The Craft of Temari / C by Mary Wood

by Mary Wood

Book Overview

Temari is the ancient Japanese art of stitching and wrapping threads on to the surface of a ball to create brilliantly-colored embroidered shapes. With more than 200 design ideas, Mary Wood shares her... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0855326530
• ISBN13: 9780855326531
• Release Date: May 1991
• Publisher: Search Press
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 1.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 7.6" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

fabulous designs

i own four other temari books. for me, margaret ludlow's has the best instructions and anna diamond's some wonderful pattern ideas. but for variety and inspiration, this is the best.instructions are given for the most basic form of each design. the photos, which are very good, give examples of more elaborate variations of each design, of combinations of designs, and of possible filler stitches. patterns are shown in more than one color scheme, which nicely illustrates the difference color can make.i have two minor complaints about the instructions. i think the author should have shown more pins used for some of the designs. i am an experienced stitcher, but i can't trust my eye to find the right spot to stitch on a curved object without a marker, and accuracy is essential for these designs. and i would have liked to have seen a bit more instruction on the herringbone stitch for beginners, as well as pointers for keeping the thread flat and even in the spindle design. those minor issues aside, this is an excellent book for design ideas.

Great Temari Book

I'm new at Temari and found this book very helpful. The diagrams and pictures are great. Everyone should buy it if they have an interest in Temari.

A Must- Have

Beginner or more experienced, this is by far the most useful and inspirational English language Temari book. Rather than teaching a pattern as a titled project, Wood teaches the basic pattern and presents several pages of photos using the pattern... you are limited only by your imagination. Multiple color photos along with clear diagrams support the text; Wood presents traditional techniques and methods so that you can stitch projects from the book, apply them to other designs, and also have the foundations to create your own designs. Wood writes in proper British English, but it's a clear and smooth flow, quite delightful. This is the book that most commonly gets recommended through the TalkTemari/Temarikai.com discussion list, and if you can only afford one Temari book, this is the that will do you best.

Inspiration and Variations

In the tradition of the best English embroiderers Mary Wood provides examples and inspiration for this fascinating type of needlework. Particularly helpful are the variety of examples of the design possibilities, inspiring one to try out different colors and design variations. I was able to copy a complicated pattern from an advanced Japanese book on temari by the understanding of design elements I gleaned from Mary Wood. This is not for those who need to be led through each step of the process, but a continuing source of inspiration, the book I keep coming back to for ideas.

Temari enthusiasts should own this one!

Mary Wood has a nice approach to this art from Japan. This book is not for the beginner but after you have a few under your "obi" you should be able to do her lovely and intricate designs. She features a section on making temari for jewelry and other uses. Overall a nice book and should be in your library.