Complete Encyclopedia Of Needlework: Anniversary Edition [DELUXE EDITION] (Paperback)

~ (Author), Rita Weiss (Author), Jean Leinhauser (Author) "Most people who open The Complete Encyclopedia of Needlework will say, on seeing the title of this chapter, that this information about sewing by hand..." (more)
Key Phrases: buttonhole knots, flourishing thread, middle picot, Danish Hedebo, Needlework Trimmings, Two-sided Italian (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

First published in 1884, this remarkable volume is an exhaustive resource on virtually all forms of needlework, from crochet to macrame. It's a must-have for needlecrafters interested in rediscovering old-world techniques, as well as for anyone looking for a review of basic sewing skills and easy-to-follow, diagrammed directions.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 704 pages
• Publisher: Running Press; Anniversary edition edition (September 8, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762413182
• ISBN-13: 978-0762413188
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #855,417 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent material, poor-quality reproduction., October 3, 2000

By	G. Stanton - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Complete Encyclopedia Of Needlework (Hardcover)

This book is over a hundred years old, but the information within still applies to all the subjects covered: sewing and mending, embroidery, applique, tapestry, knitting, crochet, tatting, macrame, and many varieties of lacemaking. Well-written and illustrated, the instruction is easily digested today -- no one will have trouble learning from these pages. My only complaint is that the original had many color plates which here have been reproduced as balck and white, and the paper on which it is printed is stark white. This makes for rather glaring, ugly pages. My aunt's edition from the 1930s is beautiful by comparison. I suppose the publisher was more concerned with keeping the cost down. Get the hardcover -- the book is quite thick and the paperback version will wear out quickly.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Every single stitch and technique in detail, April 4, 2000

By	Mw M. Van Buijtene "Marieka" (Den Haag, Netherlands) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Complete Encyclopedia Of Needlework (Hardcover)

If needlework is a serious hobby or your occupation, you need this most authoritative guide to the art of needlecraft. It covers every single stitch and technique in detail. However, the Encyclopedia does not allow for much fun and easy reading. The text is dense and the black and white illustrations are at first glance not always that much clarifying - they need studying. The language used is a bit oldfashioned and may occasionally be hard to understand if English is not your native language. The instructions are very strict and creative variations are not promoted. Furthermore, the index does not always point to the right page. Still, De Dillmont offers us a trusted companion for sorting out the right stitches and thorough introductions to a wide variety of techniques. The Encyclopedia has also proved to be of use to historians and translators in the field of art and crafts.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Info, Poorly Reproduced, January 5, 2003

By	Sarah Bradberry (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After 112 years the information in this book is still as important as it was when it was first published. However, the quality of the reproduction in the images is appalling. I also have an edition from 1910 in which you can clearly see sections of many of the embroidery images that are almost totally blacked out in the anniversary edition.

The anniversary edition does contain a few more items that are missing from my older edition, so I suggest purchasing both. Buy the new edition for everyday use and buy an antique copy from Ebay for the images and diagrams.