Today’s review is written by my dearest friend Cath from Mobblegobble. Cath is very crafty and is my greatest source of inspiration for making things by hand.
Dorling Kindersley’s The Needlecraft Book is for crafty types from beginners to experienced who like to work with all things sharp and pointy. If you need help with knitting, crochet, needlepoint, embroidery, quilting, patchwork or applique, this book is your one stop shop. There are extensive instructions from the very basic through to much more complicated techniques. There are some great pictures and explanations of the tools and equipment required.
This book does basic technique very well. The clear illustrations in this book are easy to follow and the range of methods covered is extensive. There is a very small selection of projects to try, a colour wheel and quilt design discussion.
I found two main drawbacks to this book: the layout didn’t suit me as a crafter; and there were very few finished project pictures to get inspired by. Perhaps because of my tendency to switch from project to project, I found it annoying to have to flick back through other pages to remind myself how to do something new. This probably wouldn’t apply if I had time to master all the basics before diving in at the deep end.
Particularly in the quilting section, I really missed seeing completed articles – I think looking at a finished product really showcases the technique and can serve as a springboard for your own original ideas. This book is heavy – I’m sure if they had included finished articles it might turn into one of those books that rarely makes it down from the bookshelf.
This book is a great reference if you have trouble understanding, or want to add your own touches to, commercial patterns. Similarly, if you are confident in basic design and want to brush up on your technique then this book is for you. The Needlecraft Book is not jam packed with end to end projects but it will help you get crafty with sharp pointy things.
The Needlecraft Book – The Details
Format: Paperback, 400 pages
RRP: $49.95
ISBN-13: 9781405351720
Imprint: Dorling Kindersley
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley
Origin: United Kingdom
Category: Needlework & Fabric Crafts
Planning With Kids received The Needlecraft Book courtesy of Penguin Australia.