Because the book is much more than a collection of projects. Each item was designed and created by a different artist. Each tutorial is accompanied by a brief story sharing the designer’s background and the personal meaning of the piece. There is much to learn, here, about tradition, mindfulness, and valuing our ethnicity.

In her introduction, Diana Drew says,

Jewish Threads brings together the disparate threads of my own life–Judaism and Jewish observance, sewing and knitting, writing and editing–while stitching together the inspiring stories of fabric artists from throughout the United States and Israel. Collectively, these personal stories and the projects that spring from them form a pastiche of modern-day Jewish life. The part openings, written by my husband, Robert Grayson, place these crafts in historical perspective, with tales from the Jewish tradition that give these fabric crafts added resonance today.

Beyond this storytelling, Jewish Threads presents an array of fabric craft projects made with varied needlecraft techniques–quilting, knitting, needlepoint, crochet, embroidery, counted cross-stitch, even felting. Taken together, these stories and their accompanying projects can serve as a catalyst for your imagination, a way for you to translate your own passion for Judaism into beautiful works of handmade fabric art. Both an inspirational book and a craft-making book, Jewish Threads draws together the diverse threads of Jewish life and Jewish observance as expressed through Jewish fabric crafts.

I would go farther. I would say that this book will be meaningful and useful regardless of your heritage or ethnicity if you are excited by learning from and borrowing ideas from others’ traditions. The book is inexpensively produced–the photos are in black and white, for example. So if you pick up a copy of this book, don’t expect eye candy. But do expect a rewarding addition to your needlework library. The book retails for US$19.99. ISBN 978-1-58023-442-9.

You could win a copy of this lovely book from CraftGossip! The publisher, Jewish Lights Publishing, provided a copy for our review and we’re passing it along to one lucky reader. Go to the giveaway post to enter the draw.

Jamie’s intro does a masterful job of capturing in a few words the purpose and value of PUSH Stitchery. In part, he says,

From needlepoint and cross-stitch to quilting and applique, artists today are re-appropriating traditional techniques and making new statements with them. Conventional styles are being combined with new influences to create subversive pieces; stitching becomes a tool for exploring angst, rage, sexuality, and for examining social phenomena…Each time someone pushes the boundaries, it opens creative space for other people to explore, and the movement continues. In an increasingly electronic age, stitchery provides a tangible documentation of contemporary culture, and the creations of today are our future heirlooms and artefacts.

So, as you would expect, the work of the 30 artists highlighted in the book is extreme–in technique or theme or materials. Cayce Zavaglia “paints” realistic portraits in thread. Severija Incirauskaite-Kriauneviciene cross-stitches traditional motifs on objects ranging from shovels to cars. Clyde Olliver stitches on stone. Penny Nickels’ repertoire includes shisha-stitching found objects. Bascom Hogue’s pieces combine intensity of stitch with both naivete and sophisticated social commentary. Diem Chau applies her stitching to porcelain. It’s hard for me not to catalog every single one of these 30 amazing artists. Each turn of the page not only inspires awe at the skill of the artists and the content of the art, but also drives the reader to the studio to create, innovate, stretch.

If you’re like me, you’ll spend hours just absorbing and studying the images. When you’re able to quit staring, you’ll discover that the book also includes brief biographies of each artist and short interviews that offer greater insight into their intentions and processes. It’s a book I will come back to again and again. If you don’t have a copy, go get one. Now.

PUSH Stitchery: 30 Artists Explore the Boundaries of Stitched Art. ISBN 978-1-60059-787-9.

In 1985 Kooler Design Studio set up shop in the Diablo Valley of California. Over the years, Donna Kooler and her staff created a classic body of work for the needlework field that rivals any that exists today. This 208-page compilation presents 38 of the very best cross stitch designs from four essential staff designers: Linda Gillum, Barbara Baatz Hillman, Sandy Orton, and Nancy Rossi. Four chapters, one for each designer, are full of their most elegant, dynamic and popular cross stitch creations. Barbara’s gorgeous florals, Sandy’s intricate samplers, Linda’s charming wildlife and Nancy’s seasonal landscapes are well recognized and collected by discerning stitchers. This book is a treasure trove.

The book retails for US$24.95 but is currently on sale at Amazon for US$16.30! Go there now. And if you get the book before I do, post a comment and let us know what you think of it.

Ed. note: This post was not solicited or compensated in any way.

Although it never really went away, it has been resurging lately with updated patterns, colors, and projects. So, with perfect timing, needlepoint expert Janet M. Perry has released a guide, Bargello Revisited. She points out that bargello has been popular for more than 500 years and is one of the easiest forms of needlepoint to stitch. I’m sure these two facts are related. Plus there is a harmony to bargello patterns that is intrinsically satisfying.

At the front of the book are all the basics, explained in Janet’s usual thorough, supportive style. Then come templates of simple shapes that you can fill with bargello to create projects. And finally the real meat of the book: patterns and instructions for stitching bargello in your own favorite colors and style. If you’ve never tried bargello, use this book to get started. You’ll be hooked.

The book is published by Napa Needlepoint, Janet’s logo. It retails for US$37.95. ISBN 978-1-6064-3341-6.

You could win a copy from CraftGossip! Go to the giveaway post.

Project directions are a bit skimpy, assuming the reader already understands the necessary techniques. This led me to believe the book was not for beginners. But when I got to the instructions for thread, silk-ribbon, and bead embroidery, I found all the detail a beginner could wish for. So I think, as the title suggests, this book is not so much about creating crazy-quilting projects as on embellishing them.

Photographs of the projects are gorgeous. When it comes to instructions, be prepared for typical pattern-style line drawings. The pattern sheet is bound into the book–it must be permanently removed from the book for use. (You could always glue a heavy envelope to the inside back cover to keep the patterns with the book once you’ve used them.) A nice feature is the inclusion of nine antique-style images, Priscilla Ladies, that can be used to create photo transfers.

The book retails for US$24.95. ISBN 978-1-878048-64-6.

You could win a copy from CraftGossip! Go to the giveaway post.

The book, published by Wiley, retails for US$24.99. ISBN 978-0-470-88719-6.

You could win a copy from CraftGossip! Go to the giveaway post to enter.

The book is published by Napa Needlepoint, Janet’s logo. ISBN 978-1-4196-6533-2. You can find it at your local needlework shop. Or you can order it from Amazon.com for US$17.95 in softcover or US$3.99 for the Kindle edition. Or you could win a copy from CraftGossip! Go to our giveaway post.

Ed. note: Janet M. Perry provided a copy of this book for the review and giveaway. She didn’t tell me what to say about it. The opinion expressed here is all mine.

Push Stitchery: 30 Artists Explore the Boundaries of Stitched Art.

This book features 30 contemporary artists using the needle as their tool of choice. All of the artists utilize embroidery as one of their main mediums of artistic expression. The skill, scale, and approach is incredibly diverse. Keeping with the trends that I have seen many of the artists are working with narrative. Jamie has truly created an invaluable resource to those of us inspired by the stitch. He has managed to put together the best of what is happening in thread all in one book.

And Jimmy McBride of intergalactic transport says,

the quality of people that [Jamie] posts on the site is great, but to be able to see it up close in book form is another experience totally. there are 30 artists featured from all over the world, doing really different, and really amazing stuff with stitching.  the blurb on the back says: “blackwork embroidered cities, cross-stitched cars, stitched stone sculptures and more…”  for realz.

Both Joetta and Jimmy are among the artists whose work is included in the book, which doubtless explains how they got advance copies. You can preorder a copy from Amazon UK for GBP10.49.

Ed. note: Jamie Chalmers neither requested nor compensated this post. I’ll be standing in line for the book like all of you!

Jan Constantine

Colour is something I’ve never been afraid of and I take great delight in using bright and contrasting colours for my bold applique embroideries…This book is filled with an eclectic mix of projects that are truly me–strong shapes, bold colours and exciting designs.

For those of us who love the way layers of felt merge and nestle around stitching when appliqued, this book is eye candy indeed. Designs range from simple to complex. Most benefit from the accent of blanket stitching but could as easily be joined by machine. And though many are ideal for felt, designs also are included that can be used on practical items such as aprons. The simplest home dec items, such as pillows and rugs, would be perfect projects for a Girl Scout troop. Others, like the Galleon Wall Hanging, require more advanced embroidery skills. In short, Jan has included something for everyone who is interested in applique.

The 21 projects are beautifully photographed by Caroline Arber. For each item, Jan gives a list of materials and equipment needed, explains preparation including design transfer, steps through the needlework, and then details how to assemble the project. Diagrams and instructions clarify the process.

The book retails for GBP 20. ISBN 978-1-906417-53-6.

Or win a copy from CraftGossip! Go to the giveaway post.

The front of the book showcases each design with stunning photos of the stages of the process, the finished design, and a practical application. Possibilities range from a butterfly hatband to a berry necklace to a sparkling border for a bridal veil. The back of the book offers basics such as tools and materials plus instructions and diagrams for each edging.

The Beaded Edge retails for US$17.95. ISBN 978-1-59668-300-6.

Or win a copy from CraftGossip! Go to the giveaway post.

Natural Patchwork

If you’ve never tried patchwork or are intimidated by quilting, this book is the perfect place to start. The projects are small enough not to be overwhelming and a great opportunity to polish patchwork skills. So will experienced quilters enjoy this book? I think so. We’re always looking for new projects that let us use those scraps we can’t stand to let go of. The tiny pieces required by many of the projects make them ideal for using up those pretty bits.

Natural Patchwork retails for US$19.95. ISBN 978-1-59030-881-3.

Or win a copy from CraftGossip! Go to the giveaway post.

Twisted Stitches

The book pushes the “how tos” to the back, so they’re still available for newcomers but out of the way for experienced stitchers. Each design includes a complete thread key (based on DMC floss colors), a chart, and recommendations for finishing. (Instead of segmenting larger charts, the publisher has printed them separately and tucked them into a sturdy pocket attached to the inside back cover.) So the book is well and professionally done. But this publication is all about the designs. You know you want a hand towel with a barbed-wire border or a keychain with the image of a squished rabbit overlain with a tire track.

The book, by North Light Books, retails for US$19.99. ISBN-13: 978-1-4403-0933-5.

Or you could win a copy from CraftGossip! Go to the giveaway post to enter.

Jon Yusoff

The approach that I have taken for this book is to come up with designs that uses the basic techniques of tatting, i.e. the double stitch, standard rings and chains, regular join and lock joins.  There are no split rings, split chains nor mock rings in any of the designs.  However, there are a couple of designs that are a bit more involved while still keeping to the basics.  But, I think I managed to put in enough twist and turns to make each one rather challenging. I also wanted to come up with designs that can be tatted in one pass. I managed to do it for 14 out of 18 designs.

You can order the book from Jon’s web site for US$22.00. Go to her blog post for more details.

Ed. note: Jon did not request or compensate this post in any way. That’s how modest she is.

For all you budding cross stitch designers out there, my ebook is now available. If you have ever thought about designing your own patterns for sale as kits, charts or to magazines then you will find all you need to know packed into this 121 page ebook. Stitch Your Own Business has been launched.

Get the details.