LMF Bernardo

There are currently hundreds of books on the market for lovers of cross stitch and other forms of needlework. Many of the available books however simply contain patterns and designs and so are aimed more at the advanced cross stitcher as opposed to the beginner.

The Cross Stitcher's Bible however, is a fantastic book for beginners and experts alike. It contains an incredible amount of information in its 128 pages so that everybody can achieve perfect results, even on their first attempt at the art of cross stitch. The book, written by Jane Greenoff, is laid out in three separate sections, each of which includes in-depth and essential information as well as a huge number of helpful tips for getting the most out of your work.

Section 1 is ideal for newbie's as it looks at the basics of cross stitch. This includes such topics as learning to read a chart, which can be one of the most off-putting but nevertheless essential techniques when taking up cross stitch as a hobby. Once the beginner has learned to read a chart the section goes on to describe the equipment, threads and fabrics a beginner will need to start stitching simple designs.

The author compares different stitches and how pieces look when stitched onto different fabrics so that the beginner can get a feel for the materials and how they affect the final look of the design. The section ends with an explanation of the stitches that are commonly used and a demonstration of how they are composed. The full colour photographs provide clear step by step instructions so that the different stitches and how they are made can be seen.

Section 2 delves deeper into the art of cross stitch for the time when beginners gain more confidence and feel ready to tackle something a little more challenging. It includes information on alternative types of thread such as metallic thread and variegated thread in addition to explaining about the variety of fabrics that are available on the market today and when they should be used.

Advanced techniques are covered too so the reader can try her hand at the more creative aspects of cross stitch, such as three dimensional cross stitch. There is also a lot of information on alternative types of stitching that can be used to give a completely different look to the design.

The final section takes the art of cross stitch even further and explains how to use charms, beads and buttons in the work to give it an intricate and very personal look.

No book on cross-stitch would be complete without a patterns library. True to form The Cross Stitchers Bible does not let you down in this respect with its extensive  variety of beautiful designs. These range from very basic to more advanced projects so that readers will have plenty to do even as they progress.

A separate stitch library provides a comprehensive list of the common stitches and also the more specialized stitches that any cross stitcher will want to know.

In addition there are also instructions for cleaning and framing finished pieces so that any beginner can make their first project extra special.

Overall this is a great book that every newbie should consider purchasing if they want to advance from the basic cross stitch patterns onto more intricate and impressive designs.

This single book will last throughout the learning curve and will still prove to be highly useful years later. It is a fantastic reference book that can be dipped into whenever the need arises, regardless of whether you are a beginner or a seasoned cross stitcher.