiosity and set you on the road to a wonderful new hobby.

Goblin Market is one of my favourite poems, and when I found a cross-stitch pattern in a box on the floor of a Toronto craft shop many years ago, entitled Goblin Market, I had to buy it. It was one of the best Samplers I ever created, and one of my treasured framed pieces. I love the poem and I love the pattern. When I was searching for similar patterns, recently, I came across a hard cover book entitled Sampler Motifs and Symbolism, by Patricia Andrle and Lesley Rudnicki. Patricia had designed the Goblin Market pattern that I had treasured, and I ordered the hard cover book, not thinking about what it might contain. The book arrived almost immediately, and was graciously signed by both Patricia Andrle and Lesley Rudnicki, in mint (new) condition, and will be my inspiration for creation of Samplers of my own. It is full of motifs that I can put together to make a creation of my own, and I am grateful to Patricia and Lesley for their efforts and imagination. An excellent source of inspiration for needleworkers and artists alike...