The New Crewel: Exquisite Designs in Contemporary Embroidery

The New Crewel,I wasn't sure what to expect out of a craft book especially one from Amazon that I hadn't had the chance to flip through before I purchased. I am so happy I took a chance on this book. It's an excellent book when it comes to teaching, and it takes a very old style and puts a modern spin on it. I love it. When you first open the book it gives a brief history of crewel work, basics, and then it shows step by step picture of stitches. Which is excellent if you need the visual. This covers the first 31 pages of the book. Everything after that is the "Design Gallery". Which I enjoy seeing how they've made crewel truly modern. I love the inspiration I've garnished from the book.Thinking about purchasing? Its good if you looking to learn crewel stitches. If your already experienced sewing, and your not looking for a reference book then save your money. If you need inspiration save yourself the money and go to your local book store or library and thumb through it.I love embroidery but I truly prefer machine embroidery but I love crewel. I keep this book as a reference book.

In my youth, I used enjoy doing embroidery projects, but grew bored with the typical imagery associated with the techniques involved (pillowcases and linen dishtowels - ugh). So I put it away until recently when I saw the renewed interest probably due to artists like Ms. Shaughnessy. This book encouraged me to create my own images using various types of thread (discussed in the materials and tools section). The stitches used and developed by the author, who focused on crewel when she was younger, is artistically stimulating. The author's amazing work is creative and so often draws your eye across the work as one would do with a classic painting in a museum. In addition, her discussion on the history of crewel (too brief IMHO) evokes the thread artistry tradition from the past to the "new" work of today. This book provides an excellent way to bring the passion back to thread art (crewel, embroidery).

I loved this book with its quirky designs. I was a bit afraid of crewel work until I read this book; it's easy & fun. All projects are very "do-able" and a lot of them can be done quickly with a minimum of fuss; ideal for a weekend & great for gifts. You don't need to have an extensive stash of threads to do these projects (although what embroiderer doesn't!!)which makes them affordable. Katherine has terrific suggestions for some of the designs & the book has funny anecdotes & tips & hints spread out through its beautifully illustrated pages. I can see this book becoming a firm favorite of mine.

I love the clear, clean design style of the patterns in this book, especially the designs that are based on plants. Although I have dabbled in lots of fiber related projects i.e. quilting, weaving, spinning, knitting, sewing, embroidery, I haven't really done any crewel work and wasn't too motivated to give it a go until now. The author gives simple, clear instructions. The projects are small and approachable and I can think of many uses for most of these designs in the work I do. Some of the designs may seem too abstract or simple if you are into a more traditional type of crewel work, but that's probably what really attracted me to them.

This is an excellent choice for the very early beginner as well as someone with experience. I believe it would be rather appealing to anyone seeking to apply an old style art form to new modern designs. I also believe this book would encourage a younger person to take up (or at least try) crewel or embroidery - especially if older or more traditional designs and patterns have been a turn off.

Great fun to look at. Stretched my imagination.However not one project is anything I'd like to make or adapt.Additionally, the "satin stitch" is greatly overused and the styles area bit distasteful to *me*. Doesn't mean they wouldn't beinteresting to others!I'm keeping it.....I have a library of craft and creative inspirationbooks from which my three teen-grandgirls borrow often for theirprojects and their crafts and I'm going to be interestedto see if any of them use or adapt anythingfrom _The New Crewel_.

I got a chance to flip through this book before I bought it, so I was aware of what I was buying beforehand. I love the fact that this is out there. There is not a lot of new crewel that I've seen. This book is so inspiring. But ironically, I think it's inspiring in the sense that it will lead me to go and create my own new crewel designs. Anyway, I do really love the book. It's getting me to start with crewel and that was really the intention.

I was looking for ideas for a simple crewel project for the summer and ordered this book sight unseen and I am greatly disappointed. There are some projects but they're nothing I don't think ANYONE could have likely figured out on their own with a stitch dictionary and a little bit of time. There was all of one project idea I might ever do and while it's very simple and beginner friendly the designs are all very similar and well, not to my taste. I'm inclined to say only pick this up if you're new to the craft and would like some fast more modern looking projects to learn on. Anyone with some background in embroidery or who is looking for project art and ideas they wouldn't come up with themselves with a pen and five minutes give this book a miss.

Good crewel instructions in this second hand embroidery book. I was amused to see where it came from - a county library in Minnesota USA!! Good recycling!!

A crafters handbook.

Lovely book with very modern designs.

I bought this book after taking it out at the library several times. I love the modern look of the designs and their simplicity. I would recommend it for beginners and experienced embroiderers looking for something a bit different.

Good resource