Better homes and gardens treasury of needlecrafts (Better homes and gardens books)

By Better Homes and Gardens

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• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 069600755X
• ISBN13: 9780696007552
• Release Date: January 1982
• Publisher: Better Homes & Garde
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 3.35 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Full-color retro happiness!

This 1982 compilation of previously published home decor crafts from various Better Homes & Gardens magazines includes more projects (100+) than they could individually list in the Table of Contents. The 6 main chapters are: - Patchwork & Quilting - Applique - Crocheting & Knitting - Needlepoint - Embroidery - Rugmaking A few of the projects are designs recreated from the turn of the 19th century (Embroidered Tablecloth p.340, rendered in a large scale for the hippie era), while most of the projects fall squarely into the 1970s and early 1980s -- the aesthetics of which range from "garishly evocative" (Shisha Stitchery - Embroidered Fish p.392)to "non-offensive enough for use today" (Hardanger Place Mat and Napkin p.376). The Index is mediocre at best, and rather blandly references individual projects by crafting technique ("Knitting") or item type ("Pillow"). Instructions are well-edited, clear, thorough, and concise, although designating Rows or Rounds could have been typographically distinct (boldface or small caps) for extra readability. Charts (most require enlarging to actual size) are crisp & superb, in 2 colors: light blue for the grid, and black for design. Basic instructions for each major technique feature clear diagrams. Other techniques such as latch hooking, off-loom weaving, "speed hooking" (punch needle on a jumbo scale), macrame, and sewing machine-couched fringe include cursory text instructions or a diagram on its basics. The main issue that disturbs me about books of this kind is that the original project designers remain anonymous, their names lost forever in the filing cabinets of history. If you don't make any of the projects, this book is at least good for research into late 20th century craft decor, with all photographs in full color.