Shay Pendray's Inventive Needlework [Paperback]

Shay Pendray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2004

Author and needlepoint designer, Shay Pendray captures in writing for the first time her award-winning tips and techniques for stitching, from the basics - starting and stopping thread, laying multistranded threads and framing - to embellishing, combining stitches, and new innovative couching techniques. More than just an ordinary needlepoint book - enthusiasts will find answers to questions found nowhere else. Readers will learn how to select composite stitches; new couching techniques and using metallics on canvas and metal threads; combining counted needlepoint stitches and embroidery; and embellishing canvas with silk - there is not a more complete reference on the market that addresses silk - types of silk and when and where to use silks. Suitable for needlepoint stitchers of all skill levels this reference combines full-colour photographs and illustrations to demonstrate each technique.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Shay Pendray, author, teacher, lecturer, and designer, is recognized for her outstanding contributions made to the needle art industry.

Product Details

• Paperback: 142 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications (February 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873494083
• ISBN-13: 978-0873494083
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #508,508 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reference Volume, June 4, 2004

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B. W. Bradley "bwb" (Slidell, LA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shay Pendray's Inventive Needlework (Paperback)

For the serious needleworker, Shay Pendray's Inventive Needlework is a must-have book. Included are discussions on materials and on techniques, clearly drawn diagrams, and excellent color photographs. Examples of various techniques are drawn from both the author's own teaching pieces and from other pieces which have been exhibited at ANG National Seminars. I was particularly excited by the close-up photographs, which show stitching details clearly. (Many of the goldwork photographs were stitched on a black ground) Note that this book is about techniques, and is not a catalog of diagrams for specific stitches - there are many other reference books which fill that purpose.

For needleworkers who are interested in advancing their skills, or who have wished for opportunities to examine advanced-level stitching in detail, the excellent photographs and elaborating text of this book offer a great deal of inspiration.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Beautiful Book in My [very large] Collection, September 11, 2005

By 

HouseDragon (Hawai'i) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shay Pendray's Inventive Needlework (Paperback)

This is "the" book for the serious needleworker. It has the most comprehensive technique instructions of any book, ever, for gold work, painted canvas, and shading; it isn't a cutesy book of simple projects. The illustrations are excellent. The color photos are to die for: closeups of step-by-step work in progress and examples of finished work will enable you to strive for excellence in your own work. This is a teaching book with important information about threads, fabrics, frames, tools, framing up, tips ... the list goes on and on. I can't recommend this book any higher.

44 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected, November 5, 2004

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N. Lane (Louisiana, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shay Pendray's Inventive Needlework (Paperback)

This book does offer insight into shading and goldwork techniques, but has few, if any, practice projects. The pictures are very lovely, but I was led to believe that there would be more patterns to practice on.

If you are looking for a book with projects, minimally practice projects, this book is not the one to buy. No projects, thus no materials and fibers listed, no patterns.

As a non professional needlework enthusiast, I need a head start on any project, because I don't have time to design a project from start to finish; books with projects offer the headstart I think most people in my position need: the hard work is done (which is why we pay for the book) and it is left to the individual needlework enthusiast to tweek it here and there to fit his or her decor/color favorites/personalization, etc. This book does not save any time or give any headstart to any project, which is the reason people pay money to the professional needleworker for their efforts. These efforts have not been made in this book.

I would say a person looking for a book in goldwork or embroidery (shading, with silk or wool) would be much better off buying "A Victorian Floral Alphabet" "Redoutes Finest Flowers in Embroidery"; "The Art of Painting with a Needle"; these books make beautiful, individualized embroidery projects a possibility for those of us who don't have the time to start from scratch.

This book is the equivalent to buying a pair of stamped pillow cases or a tablecloth to embroider, but when you get the pillowcases or tablecloth, they are blank, there is no design stamped on them, and the manufacturer includes instructions on how to embroider them.