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Stitch Graffiti

Old-fashioned ABC samplers are nowhere to be found in this collection of 26 stylish and witty designs that give cross-stitch a forceful new look. Unconventional wall hangings fill the first section of the book and dazzle with their bold colors, unusual lettering, and offbeat quotes from songs, books, movie dialogue, and even truck stop bathrooms. A second group of patterns features intriguing, small designs called "tattoos" to sew on T-shirts, jean jackets, bracelets, and handbags, and a final section shifts to the decoration of household items such as pillows, dish towels, and a cloth-wrapped money jar. Each project is accompanied by commentary explaining the inspiration behind the design, and sidebars offer tips for personalizing the final product by adding beads, dyed fabric backgrounds, or frames made from hardware and found objects. Basic technique demos teach beginners how to form cross-stitches, mix cross-stitch with other embroidery, choose and use embroidery thread, stitch on linen, and work out designs on blank graphs.

Paperback: 112 pages

Publisher: Interweave (April 1, 2008)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1596680458

ISBN-13: 978-1596680456

Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches

Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces

Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #990,955 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #416 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies > Needlecrafts & Textile Crafts > Cross-Stitch

I've been waiting for Stitch Graffiti for a while, and I certainly wasn't disappointed! I love Heather Holland-Daly's designs, and if you haven't seen them before, check out her website: [...] (and no I'm not getting royalties for talking her up). She uses brilliant colors and eclectic designs, often quoting poetry or music in her peices. Her patterns are funky, youthful, and fresh - without being tacky.The book has an obligatory cross stitch lesson in the beginning, but further on, she assumes that if you're buying a book about cross stitch you're either going to know a little bit about it or refer back to the guide in the beginning if you don't - she doesn't talk down to the experienced stitcher. The majority of the book is patterns, both small and large, and ideas about where to stitch. Not everything has to go into a frame. Her patterns are relatively simple, but still beautiful. There are a few that could be done in a few hours, and a few that would take me more than a month. She doesn't cram her book with piddly little projects that just take up space!One of the things I probably appreciated the most in Holland-Daly's book was the DMC conversion on each of her patterns. She uses hand-dyed and threads and cloth (and gives some good advice on how to finish and care for work using these materials) and recommends her favorites for each pattern, but also gives DMC thread "equivalents" for those of us who might not have access to special materials.This is a very accessible book for the beginning stitcher and a breath of fresh air for the stitcher who's tired of making the same old samplers. Get brave with your cross stitch!

I'll be honest, I ordered this by mistake. I had been looking at a few embroidery books and ditzily clicked on the wrong one.I'm rather glad I did. The book is put together well, with a nice overview of the basics of cross-stitch before heading into the patterns. Colors and placement are suggested... but the idea seems to be take Heather's initial plans and run with them. Some of the patterns are not in my own taste (frankly, I don't see myself making a cross-stitched flyswatter, but hey, that's just me.) but others will be motifs I'll be using for years (her wind design is already going onto a well loved denim jacket for this spring). In addition to well written directions and clear cut graphs, the book has a ton of unique placement suggestions and even some MP3 playlists to keep you in tune with your stitching.If you aren't looking for cutesy sampler patterns (there are a few... but she does avoid the old standbys and tries for some new ground) and want to go beyond wall art needlepoint, this is a pretty good place to start. Patches, buttons, and hidden suprises for your favorite old pair of jeans are all supplied.If you are looking for complicated color patterns however, I'd give it a miss. The author relies more on varigated threads and multi-hued backgrounds to add sparkle to her designs. A good way for begingers to get some extra bang for their buck when first stepping into the cross-stitch world.

I bought this book because I recently got into cross stitching. I thought this would have some cute, slightly more challenging patterns I'd like. Based on the other reviews, it sounded like something I would like. Not cross stitches I'd find in my grandmother's house. There are a few patterns that are cute. I like a lot of the backgrounds to a lot of them actually. But most of them are just plain cheesy. A "mom" tattoo like pattern.. really? A simple spider I could have found online.. a fly swatter that spells "No Fly Zone". I don't know if this book was supposed to be geared towards a younger audience (I'm 22), but most of the patterns seem that way. The one I like the most actually is the cover design & now that I've seen the rest of the book, I don't even feel like doing that. Oh well.. Maybe it'll make a good gift to a younger cross stitcher.

Heather is inspiring for a stitcher of any age. Her designs are new and innovative, some small enough to be finished in one sitting. She sees cross stitch in places where no one else has and she opens her mind - and yours - to possibilities. Worth every penny! I have been stitching for over 20 years and just love this book,a new stitcher will, too.

Most of the available cross stitch books are combined with other stitching or embroidery techniques. This book focuses only on cross stitich, which is important to me because it is only cross stitching that I am interested in. Specializing provides the reader with an array of patterns that is not available in any other book that I have come across. The patterns are great too! They are modern and stylish, without crossing the line into bizarre or offensive (as other authors have). Many of these patterns will make great gifts, but I'm not sure I will be willing to part with them! The quality and organization of the book is ideal. There is discussion in the beginning about different fabrics and tools, but this may not be the best starter book if you've never done any embroidery or stitching before. Another great feature is that the patterns do not rely on backstitching as most cross stitch kits do, and if your like me and hate backstitching, this is a huge plus! I hope the authoer comes out with a second book just like this one.

Cross Stitch: for Beginners - Cross Stitch Patterns - Cross Stitch Guide - Cross Stitch Explained for Starters (Cross Stitch Books for Dummies - Cross Stitch Tips - Cross Stitch 101) Stitch Graffiti Fast Peyote Stitch Jewelry Beaded Images II: Intricate Beaded Jewelry Using Brick Stitch Teach Yourself VISUALLY Beadwork: Learning Off-Loom Beading Techniques One Stitch at a Time Art Quilt Collage: A Creative Journey in Fabric, Paint & Stitch Just Stitches: 70 Knitting Stitch Patterns to Inspire Your Next Project (Tiger Road Crafts Book 4) 17 Printable Christmas Needlepoint Cross Stitch Patterns Counted Cross Stitch Pattern: "Flash Boy Superhero" Comic Book Hero For Kids With 9 Alphabets To Personalize Your Hero (Kids Are Heroes Series) Christmas Cross Stitch Don't Drink and Fly Counted Cross stitch pattern I Love Cross Stitch Friendship & Loving Thoughts: 17 Designs to Lift the Heart Embroidery Machine Essentials: How to Stabilize, Hoop and Stitch Decorative Designs The Perfect Basketweave Stitch for Needlepoint The Loving Stitch: A History of Knitting and Spinning in New Zealand Stitch It For Spring: Seasonal Sewing Projects to Craft and Quilt Needlework Designs for Miniature Projects: 64 Charts for Counted Cross-Stitch and Needlepoint (Dover Needlework) Devlin's Boatbuilding: How to Build Any Boat the Stitch-and-Glue Way Stitch: Satan's Fury MC Fractal Cross Stitch Patterns Volume 6