Stitch By Stitch by Jane Bull
Apr. 24th, 2024 09:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
quippeThe Blurb On The Back:
Stitch-by-Stitch
A beginner’s guide to needlecraft.
Stitch-by-Stitch focuses on crochet, patchwork, appliqué, embroidery, knitting, and needlepoint. It teaches the basic techniques, then shows you how to turn them into beautiful projects.
From felt flowers to a knitted scarf set, this book will get you designing, creating, and having fun!
Jane Bull is an experienced writer of crafting and activity books for children. This introductory book to embroidery, needlepoint, patchwork, appliqué, knitting and crochet is aimed at readers aged 7+ and is easy to follow with clear photographs and patterns to use. I came away feeling more confident with basic stitches and adult care-givers who are also looking to pick up these skills can do them alongside younger readers.
I picked this up because I recently got back into cross-stitch as a way of de-stressing and have become interested in other embroidery techniques but was not sure where to start. However I also found the crochet section very useful as I’ve never been able to get the hang of it and I found the photographic illustrations easy to follow in terms of understanding how to do 2 types of crochet stitch. One thing I will also say is that with knitting and crocheting, Bull makes a point of providing a method of stitching that may be easier for left-handed readers, which I thought was considerate.
Each section gives a breakdown of what materials are needed before providing simple, easy to follow instructions for each technique - each accompanied by clear photographs showing Bull doing it. There are also suggestions for projects to do and some patterns and suggestions for readers. If I am going to make a criticism then I think the projects are all very much targeted at girl readers more than boy readers (e.g. one of the knitting projects is making roses) and I did think that’s a missed opportunity.
However I liked the fact that Bull does not write in a patronising way. She highlights when adult help will be required (e.g. in using an iron) and warns about potential dangers of using sharp scissors. The projects are all good fun - the patchwork cushions being a particular stand out - and the way she combines various techniques all gives the book a satisfying coherence.
I think that this is a great example of a book that really works for adults who want to read along with younger readers because you could quite happily learn to do these crafts together. Certainly, as an adult reading this I found it super helpful and have picked up some new skills and as such, I think it is well worth your time.
The Verdict:
Jane Bull is an experienced writer of crafting and activity books for children. This introductory book to embroidery, needlepoint, patchwork, appliqué, knitting and crochet is aimed at readers aged 7+ and is easy to follow with clear photographs and patterns to use. I came away feeling more confident with basic stitches and adult care-givers who are also looking to pick up these skills can do them alongside younger readers.
STITCH-BY-STICH was released in the United Kingdom on 2nd November 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.
A beginner’s guide to needlecraft.
Stitch-by-Stitch focuses on crochet, patchwork, appliqué, embroidery, knitting, and needlepoint. It teaches the basic techniques, then shows you how to turn them into beautiful projects.
From felt flowers to a knitted scarf set, this book will get you designing, creating, and having fun!
Jane Bull is an experienced writer of crafting and activity books for children. This introductory book to embroidery, needlepoint, patchwork, appliqué, knitting and crochet is aimed at readers aged 7+ and is easy to follow with clear photographs and patterns to use. I came away feeling more confident with basic stitches and adult care-givers who are also looking to pick up these skills can do them alongside younger readers.
I picked this up because I recently got back into cross-stitch as a way of de-stressing and have become interested in other embroidery techniques but was not sure where to start. However I also found the crochet section very useful as I’ve never been able to get the hang of it and I found the photographic illustrations easy to follow in terms of understanding how to do 2 types of crochet stitch. One thing I will also say is that with knitting and crocheting, Bull makes a point of providing a method of stitching that may be easier for left-handed readers, which I thought was considerate.
Each section gives a breakdown of what materials are needed before providing simple, easy to follow instructions for each technique - each accompanied by clear photographs showing Bull doing it. There are also suggestions for projects to do and some patterns and suggestions for readers. If I am going to make a criticism then I think the projects are all very much targeted at girl readers more than boy readers (e.g. one of the knitting projects is making roses) and I did think that’s a missed opportunity.
However I liked the fact that Bull does not write in a patronising way. She highlights when adult help will be required (e.g. in using an iron) and warns about potential dangers of using sharp scissors. The projects are all good fun - the patchwork cushions being a particular stand out - and the way she combines various techniques all gives the book a satisfying coherence.
I think that this is a great example of a book that really works for adults who want to read along with younger readers because you could quite happily learn to do these crafts together. Certainly, as an adult reading this I found it super helpful and have picked up some new skills and as such, I think it is well worth your time.
The Verdict:
Jane Bull is an experienced writer of crafting and activity books for children. This introductory book to embroidery, needlepoint, patchwork, appliqué, knitting and crochet is aimed at readers aged 7+ and is easy to follow with clear photographs and patterns to use. I came away feeling more confident with basic stitches and adult care-givers who are also looking to pick up these skills can do them alongside younger readers.
STITCH-BY-STICH was released in the United Kingdom on 2nd November 2023. Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.
