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TITLE: NEEDLEWEAVING: EASY AS EMBROIDERY AUTHOR: ESTHER
WARNER DENDEL HEG # 1329 Review By Norrene Trama, Librarian
For those of you who are looking for something challenging and adventuresome and want to learn how to "think
outside the box" the concepts discussed in this book may just be the "thing" you are looking for. This is my kind of
idea as it says "goodbye" to the concept of loom and warp and weft and just allows your imagination to soar. The
supplies are found within all our abodes and there is no major output of funds for materials that won't be used again.
A piece of cardboard, a curved needle and all those odds and ends of yarn, cord, raffia, ribbon, twigs, feathers or
whatever else just happens to be lying around waiting for a second purpose in life! The techniques of how to
combine all this "stuff" into an art form are all here in step by step details complete with lots of diagrams and pictures.
I just love diagrams and pictures in books.....makes the written steps easier to digest and gives me
less to read! Another concept that appeals to me is that you can make up the rules as you go along......what a
wonderful idea!!! Who doesn't love that concept?
Without looms or frames to lug around this art form lends itself to "wait time". The time you have to spend waiting in
doctors' offices, committee meetings and other places where one is required to hurry up and wait......A sack with your
goodies some cardboard and a needle do not take up much room and for some of us with big enough purses can be
stowed on board rather easily.
The author goes on to suggest how this art form can also appeal to young children and those whose hands are no
longer capable of fine work. With a no rules approach and no need for fine motor skills this will definitely catch the
imagination of the younger set, which we are sorely in need of attracting, if our needlearts are to survive. Large
yarns give a beautiful rough and sturdy appearance to the work, and bright colors also appeal to them, and can help
urge children into a "get involved" mode.
Most of the basic techniques can be learned by just following the simple, clear cut instructions. Since this is a no holes
barred art form there is no real right or wrong outcome. Basic "stitches" consist of knot types, slits and weaves, all
that is need to make a simple project. More advanced techniques and things to make are covered in later chapters. I
particularly liked the chapter called the Eccentric Weft and Warp and realized that warp is not just a speed on Star
Trek! These techniques are fully explained and shown how they can be used to create special effects. Ideas for
making really interesting stuff including wall hangings, jackets, belts and even necklaces are all included and waiting
for someone to take them on and create a new project.
As your skills increase, like all needlework, you'll progress to more elaborate designs and more sophisticated looms.
So, if you are a bit jaded with traditional needlework or just want to try and break out, you can easily do so by
introducing yourself to the craft of needleweaving. This how to book is just a guide for your first efforts. The pictures
sketches and photos are just full of ideas to inspire you. Encouraging you to pick your own colors, which is part of the
fun of this technique, is the main reason most plates are in black and white. If you are 9 or 90 and looking for an
adventure without a lot of risk this might be just the place to start one. This book resides in our library as a gift from
Virginia Maxwell.
WARNER DENDEL HEG # 1329 Review By Norrene Trama, Librarian
For those of you who are looking for something challenging and adventuresome and want to learn how to "think
outside the box" the concepts discussed in this book may just be the "thing" you are looking for. This is my kind of
idea as it says "goodbye" to the concept of loom and warp and weft and just allows your imagination to soar. The
supplies are found within all our abodes and there is no major output of funds for materials that won't be used again.
A piece of cardboard, a curved needle and all those odds and ends of yarn, cord, raffia, ribbon, twigs, feathers or
whatever else just happens to be lying around waiting for a second purpose in life! The techniques of how to
combine all this "stuff" into an art form are all here in step by step details complete with lots of diagrams and pictures.
I just love diagrams and pictures in books.....makes the written steps easier to digest and gives me
less to read! Another concept that appeals to me is that you can make up the rules as you go along......what a
wonderful idea!!! Who doesn't love that concept?
Without looms or frames to lug around this art form lends itself to "wait time". The time you have to spend waiting in
doctors' offices, committee meetings and other places where one is required to hurry up and wait......A sack with your
goodies some cardboard and a needle do not take up much room and for some of us with big enough purses can be
stowed on board rather easily.
The author goes on to suggest how this art form can also appeal to young children and those whose hands are no
longer capable of fine work. With a no rules approach and no need for fine motor skills this will definitely catch the
imagination of the younger set, which we are sorely in need of attracting, if our needlearts are to survive. Large
yarns give a beautiful rough and sturdy appearance to the work, and bright colors also appeal to them, and can help
urge children into a "get involved" mode.
Most of the basic techniques can be learned by just following the simple, clear cut instructions. Since this is a no holes
barred art form there is no real right or wrong outcome. Basic "stitches" consist of knot types, slits and weaves, all
that is need to make a simple project. More advanced techniques and things to make are covered in later chapters. I
particularly liked the chapter called the Eccentric Weft and Warp and realized that warp is not just a speed on Star
Trek! These techniques are fully explained and shown how they can be used to create special effects. Ideas for
making really interesting stuff including wall hangings, jackets, belts and even necklaces are all included and waiting
for someone to take them on and create a new project.
As your skills increase, like all needlework, you'll progress to more elaborate designs and more sophisticated looms.
So, if you are a bit jaded with traditional needlework or just want to try and break out, you can easily do so by
introducing yourself to the craft of needleweaving. This how to book is just a guide for your first efforts. The pictures
sketches and photos are just full of ideas to inspire you. Encouraging you to pick your own colors, which is part of the
fun of this technique, is the main reason most plates are in black and white. If you are 9 or 90 and looking for an
adventure without a lot of risk this might be just the place to start one. This book resides in our library as a gift from
Virginia Maxwell.
TITLE: THE NEEDLEPOINT SCRAPS BOOK AUTHOR: JO IPPOLITO
CHRISTENSEN HEG # 1094 Review By Norrene Trama, Librarian
Have you ever wondered what to do with all those "leftovers" from your "finished (?)" projects? Unlike food leftovers
which can be disguised as another dish and refed to your spouse; or if worse comes to worse can be used to liven
up your dogs' kibble if they get really bad; these leftovers just continue to languish and take up much needed room
in our stitching closets without ever having hope of being resurrected. If that is your problem,
have no fear, the answers to this element are contained within the pages of this book! Both beginning and
advanced stitchers can benefit from the ideas discussed in this book, which can save all of you time, effort and
money! With the use of scraps the author shows all needleworkers ways to create many different projects using
very few supplies. This is a plus if you are a newcomer to needlepoint as you can practice your techniques
and learn new stitches without a large investment in canvas and fibers. For those of you who have never tried
needlepoint this is an excellent way to get your feet wet without being overwhelmed by a canvas or complicated
instructions.
With this approach one can buy, beg or borrow "scraps" and not have to layout significant sums for canvas and
fibers. The first part of the book is definitely for beginners. It covers everything a newbie needs to know about
needlepoint. It discusses everything from the types of canvas available, to how to thread a needle correctly, and
then on to things like finding the "nap" of the yarn and how to cut a skein. I found the idea of a STITCH TABLE an
extremely useful guide for any stitcher to be used for any project. For over 50 basic stitches the author shows you
haw to calculate the amount of yards or ounces of fiber you will need to cover a centimeter of canvas with a
particular stitch. Taken into account is the ply of the fiber as well as the size of the canvas you are wanting to cover.
The projects suggested were all deeply detailed as to how much canvas and how much fiber would be needed for
the particular project. In addition to extremely clear, concise directions, detailed diagrams showing one exactly how
to go about the project. These are my kind of directions as they had specific diagrams that said things like "fold
here" or "cut here" or "stitch here". Anyone who has ever had me in a class will know I can get really, really
confused just trying to sort out the fibers in my kit, no less stitch the project!
The color plates of all her finished projects were a real inspiration. They included things like book covers, eyeglass
cases and even 3D projects for the over achievers! The range of projects were from simple to advanced in terms of
the technical skills needed to complete them. Believe me none of the finished projects looked like warmed over
leftovers! The last section of the book gives one all the instructions for all the different types of stitches contained in
the projects. These stitches covered the gamut in that there were straight, diagonal, box and cross along with
many combination stitches. Once again the instructions were excellent and accompanied by detailed drawings. This
section also included all the instructions needed to finish the projects. The author not only shows you how to make
cording she even teaches you how to make your own frames. This book is certainly an A to Z primer for these
projects and at no point leaves you without knowing what you are to do next; so there is no reason for not
"finishing" your leftovers. So, if there are those "leftovers" taking up room in your stitching project this is definitely a
way to re-serve them in a totally new medium!
This book was placed in our library courtesy of Virginia Maxwell.
CHRISTENSEN HEG # 1094 Review By Norrene Trama, Librarian
Have you ever wondered what to do with all those "leftovers" from your "finished (?)" projects? Unlike food leftovers
which can be disguised as another dish and refed to your spouse; or if worse comes to worse can be used to liven
up your dogs' kibble if they get really bad; these leftovers just continue to languish and take up much needed room
in our stitching closets without ever having hope of being resurrected. If that is your problem,
have no fear, the answers to this element are contained within the pages of this book! Both beginning and
advanced stitchers can benefit from the ideas discussed in this book, which can save all of you time, effort and
money! With the use of scraps the author shows all needleworkers ways to create many different projects using
very few supplies. This is a plus if you are a newcomer to needlepoint as you can practice your techniques
and learn new stitches without a large investment in canvas and fibers. For those of you who have never tried
needlepoint this is an excellent way to get your feet wet without being overwhelmed by a canvas or complicated
instructions.
With this approach one can buy, beg or borrow "scraps" and not have to layout significant sums for canvas and
fibers. The first part of the book is definitely for beginners. It covers everything a newbie needs to know about
needlepoint. It discusses everything from the types of canvas available, to how to thread a needle correctly, and
then on to things like finding the "nap" of the yarn and how to cut a skein. I found the idea of a STITCH TABLE an
extremely useful guide for any stitcher to be used for any project. For over 50 basic stitches the author shows you
haw to calculate the amount of yards or ounces of fiber you will need to cover a centimeter of canvas with a
particular stitch. Taken into account is the ply of the fiber as well as the size of the canvas you are wanting to cover.
The projects suggested were all deeply detailed as to how much canvas and how much fiber would be needed for
the particular project. In addition to extremely clear, concise directions, detailed diagrams showing one exactly how
to go about the project. These are my kind of directions as they had specific diagrams that said things like "fold
here" or "cut here" or "stitch here". Anyone who has ever had me in a class will know I can get really, really
confused just trying to sort out the fibers in my kit, no less stitch the project!
The color plates of all her finished projects were a real inspiration. They included things like book covers, eyeglass
cases and even 3D projects for the over achievers! The range of projects were from simple to advanced in terms of
the technical skills needed to complete them. Believe me none of the finished projects looked like warmed over
leftovers! The last section of the book gives one all the instructions for all the different types of stitches contained in
the projects. These stitches covered the gamut in that there were straight, diagonal, box and cross along with
many combination stitches. Once again the instructions were excellent and accompanied by detailed drawings. This
section also included all the instructions needed to finish the projects. The author not only shows you how to make
cording she even teaches you how to make your own frames. This book is certainly an A to Z primer for these
projects and at no point leaves you without knowing what you are to do next; so there is no reason for not
"finishing" your leftovers. So, if there are those "leftovers" taking up room in your stitching project this is definitely a
way to re-serve them in a totally new medium!
This book was placed in our library courtesy of Virginia Maxwell.
TITLE: TEXTURE AND COLOR IN NEEDLEPOINT AUTHOR: MICHELE WEAL
HEG # 111 Review By Norrene Trama, Librarian
I recently took an Embellishment Canvas Course with Tony Minieri which was offered by the Guild. I was not only
quite impressed with all that I learned on how to make a canvas really "come alive" but I was also impressed with
the teacher whom I found to be a wealth of information and very helpful. Because of this, I went browsing through
the library and found several books devoted to carrying conventional needlepoint beyond the normal limits by
utilizing a third dimension better known as depth. I found the above book to be the best at teaching one how to go
beyond the normal boundaries of convention and really inspire one to look at needlepoint in an entirely different
light. Another thing I liked about this book was the way in which the author set it up, in that this book can be used
in three different ways to achieve your goals.
The first way is to use the step by step directions and use the author's designs. The second way is to learn how to
integrate different stitches and combine them effectively. And thirdly, is to use the ideas presented to create your
own textured designs using intermediate and advanced techniques and designs. There is a mini course in color
fundamentals designed to help you with your color choices and compositions. This is done so that you can transfer
them onto the patterns and use them in the composition of your own designs. It provides genuinely helpful and
unusually perceptive advice in the use of color. It also helps you develop a personal response to color. It allows you
to sense colors that are mysterious, exciting and powerful. It helps, if one can look upon needlepoint as a true
artistic medium, whereby you can think freely about texture and color. No one is ever totally free of convention, but
one can learn to be imaginative and innovative. To truly experience the teachings of this book and author, one must
think of needlepoint as a way to create a fabric from a woven canvas. The stitches go around, over and under the
canvas forming one unit.....the finished material....building a textile structure in needlepoint. When you start to think
of needlepoint as a 3 dimensional fabric created by stitches you can then start to think of textures and how they will
affect your finished product.
Many techniques are discussed in this book that incorporate the ideas of texture and color. One is a method called
"chiaroscuro", the use of light and dark shading to achieve depth in rounded surfaces which are turning from you.
This technique was often used by Renaissance painters as a way to add depth to the subject. Another approach to
using the canvas similar to that of the artist, is to build up a thick surface. Bumpy, smooth, indented, creviced and
raised techniques can make needlepoint similar to relief sculptures. This technique is called "impasto" when used in
painting. These, and other techniques are discussed in depth and then related to the different types of stitches that
can be used to create the effect you are looking for, an area which I found to be truly fascinating and informative.
While needlepoint has been used for hundreds of years for the reproduction of paintings, for fabrics and just to
paint a picture, 20th century art has been experimental and has welcomed the use of touch and feel textures. As
you work with the stitches and colors and see what you can do, you will be able to incorporate them into patterns.
With the step by step instructions provided, you can build your own portfolio of stitches, textures and colors. Lots of
practical suggestions and advice are offered to help you create this portfolio.
This book has a very attractive format. There are lots of color plates supplemented by black and whites that help you
envision the many techniques and textures you can create. In addition there is a lot of practical guidance for those
who want to design their own needlepoint from both an artistic and sculptural point of view. All these features
combined make this book a most desirable one for the person with some experience who wants to go on and create
more exciting and unique needlepoint projects.
HEG # 111 Review By Norrene Trama, Librarian
I recently took an Embellishment Canvas Course with Tony Minieri which was offered by the Guild. I was not only
quite impressed with all that I learned on how to make a canvas really "come alive" but I was also impressed with
the teacher whom I found to be a wealth of information and very helpful. Because of this, I went browsing through
the library and found several books devoted to carrying conventional needlepoint beyond the normal limits by
utilizing a third dimension better known as depth. I found the above book to be the best at teaching one how to go
beyond the normal boundaries of convention and really inspire one to look at needlepoint in an entirely different
light. Another thing I liked about this book was the way in which the author set it up, in that this book can be used
in three different ways to achieve your goals.
The first way is to use the step by step directions and use the author's designs. The second way is to learn how to
integrate different stitches and combine them effectively. And thirdly, is to use the ideas presented to create your
own textured designs using intermediate and advanced techniques and designs. There is a mini course in color
fundamentals designed to help you with your color choices and compositions. This is done so that you can transfer
them onto the patterns and use them in the composition of your own designs. It provides genuinely helpful and
unusually perceptive advice in the use of color. It also helps you develop a personal response to color. It allows you
to sense colors that are mysterious, exciting and powerful. It helps, if one can look upon needlepoint as a true
artistic medium, whereby you can think freely about texture and color. No one is ever totally free of convention, but
one can learn to be imaginative and innovative. To truly experience the teachings of this book and author, one must
think of needlepoint as a way to create a fabric from a woven canvas. The stitches go around, over and under the
canvas forming one unit.....the finished material....building a textile structure in needlepoint. When you start to think
of needlepoint as a 3 dimensional fabric created by stitches you can then start to think of textures and how they will
affect your finished product.
Many techniques are discussed in this book that incorporate the ideas of texture and color. One is a method called
"chiaroscuro", the use of light and dark shading to achieve depth in rounded surfaces which are turning from you.
This technique was often used by Renaissance painters as a way to add depth to the subject. Another approach to
using the canvas similar to that of the artist, is to build up a thick surface. Bumpy, smooth, indented, creviced and
raised techniques can make needlepoint similar to relief sculptures. This technique is called "impasto" when used in
painting. These, and other techniques are discussed in depth and then related to the different types of stitches that
can be used to create the effect you are looking for, an area which I found to be truly fascinating and informative.
While needlepoint has been used for hundreds of years for the reproduction of paintings, for fabrics and just to
paint a picture, 20th century art has been experimental and has welcomed the use of touch and feel textures. As
you work with the stitches and colors and see what you can do, you will be able to incorporate them into patterns.
With the step by step instructions provided, you can build your own portfolio of stitches, textures and colors. Lots of
practical suggestions and advice are offered to help you create this portfolio.
This book has a very attractive format. There are lots of color plates supplemented by black and whites that help you
envision the many techniques and textures you can create. In addition there is a lot of practical guidance for those
who want to design their own needlepoint from both an artistic and sculptural point of view. All these features
combined make this book a most desirable one for the person with some experience who wants to go on and create
more exciting and unique needlepoint projects.
TITLE: KNOTS, FUR, AND TURKEY WORK AUTHOR: MEREDITH BARNHILL
WILLETT AND BETH ROBERTSON HEG # 1094 Review By Norrene Trama
For those of you who have ever tired making knots on embroidered pieces only to wind up, like myself, with an
unintelligible mess, ......this book is for you! I usually start out correctly, only to take a wrong turn somewhere along
the way and then get myself caught up in a snarl much worse than anything I've ever experienced on the freeway!
The results cause major ripping and cutting along with a few choice words to finally produce a way out. This results in
a lot of frustration not to mention a loss of self esteem because one cannot seem to master something as simple as
a KNOT correctly! I think biochemistry was a lot Knots add dimension and interest to a piece without a doubt, and
have been used for centuries on pieces found all over the world. How people with less education than I managed to
master this technique is still a major quandary for me.
From personal experience I have first hand knowledge on all the things that can affect the size and length and width
of knot. My Tony Minieri experience was a real eye opener when I received my stitch planned canvas back only to find
out that all the Bluebonnets were to be executed with bullion knots..........aaaggghhh! The good news is he showed
me how to use the "cast on " method and it worked beautifully! Even better news for all of you is that his "secret" is
out and can be found within the pages of this book. "TRUST ME" (old Jewish-Italian saying) It works!
Each "knot" comes with super detailed instructions that even I have no problem following, and is accompanied by a
beautiful color picture. I've tried some of the other knots and found they came out looking like the pictures and not
something found on the freeway around 5pm. It was just an incredible experience for me who seems to be learning
challenged when it comes to stitchery. My not tying dilemma has been solved and my therapist is so please to hear
about my no longer feeling like such a "knot head." For those of you with animal allergies the "FUR" section is a
great place to browse through, as there will be no residual repercussions. It also has great pictures and instructions;
and is very informative as to what stitches to use as well as what kinds of fibers give the best results.
I made some really interesting and astonishing discoveries when I read the "Turkey Work" section. First, the name of
the stitches has nothing to do with the bird, but about the country of origin! These stitches were first used in Persia
and Turkey, hence the name. These stitches were designed to emulate the plush pile on the carpets made in this
region, and there are many variations on this theme. Although the end result of plush stitching may appear similar
they are executed very differently. Thus there is bound to be a "method" that the challenged stitcher can finally
master. Some of today's uses for these stitches are in tassels, epaulets, fringes, animals and plants. Many stitches
have given turkey work a bad reputation over the years because of the difficulty in learning the technique and also
because of time constraints.
This book shows many different forms and like I said before there is bound to be one to fit you learning abilities and
style. The various methods shown break the stitches into easily understandable steps and the end results are
definitely worth the investment in time.
So, if you tend to want to reach for the Mylanta whenever the word "knot" or "turkey work" is used in conjunction
with stitching, just remember help is just a phone call away and this lovely little book will do a far far better job in
assuaging that burning sensation. Check it out and enjoy!
WILLETT AND BETH ROBERTSON HEG # 1094 Review By Norrene Trama
For those of you who have ever tired making knots on embroidered pieces only to wind up, like myself, with an
unintelligible mess, ......this book is for you! I usually start out correctly, only to take a wrong turn somewhere along
the way and then get myself caught up in a snarl much worse than anything I've ever experienced on the freeway!
The results cause major ripping and cutting along with a few choice words to finally produce a way out. This results in
a lot of frustration not to mention a loss of self esteem because one cannot seem to master something as simple as
a KNOT correctly! I think biochemistry was a lot Knots add dimension and interest to a piece without a doubt, and
have been used for centuries on pieces found all over the world. How people with less education than I managed to
master this technique is still a major quandary for me.
From personal experience I have first hand knowledge on all the things that can affect the size and length and width
of knot. My Tony Minieri experience was a real eye opener when I received my stitch planned canvas back only to find
out that all the Bluebonnets were to be executed with bullion knots..........aaaggghhh! The good news is he showed
me how to use the "cast on " method and it worked beautifully! Even better news for all of you is that his "secret" is
out and can be found within the pages of this book. "TRUST ME" (old Jewish-Italian saying) It works!
Each "knot" comes with super detailed instructions that even I have no problem following, and is accompanied by a
beautiful color picture. I've tried some of the other knots and found they came out looking like the pictures and not
something found on the freeway around 5pm. It was just an incredible experience for me who seems to be learning
challenged when it comes to stitchery. My not tying dilemma has been solved and my therapist is so please to hear
about my no longer feeling like such a "knot head." For those of you with animal allergies the "FUR" section is a
great place to browse through, as there will be no residual repercussions. It also has great pictures and instructions;
and is very informative as to what stitches to use as well as what kinds of fibers give the best results.
I made some really interesting and astonishing discoveries when I read the "Turkey Work" section. First, the name of
the stitches has nothing to do with the bird, but about the country of origin! These stitches were first used in Persia
and Turkey, hence the name. These stitches were designed to emulate the plush pile on the carpets made in this
region, and there are many variations on this theme. Although the end result of plush stitching may appear similar
they are executed very differently. Thus there is bound to be a "method" that the challenged stitcher can finally
master. Some of today's uses for these stitches are in tassels, epaulets, fringes, animals and plants. Many stitches
have given turkey work a bad reputation over the years because of the difficulty in learning the technique and also
because of time constraints.
This book shows many different forms and like I said before there is bound to be one to fit you learning abilities and
style. The various methods shown break the stitches into easily understandable steps and the end results are
definitely worth the investment in time.
So, if you tend to want to reach for the Mylanta whenever the word "knot" or "turkey work" is used in conjunction
with stitching, just remember help is just a phone call away and this lovely little book will do a far far better job in
assuaging that burning sensation. Check it out and enjoy!
| BOOK REPORTS AVAILABLE ON THIS PAGE: NEEDLEWEAVING: EASY AS EMBROIDERY AUTHOR: ESTHER WARNER DENDEL KNOTS, FUR, AND TURKEY WORK AUTHOR: MEREDITH BARNHILL WILLETT AND BETH ROBERTSON THE NEEDLEPOINT SCRAPS BOOK AUTHOR: JO IPPOLITO CHRISTENSEN TEXTURE AND COLOR IN NEEDLEPOINT AUTHOR: MICHELE WEAL |
THE HOUSTON EMBROIDERERS' GUILD Book Reports 4 |
