Stitching Pretty: 101 Lovely Cross-Stitch Projects to Make (Better Homes and Gardens) [Paperback]

Better Homes and Gardens Books (Author), Carol Dahlstrom (Editor)

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: Better Homes and Gardens (March 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 069621427X
• ISBN-13: 978-0696214271
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 9.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #978,007 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 10 star winner, January 14, 2003

By 

MotherLodeBeth "MotherLodeBeth" (Sierras of California) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Stitching Pretty: 101 Lovely Cross-Stitch Projects to Make (Better Homes and Gardens) (Paperback)

I admit when I saw the Better Homes and Garden in the title I wrinkled my nose and thought it would be an average, cute book. But I was wrong.

Not only is it a well thought out book with excellent text, photographs and step by step, easy to follow directions but it is a book with ideas for any lifestyle or home decor. My favorites being the rooster on pages 21-23 and the Gloria Sampler on page 29, Mothers Sampler on page 42-43, the various wedding samplers that begin on page 44. I love and am doing the Consider the Lilies piece from pages 78-81 and will soon start the Flower Shop (pages 82-87), and the Family Tree from pages 141-145, which anybody interested in genealogy would love.

I am so glad I bought this book and the Amazon.com price is wonderful !!![...]

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely Some Pretty Stitching Going On With This Book!!, January 10, 2003

By 

"cassidie" (Bridgeport, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stitching pretty: 101 lovely cross-stitch projects to make (Hardcover)

I don't usually take the time to write reviews, but I had to for this BH&G gem, especially since one hasn't been written as of yet. SOMEone has to let cross stitch fanatics know what they're missing! :)

This book is chock full of gorgeous charts for a variety of topics such as nuptials, love, home, samplers, florals, and hearts, just to name a few. Each one is printed in color and accompanied by clear instructions, as well as a materials and supplies list. In addition, each project has been beautifully stitched and photographed for inspiration.

There's a particular project I consider just one my many favorites, as well as probably the most challenging, called "THE FLOWER SHOP," in which the design is worked on two pieces of fabric and utilizes a combination of several different stitches (besides those of cross stitch) to arrive at a pretty spectacular piece of work. I was both excited, and I must admit, a tad intimidated to try it. If a cross stitch book can arouse this type of reaction out of me, I consider it a definite "keeper" for my library.

"...STITCHING PRETTY..." also contains patterns with instructions for the use of metallic and silk threads, a variety of beads, ribbon, etc. Speaking for myself, I love it when cross stitch books include patterns which call for the use of these items as part of the design, for they only enhance what I am capable of creating with just thread alone.

I happen to adore books with projects dedicated to the different skill levels of counted cross-stitch, especially those geared toward the more experienced stitchers. Very rarely do I see cross stitch books containing patterns for intermediate/advanced stitchers and in my opinion, there should be a lot more of them.

If you're brand new to cross stitching and are just learning the basics, though it DOES include "how-to" illustrations for all of the stitches required to do each project, this book will still probably be a bit too advanced for you. However, if you plan on sticking with it, please purchase the book because I'm sure it will serve as nothing less than an inspiration for you to continue with the craft.

If you're already an intermediate to advanced stitcher, purchasing this book will result in smiles and excitement, as the most troublesome thought you might have is trying to figure out which design you'd like to stitch first!

P.S. Merely just a suggestion...with each chosen pattern, you may want to copy it on a photo copier prior to stitching. It's a very nice quality book and I'm sure you won't want to "age" it prematurely with constant handling. Happy Stitching!! :)

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, April 27, 2004

By 

Julie K (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stitching Pretty: 101 Lovely Cross-Stitch Projects to Make (Better Homes and Gardens) (Paperback)

This book features absolutely gorgeous charts in a nice variety of styles. The best part, to me, was that the charts are flawless - something you can only achieve by stitching each chart to test it, and someone has obviously done that for this book. I just completed the sampler of rows of houses as a gift for my mother-in-law, and it turned out beautiful.

Fair warning: this is not for the beginner cross-stitcher! But if you have advanced beyond the easy kits and want to really create some art, this book is for you.