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pixie_d's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.25
So glad I stumbled on this during my first Jane Austen July readathon! I think this book will continue to be a valuable resource to anyone reading Georgian/Regency writers who wants to know what they were reading and how they lived and dressed. There was Jane Austen + family biographical information that was new to me, and a deep dive into The Lady's Magazine that might be new even to a Janeite.
An equally important group of readers who would love this book is anyone who wants to make useful projects with the charming embroidery patterns that Batchelor discovered in the magazines. The projects, including a sewing set, a couple of bags, a tablecloth and more, were adapted and created by her co-author Alison Larkin. You might like to see how to work an antique hem stitch on a set of handmade napkins. I'm not a needlewoman, but I know what looks good! Even if the projects are something that you, like me, don't feel up to, they are lovely to look at. Patterns embroidered with silk thread on silk look so much better than what so many of us have probably tried at some point in our lives.
An equally important group of readers who would love this book is anyone who wants to make useful projects with the charming embroidery patterns that Batchelor discovered in the magazines. The projects, including a sewing set, a couple of bags, a tablecloth and more, were adapted and created by her co-author Alison Larkin. You might like to see how to work an antique hem stitch on a set of handmade napkins. I'm not a needlewoman, but I know what looks good! Even if the projects are something that you, like me, don't feel up to, they are lovely to look at. Patterns embroidered with silk thread on silk look so much better than what so many of us have probably tried at some point in our lives.
carriedoodledoo's review against another edition
3.0
3.5, perhaps more when I try to follow the directions. I wouldn't use all the projects in here, but I found several that I would enjoy making for myself or as a special gift. Some of the techniques are not so commonly in useage these days, so I think I'd enjoy learning them.
abbzreads's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
crazytourists_books's review
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed this book; I learnt about a different side of Jane Austen, and the fashion of her time and I am definitely going to adapt a few of the oattetns of the book for my own "projects".
I did appreciate the modernisation of the patterns, but I would have loved to see the original designs and objects.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is into fashion or embroidery.
I did appreciate the modernisation of the patterns, but I would have loved to see the original designs and objects.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is into fashion or embroidery.
annieb123's review against another edition
5.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Jane Austen Embroidery is a tutorial and pattern book for projects in the Regency style of the time period. Due out 13th May 2020 from Dover, it's 160 pages and will be available in paperback format.
This is a well researched and period accurate group of projects for surface embroidery embellishment. The projects are varied and all are appealing. There are small projects (pencil case, cushion, sewing kit, and more) as well as larger projects (tablecloth, stole, muslin shawl). None of these is outside the ability of a keen beginner (especially if they have some available help).
The book includes a good overview over tools and supplies for surface embroidery as well as meticulously annotated discussions of the daily lives of women who lived during the period (including Jane Austen herself).
There are abundant links and resources for further reading. The pictured finished projects use silks but the authors have included a conversion chart for Silk Mill, DMC, and Ancho flosses. Patterns are included in each project chapter along with illustrated construction notes.
It should be noted that this book is about surface embroidery, not cross stitch. It's lovely to see tutorials and and upswing in interest for the other fibrearts; it seems like only cross-stitch had any following for a long long time and it's nice to see surface embroidery enjoying a renaissance.
Beautiful projects. Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Jane Austen Embroidery is a tutorial and pattern book for projects in the Regency style of the time period. Due out 13th May 2020 from Dover, it's 160 pages and will be available in paperback format.
This is a well researched and period accurate group of projects for surface embroidery embellishment. The projects are varied and all are appealing. There are small projects (pencil case, cushion, sewing kit, and more) as well as larger projects (tablecloth, stole, muslin shawl). None of these is outside the ability of a keen beginner (especially if they have some available help).
The book includes a good overview over tools and supplies for surface embroidery as well as meticulously annotated discussions of the daily lives of women who lived during the period (including Jane Austen herself).
There are abundant links and resources for further reading. The pictured finished projects use silks but the authors have included a conversion chart for Silk Mill, DMC, and Ancho flosses. Patterns are included in each project chapter along with illustrated construction notes.
It should be noted that this book is about surface embroidery, not cross stitch. It's lovely to see tutorials and and upswing in interest for the other fibrearts; it seems like only cross-stitch had any following for a long long time and it's nice to see surface embroidery enjoying a renaissance.
Beautiful projects. Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
frommito's review against another edition
5.0
This was a lovely book filled with historical textile information and beautiful patterns.
brinastewart's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed all the historical information that Batchelor gave about patterns and explaining how they changed it to some of the items in the book. I look forward to making my first piece... whenever that will be :-)