Customer Reviews

Treasury of Needlecrafts (Better homes and gardens books)

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4 star:		(3)
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This 1982 compilation of previously published home decor crafts from various Better Homes & Gardens magazines includes more projects (100+) than they could individually list in the Table of Contents. The 6 main chapters are:

- Patchwork & Quilting
- Applique
- Crocheting & Knitting
- Needlepoint
- Embroidery
- Rugmaking

A few of the projects are designs recreated from the turn of the 19th century (Embroidered Tablecloth p.340, rendered in a large scale for the hippie era), while most of the projects fall squarely into the 1970s and early 1980s -- the aesthetics of which range from "garishly evocative" (Shisha Stitchery - Embroidered Fish p.392)to "non-offensive enough for use today" (Hardanger Place Mat and Napkin p.376).

The Index is mediocre at best, and rather blandly references individual projects by crafting technique ("Knitting") or item type ("Pillow").

Instructions are well-edited, clear, thorough, and concise, although designating Rows or Rounds could have been typographically distinct (boldface or small caps) for extra readability.

Charts (most require enlarging to actual size) are crisp & superb, in 2 colors: light blue for the grid, and black for design.

Basic instructions for each major technique feature clear diagrams. Other techniques such as latch hooking, off-loom weaving, "speed hooking" (punch needle on a jumbo scale), macrame, and sewing machine-couched fringe include cursory text instructions or a diagram on its basics.

The main issue that disturbs me about books of this kind is that the original project designers remain anonymous, their names lost forever in the filing cabinets of history.

If you don't make any of the projects, this book is at least good for research into late 20th century craft decor, with all photographs in full color.

I got this book for one thing in it, the crocheted granny square sampler. I think I paid $4 or $5 dollars for this book, and I would have paid that much just for that one pattern. I am a crocheter and thought this book would have more crochet things in it. It had several, but most of them were either dated, or items I wouldn't use (I don't care how pretty a lacy tablecloth is, I am not going to make or use one...) So for my purposes, I gave it 4 stars.

However, I will say that the quilt section of the book (which encompassed most of the book) was quite good, and I enjoyed looking at it. The instructions seemed easy enough to follow, even for someone with minimal experience. The items are dated, but a lot of them in the way that seems to be coming around again, so not too dated for long I would say.

I would buy this book again...you can't beat the price. It may have even started me down a new hobby path...

Very informative and good illustrations and instructions. Covers a variety of needle craft and still within timely and fashionable creations. Highly recommend to anyone in the makert for needle art collectors and instructors.