Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Stitching Book Review: Improper Cross Stitch

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Title: Improper Cross-Stitch
Author: Haley Pierson-Cox
Genre: Cross Stitch Patterns
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

With only 32 pages in my ARC (of the over 100 pages) I really can't tell you a lot about this book except that what I saw for patterns were not all that inspired. There are much funnier and more engaging books out there with inappropriate cross stitch patterns. 
I also felt that the introduction to cross stitch instructions were not as comprehensive or useful as I would have liked. There is talk of even weave vs open weave which I found odd. No one calls it open weave anymore. Usually we are talking about linen, evenweave and Aida. So I'm not sure why the author chose to use the more technical definitions here instead of just talking about the supplies that are commonly available these days.

Yes the charts are all full colour and charted for DMC. But what cross stitch books aren't these days? For a hardcover book, based on what I saw I would not purchase this one. Just nothing inspired or interesting enough for me. 

I can say that, as an experienced stitcher, this book has charts that are all appropriate for the beginner level. Nothing too difficult. Everything I saw had regular cross stitches or some backstitch in it. So if you want to start someone off whose never ever stitched this is not a terrible choice. Just give them better instructions than are at the front of this book and they should be fine. 
It's too bad this one wasn't better as I love crazy, fun and inappropriate cross stitch. I've stitched more than my fair share of hearts, flowers, etc.; as have most long time stitchers so I'm always up for something different, appropriate or not. But I suppose not every book can be a winner. 

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

2 comments:

Leonore Winterer said...

My problem with 'improper' patterns is that most of them are either too tame or too vulgar for my tastes, but I guess that's a personal problem...but I don't have any idea what 'open weave' is supposed to mean!

Suz said...

With so many snarky/subversive/improper/rude cross stitch site and publishers, I think the market might even be oversaturated at this point.
Thank you for the review! :)