Two Cross Stitch books

Cross stitch mini motifs; vintage; more than 60 mini motifs 

Istanbul, Tuva Publishing, 2014 95 pages ISBN: 987 605 5647 64 3

This English designer has put together some truly delightful, original cross stitch motifs. Many are compact enough to work for cards – the largest is only 75 stitches long and 65 across, but most are quite small – all with lovely detail. There are gorgeous flowery hats, dresses, sweet butterflies, glamorous shoes and a few dogs (no cats though), ballet accoutrements, ditto sewing and near the end of the book some fun, funky motifs to do with film. This little book is a real treasure. The colour palette is very appealing. If you are a cross stitcher, I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I have AND an added bonus – no half stitches!

Floral Elegance: 18 beautiful cross stitch and needlepoint designs.

Istanbul, Tuva Publishing, 2011 96 pages ISBN: 978 605 5647 27 8

This is another book by Susan Bates. Like the first book, the designs are lovely – some quite traditional style, others freshly modern and again, a lovely colour palette. Several designs at the end of the book are for needlepoint. All designs, whether wool or stranded cottons, are charted for DMC. However conversion charts are plentiful on the internet should you prefer to use another brand. I worked one cross stitch motif and found that the chart grid was a bit small. My magnifier would have come in useful! This was not a problem with the first book which has larger charts. The designs worked in the book have been made into cushions, needlework accessories, cards and domestic linens. It is an appealing book but, for me, not quite as appealing as the first one.

Erica Marsden