Embroidery. (Kids Can Do It). Judy Ann Sadler. Illustrated by June Bradford. Toronto, ON: Kids Can, 2004. 40 pp., pbk. & cl., $6.95 (pbk.), $14.95 (cl.). ISBN 1-55337-617-X (pbk.), ISBN 1-55337-616-1 (cl.). Subject Heading: Embroidery-Juvenile literature. Grades 4-7 / Ages 9-12. Review by Lorraine Douglas. **** /4

excerpt:

Embroidery is like drawing with a needle and thread. Just about any design you can imagine can be stitched onto paper, fabric, or clothing. There are hundreds of embroidery stitches, but you need to know only a few to create some amazing designs. In this book you will find all the instructions you need to make many neat projects as well as ideas for personalizing and decorating your clothes.

Judy Ann Sadler is the author of many popular crafts books including The Kids Can Press Jumbo Book of Easy Crafts (Kids Can, 2001) and Knitting (Kids Can, 2002). In her latest step-by-step guide, she shows how kids can make neat stuff with a needle and thread, including a fleece blanket, embroidered greeting cards, a CD carrying pouch and a cross-stitch lady bug magnet. The ideas are straightforward, inexpensive and very appealing.

     She begins by explaining the supplies needed and how you can get started by threading a needle and tying knots. Then she introduces 12 basic embroidery stitches like the blanket stitch, the French knot, and the lazy daisy. Each of the projects is carefully explained with a clear colour photo of the completed project and careful colour drawings of each step. The projects are arranged in a progression of difficulty, and several of the ideas, like the decorated jeans, would interest an adult embroiderer. The final two projects are done in cross-stitch. They are accompanied by excellent instructions and illustrations on how to follow a graph for cross-stitch fabric. Rounding out the book are more ideas for projects and graphed motifs, borders and an alphabet. The author also suggests adult help when appropriate for safety considerations.

Highly Recommended.

An artist and writer who lives in Winnipeg, MB, Lorraine Douglas is also a board member of the Canadian Children's Book Centre.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

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