Book Review
As the knitting craze continues to spread and grow through all
the age groups The Jumbo Book of Needlecrafts is a perfect resource
for child's exploration of needlework. Not only are there knitting
projects in this book but there also instructions for crochet, embroidery,
quilting and sewing crafts. You certainly get your money’s
worth with over fifty needlecrafts as well as the other ideas sections
included for some of the projects (i.e. the Quilted organizer).
Another bonus is the must read section at the beginning of the book
on basics supplies, choosing and using fabric and sewing basics.
The Jumbo Book of Needlecrafts is broken up into chapters based
on the aforementioned different types of needlework. Each chapter
starts off with a section on the materials and techniques required
for the projects in that section, related to that type of needlework
(hints and tips for knitting section, crochet techniques and stitches,
getting ready to embroider and embroidery stitches, quilting stitches
and sewing machine basics and sewing stitches). As new techniques
arise in the chapters they are explained within the appropriate
project (i.e. fusible web appliqué used for Hopscotch lap
quilt). I really like that techniques and stitches used throughout
The Jumbo Book of Needlecrafts that were demonstrated elsewhere
in the book are referred back to with a page number in brackets.
The organization of the projects in this book, the instructions
and the demonstration of the techniques required for the projects
are for the most part very handy. The only thing I didn’t
like was some of the patterns for embroidery were included at the
end of the chapter instead of with the related projects like the
rest of the patterns in that chapter. I really like the way the
techniques are broken down and the steps are clearly demonstrated
and labelled so those learning how to crochet can see what the finished
product is supposed to look like as they progress. The illustrations
are very clear and realistic as are the step-by-step instructions.
I like the clear and practical language used (i.e. in the slipknot
section of learning to crochet, the shape of the yarn is described
as looking like a pretzel). This type of description is amusing
and relevant, making the instructions fun and easy to follow. |
