Start to Stitch

Tunbridge Wells, Search Press, 2013 ISBN: 978-1-84448-907-7

What a lovely gift this book would be for youngsters showing any signs of interest in stitching. It is designed and set out to appeal to those aged from about nine to mid-teens; it does have a very strong bias towards girls, which, I feel, is a bit of a lost opportunity…
The four stitching crafts the book covers are appliqué, embroidery, patchwork and quilting. One of the sentences near the beginning of the introduction gives an apt definition of the projects to come – ‘All four crafts involve decorating fabrics, or using fabrics as decorations themselves.’ The illustrations are bright and most of the projects are funky and will really appeal to the age group the book has been written for. There is a short but succinct definition of each of the four crafts, followed by a section on materials which also suggests experimenting but explains a few possible pitfalls. The instructions are well illustrated and well written with beginners in mind.
The section for each technique starts with a lively explanation and a personal ‘take’ on the writer’s own experiences with it. There are repeated safety alerts inside small bright yellow boxes where these are necessary, for example, ‘always have an adult with you when you are ironing.’ There are also ‘Top Tips!’ inside pink boxes. An example I like … ‘When ironing fusible web, make sure the glue side is down.’ I would have added, use baking paper in case! Blue circles have ‘Funky Facts’ inside them. Did you know that in France a French knot is le point de noed? That means ‘the spot where the knot is’. These colourful little alerts throughout the book add to its interest and appeal by breaking up the text. Each project concludes with a (purple) ‘What next?’ suggesting ways a design may be modified.
I feel the appliqué and embroidery sections are stronger than the patchwork and quilting ones, but over all this is a delightfully produced book which should get young stitchers enthused and encourage them to become independent needleworkers and designers. There are copies in the Auckland Public Libraries system if you want to check it out before buying it for your special young person. Book Depository has it for $25.09, which includes postage to New Zealand addresses.
Erica