Customer Reviews

Stitch Graffiti (Unexpected Cross Stitch)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been waiting for Stitch Graffiti for a while, and I certainly wasn't disappointed! I love Heather Holland-Daly's designs, and if you haven't seen them before, check out her website: www.monsterbubbles.com (and no I'm not getting royalties for talking her up). She uses brilliant colors and eclectic designs, often quoting poetry or music in her peices. Her patterns are funky, youthful, and fresh - without being tacky.

The book has an obligatory cross stitch lesson in the beginning, but further on, she assumes that if you're buying a book about cross stitch you're either going to know a little bit about it or refer back to the guide in the beginning if you don't - she doesn't talk down to the experienced stitcher. The majority of the book is patterns, both small and large, and ideas about where to stitch. Not everything has to go into a frame. Her patterns are relatively simple, but still beautiful. There are a few that could be done in a few hours, and a few that would take me more than a month. She doesn't cram her book with piddly little projects that just take up space!

One of the things I probably appreciated the most in Holland-Daly's book was the DMC conversion on each of her patterns. She uses hand-dyed and threads and cloth (and gives some good advice on how to finish and care for work using these materials) and recommends her favorites for each pattern, but also gives DMC thread "equivalents" for those of us who might not have access to special materials.

This is a very accessible book for the beginning stitcher and a breath of fresh air for the stitcher who's tired of making the same old samplers. Get brave with your cross stitch!

I'll be honest, I ordered this by mistake. I had been looking at a few embroidery books and ditzily clicked on the wrong one.

I'm rather glad I did. The book is put together well, with a nice overview of the basics of cross-stitch before heading into the patterns. Colors and placement are suggested... but the idea seems to be take Heather's initial plans and run with them. Some of the patterns are not in my own taste (frankly, I don't see myself making a cross-stitched flyswatter, but hey, that's just me.) but others will be motifs I'll be using for years (her wind design is already going onto a well loved denim jacket for this spring). In addition to well written directions and clear cut graphs, the book has a ton of unique placement suggestions and even some MP3 playlists to keep you in tune with your stitching.

If you aren't looking for cutesy sampler patterns (there are a few... but she does avoid the old standbys and tries for some new ground) and want to go beyond wall art needlepoint, this is a pretty good place to start. Patches, buttons, and hidden suprises for your favorite old pair of jeans are all supplied.

If you are looking for complicated color patterns however, I'd give it a miss. The author relies more on varigated threads and multi-hued backgrounds to add sparkle to her designs. A good way for begingers to get some extra bang for their buck when first stepping into the cross-stitch world.

Heather is inspiring for a stitcher of any age. Her designs are new and innovative, some small enough to be finished in one sitting. She sees cross stitch in places where no one else has and she opens her mind - and yours - to possibilities. Worth every penny! I have been stitching for over 20 years and just love this book,a new stitcher will, too.

One of the reasons I bought this book was due to the really interesting heart found on the cover as well as the rave reviews this book got. I really ended up loving it! I like the friendly approach that the author has towards stitching and turns it into a fun hobby. Finally a book that strays away from the "perfect" and over done florals. Some of the designs are rather comical and easy to make, but nonetheless still wonderful. All of these designs can easily be taken apart and analyzed so you can turn it into your own. One thing I really didn't like is the color schemes. Many of them I found to be too much and rather hippie-ish. Apart from that, that's nothing that can't be solved as I have a large box of DMC floss. This is great for the beginner, or the advanced who wants to take a break from huge projects we all know will never get finished. I have been stitching for a long time and I am happy that finally (the author) agrees that embroidery hoops are not always the best way to go as I have been stitching without one since the beginning. The charts are full color and easy to follow, and I just love books printed with tons of color. This easily qualifies. This book is pure fun and unique!

Hellen, the author, has been really generous in writing this book to us, people crazy about cross-stitch. She mixes personal experiences and art design to give us the perfect description of each one of her patterns so that you can choose accurately the one you are to stich. I find this book modern and classic at the same time. My children loved the designs on jeans... that was unexpected... for me.

This modern book provides a wonderful overview of stitching. Innovative materials, frameing and patterns make this do it yourself book a treasure trove for the modern stitcher.

I recently got into cross stitch and I wanted to find a book that had patterns that I could use for my friends and not have them feel like their friend was an old woman (I'm in my early 20's) and stumbled across Stitch Graffiti. I ordered and when I got it I was really impressed with it. The book is organized well, written well and easy to understand and the patterns look like so much fun. I can't wait to get started on one of the projects, picking one is going to be hard though cause they are all wonderful.

I'm just getting into cross stitch again. I dabbled a bit when I was a kid... my mom was the real expert, turning out beautiful pieces, sometimes overnight. I'm not to the point of doing some as detailed as hers but I wanted to get started again. This book struck me as something different from the 80's motifs and was much better quality than the other offbeat books I'd seen.

The designs in this book are unique and very customizable. I like the idea of cross stitch used as "tattoos"...to put on shirts, bags, etc. instead of a permanent tattoo on your body. This is a good book to get you started on cross stitch or for old hands who want some new inspiration.

Couldn't have asked for a better stitching book. I was at a point with my stitching that I needed something to keep me going. I am in my early 20s and I kept feeling as though patterns I was finding were too "old". If I worked so hard for something I wanted to show it off in my house. So I finally stumbled upon Stitch Graffiti and it rekindled my love for stitching.

She takes stitching to new lengths I have never thought of using stitching for. I use some of her "tattoos" (smaller designs) to cover up a stain on my going out purse or add a new patch to my library bag.

I have stitched almost every design in this book and when friends come over they compliment how cute it is and where I got it. I tell them I stitched it and they reply that they thought stitching was what grandmas did! She is an amazing designer and a breath of fresh air for us younger stitchers.

The patterns range from beginner to medium. I taught someone to stitch out of her book and they love it.

I cannot wait to find out if she comes out with a new book, I am waiting!

I just received this book today and have already ordered the floss and fabric for two of the designs. The designs are full of lots of great colors, swirls, and uplifting quotes and sayings. There is a section at the beginning of the book describing the materials used for cross stitch and instructions for the beginner. I've been stitching for years, but haven't used hand dyed flosses very much and was happy to see so many in the book so I can start using them now! There are also some really unique finishing ideas which I love because I'm always looking for something new to do with my finished pieces. The author introduces each design by telling us what song she was thinking of when creating it or certain memories that inspired it, which really makes the book fun to read too. I'm very glad I bought this book and I think you will be too.