• Home
  • Suggest A Craft
  • DIY Newsletter

Needle Work

Art, patterns and techniques

  • About CraftGossip
  • Our Network
    • Bath & Body Crafts
    • Candle Making Ideas
    • Crochet Ideas
    • Cross Stitch
    • Edible Crafts
    • Felting Patterns
    • Glass Art
    • Home & Garden Ideas
    • Indie Crafts
    • Jewelry Making
    • Kids Crafts
    • Knitting Patterns
    • Lesson Plans
    • Needlework
    • Party Ideas
    • Polymer Clay
    • Quilting Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing Patterns
    • Card Making
    • DIY Weddings
    • Not Craft Ideas
  • Giveaways
  • Roundups
  • Store
  • Search

Buy PUSH Stitchery. Now.

October 23, 2011 by Denise Felton Leave a Comment

We’ve all heard the huge buzz on the Internet about PUSH Stitchery, curated by Jamie Chalmers (aka MrXStitch). Every trendy stitcher has jumped on the bandwagon. Is the book really that good? Do we each really need a copy? I’ve finally had a chance to study the review copy I received from the publisher, Lark Crafts, and my answer is YES! Absolutely. You need this book.

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.

Related Ideas:

  • Easy No Seams Quilt As You Go Scrappy Sewing Project (1)
    10 Free Guides for Learning Machine Appliqué
  • tambour-embroidery-patterns-free-needlework-
    Tambour Hand Embroidery Tutorials and Patterns
  • coasters
    9 Free Plastic Canvas Coasters Patterns
  • How to Make an Angel Wall Quilt with the AccuQuilt® Tree of Life Die (1)
    17 Hand Embroidered Christmas Ornament Patterns
«
»

Have you read?

DMC Spring Flowers Embroidery Pattern – A Fresh and Floral Stitch for All Seasons

Don’t let the name fool you—the DMC Spring Flowers Embroidery Pattern isn’t just for springtime. This free floral embroidery design is light, fresh, and versatile enough to stitch and display all year round. Whether you’re in the middle of … Read More ...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Needlework Patterns and Ideas

There is no better place than the Needlework blog for all the latest tutorials and free patterns. Need some inspiration? We have you covered there too with awesome artists and links to amazing websites. Are you an avid cross stitcher? Maybe embroidery is thing, No matter what kind of stitch you are passionate about, there is something for you on the Needlework blog.There is no need to spend hours searching the internet for the latest news in the Needlework world, just stop by Craft Gossip and find everything you need for your next stitchy project. C'mon in! Have a seat, grab a cup of tea and catch up with your favorite stitchy friends.

Explore

Applique Artists Christmas Craft Inspirations Craft News and Events Crazy quilting Cross stitch DIY Tutorials and Patterns Embroidery Felt Free Patterns Giveaways Hand Holiday Machine Embroidery Needlepoint and bargello Needlework general news Patterns and charts Tips Tutorials

RSS More Articles

  • Learn about Colombia for Kids
  • Reasons to Love Small Cross Stitch Designs
  • Book Review: Upcycle – Transform Everyday Objects into Stylish Sustainable Home Decor
  • 6 FREE Wedding Elements Digital Stamps to Download
  • Create a Fun and Stylish DIY Circle Skirt for Back-to-School with Spoonflower Fabric
  • DMC Spring Flowers Embroidery Pattern – A Fresh and Floral Stitch for All Seasons
  • Knit a Glasses Holder for Your Bedside Table
  • How to Make a Travel Tag Mini Album
  • Homesteading is Trending! Here’s Why The Practical Guide to Homesteading is the Ultimate Step-by-Step Blueprint for Beginners Looking to Live Off-Grid
  • Stay In Crochet Cardigan | Free Crochet Pattern

Copyright © 2025 · CraftGossip | Start Here | Contact Us | Link to Us | Your Editors | Privacy and affiliate policy