Customer Reviews

Shay Pendray's Inventive Needlework

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

For people who have watched her Needlearts show on PBS, Shay and her wonderful way with all forms of needlework needs no introduction. For those who haven't let's just say that Shay is one of the nicest and most innovative needleworkers around.

This beautiful book distills much of Shay's wisdom covering Goldwork, painted canvas and shading. Each section is lavishly illustrated with detailed explanations of techniques. I'm not very familiar with Goldwork, stil I found Shay's explanations clear enough so that I would feel confident tackling a beginner's project. There is a charming one, a dove, in the book.

The section on painted canvas has a good overview of threads and
techniques. It includes detailed instructions on techniques which
often aren't covered, stripped threads, using a laying tool, and
properly starting and ending threads. A wonderful part of this
section talks about choosing the right canvas. Further information
covers how to change colors on a painted canvas as well as several
techniques for optically mixing colors.

Following this chapter about painted canvas is a chapter which goes
into depth discussing how three different painted canvas Christmas
stockings were stitched. Several pages are devoted to each canvas
with a picture of the entire canvas as well as close-up pictures of
the details. Even if these three Tapestry Tent designs aren't your
cup of tea, you will find many ideas for using on your own canvases.

The section on shading covers two different techniques to create
realistic shading. While the techniques were developed for surface
embroidery, a part of this section shows how they can be applied to
canvas. In fact, the shaded canvas piece is photographed on the
cover of the book.

The book ends with a gallery of designs. Each of the pieces in the
gallery shows Shay's consummate skill as a designer and stitcher.
They provide much food for inspiration.

While this book is not a book for beginners. Every stitcher will
learn useful information and find plenty of inspiration in this
wonderful book.

this is the first I have heard that Shay is a published author. the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars, is that I haven't seen the inside of the book. I haven't read this book, but I will buy it, even if there were no reviews. Shay has had a show on needlework arts in the tampa bay, fla Area for years. Just to watch a few minutes of her show convinces you beyond a reasonable level, that this lady KNOWS HER STUFF. I would buy this book, especially, because she does ALOT of goldwork on her show-a technique that I didnt know was taught in modern times. I think she studied at the Royal School of needart in England, so......It is an ancient, ancient kind of detailed needlework. Keep up the good work, shay!!!