Customer Reviews

Stumpwork Embroidery: A Collection Of Fruits, Flowers & Insects For Contemporary Raised Embroidery

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

 

 

This is a carefully prepared and beautifully illustrated book. Jane has worked very hard to make the text informative and accurate, and the intructions readily able to be followed. There are many intricate pieces illustrated with photograph, and the instructions are complete, down to the type of needle and the different options possible for threads, beads and other materials. I have used the book and done a class with Jane and would reccomend this book to all interested embroiderers. Lizette Campbell Australia

I've had this book for a year or two now, and it is never far from my chair when I am working on stumpwork. It is a reference book well worth having. The projects are beautiful and creative, and the instructions are very clear. Since the book is written in "Australian" and we speak "American", it can take some sleuthing to figure out what's what, but that only seems to add to the enjoyment.

While living in Australia, I had the opportunity to not only buy this book and use it, but to take the course offered by the author. The explanations are easy to follow and the diagrams extremely well drawn and follow her classes. I saw some of the original pieces that are photographed in the book and they are depicted beautifully. By the way, another reviewer comments that the book needs occasional translating into "American" from "Australian". Her terminology is "English", not Australian. She lives in Austalia, but is from England.

I did my homework, read all the Amazon.com Reviews, read the Product Description and Product Review. NO WHERE DID IT MENTION THE LACK OF COLOR IN THIS BOOK! So then I ordered the book and waited with much anticipation. I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED IN THIS BOOK WHEN IT ARRIVED! I have Jane's Stumpwork: Dragonflies book and it is wonderful, so I expected no less from this book: WRONG! I wanted a book that would add to the Stumpwork books I already have and teach me even more on the subject. There are 19 color plates - MOST are between 2" and 4 1/2" (they make you think they are larger because they are first placed in a circle of soft color and that is placed in a box of off-white color! Two of the plates are of the front and back cover. The front and back cover and the inside of the back and front covers are the MOST COLORFUL THINGS IN THIS WHOLE BOOK!!! You will not see any color in this book until after page 126! On the facing page is the 1st color plate of a Lady Bug. The size of the Lady Bug is 1/2" x 1" (in a box that takes up 1/2 page).

When I buy a book to learn how to embroider a pattern, I expect to see a PICTURE IN COLOR or at the very least, A PICTURE OF WHAT I AM SUPPOSED TO PRODUCE! In every case, there is no picture in color on the page with the instructions, and rarely, a full black & white picture - usually just some black & white sketches. You get recipes and poetry - but that is not why I purchased this book - if I want recipes I'll buy a cookbook!

I rarely buy used books, but I did in this case and believe me, from now on I just may purchase the cheapest used book and if the book is what I expect, then I'll go back & buy a new copy. I don't like feeling cheated - especially when I KNOW the AUTHOR COULD HAVE TAUGHT ME A GREAT DEAL AND OPTED NOT TO DO SO.

This book is simply enchanting. The author's examples are masterpieces, her instructions are very clear. A must buy for a needlework enthusiast.

This is a very inspirational book for stumpwork enthusiasts. I have made many projects from this book, and use it as a cross reference when using other patterns, as Jane's techniques are often easier and give better results. Hopefully for most embroidery enthusiasts it won't prove too difficult to understand as her instructions are very clear and precise. She has alternative lists of materials at the back of the book if you can't find the threads she recommends, and one of the nice things about her books is that she encourages people to take the initiative to be bold and use materials you might find hidden in your sewing box at home.

This book and the companion book Stumpwork Embroidery Designs and Projects have been republished as a single volume! It's title is The Complete book of Stumpwork Embroidery and it is available here on Amazon for about the same price as just one of these books!

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Stumpwork-Embroidery-Milner-Craft/dp/1863513418/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261909860&sr=1-7

I'd give the material in the book a 5 star, the projects are beautiful and the instructions fantastic. The 4 star rating was given because of the confusion. When it was published in two volumes no where on the cover did it say you needed the companion book and people ended up buying the second book and being disappointed because they did not have the first. Then it was republished but didn't clearly state it was a reprint of the two earlier works and has a different cover so people that own the original two volume set would be very disappointed if they bought a new book that was an exact copy of something they already own.

If your thinking of buying this book buy the newer reprint instead. You won't be disappointed and it's a great buy!

This book is very inspiring and has clear directions and notes - a good buy. I think it will be very good for people like me - beginners.

Plenty of basic information about techniques, stitches and supplies. There are coloured photographs of all the projects towards the back of the book. Everything is clearly explained so a beginner would be able to make a start.

I bought this book many years ago and have continuously gone back to it for reference and ideas. With our last tropical storm we had some rain damage and this book was one of them. I honestly couldn't live without it and once the book was discovered ran to Amazon to order a replacement! Yes, I like the book that much. Even if you're just thinking about it, there are so many buying options get the cheap used one if you have to. You won't regret it.