Decorating Your Home With Cross-Stitch - Softcover

Cross-stitch is just one of a variety of counted thread techniques worked primarily on even weave fabric. These books are good examples of two different approaches to writing a cross-stitch project book: the process-oriented approach and the project-oriented approach. Van Zandt (Christmas Stockings in Cross-Stich, Meredith, 1992) assumes that the reader is a beginner interested in learning various counted thread techniques (cross-stitch, blackwork, pattern darning, pulled work, hardanger, and drawn thread work) and then expanding upon what has been learned to create original designs. She includes an assortment of attractive and challenging projects, but clearly the process of learning and creating is as important as the projects in this book. In contrast, Kooler assumes that the reader is already proficient at cross-stitch and wishes to make attractive projects for the home. An artisan with her own studio, she presents 40 designs in pleasing room-by-room groupings, including full directions, materials, step-by-step instructions, and oversized graphs for each. Both volumes avoid trendy designs that might quickly date the projects and both are sturdily bound, with clear color illustrations and photos. Both are recommended for public libraries, but if you can only purchase one, Van Zandt's is the better choice because it goes beyond projects, which are readily available in needlework magazines. [Decorating Your Home is a main selection of the Better Homes and Gardens Crafts Club.?Ed.]?Janice Zlendich, California State Univ. Lib., Fullerto.
-?Janice Zlendich, California State Univ. Lib., Fullerton
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