The Big Book of Cross-Stitch Designs: Over 900 Simple-To-Stitch Decorative Motifs

This book would be great if you wanted to place them on an item to decorate it. Most are smaller designs. 900 designs is a lot of stitching :)

I was browsing the library when I came across this book. I am a first-time cross stitcher and have fallen in love with this book. Finally had to buy it! I recommend it for anyone just starting out!

Most of the time when I open a cross stitch book I find some basic instructions, occassional additional stitch instructions, supplies, materials and then a selection of motifs or samplers etc. Usually the chapters cover the types of motifs used in the book or specific pieces of work. Sometimes they go by themes. Many times I find a piece here and there, perhaps several pieces, that I want to make. This book is different. It is exceptional in almost every area. I found myself lingering over most of the pages and wondering which design to do first. The focus is on presentation. Sometimes you see the motifs on pillows, bags, clothing, samplers, table linens etc. Always, the piece is showcased to bring out the best in the design. I found the directions and the charts easy to follow although I would take the book to Kinkos and have the charts enlarged. They are color coded but also symbol coded and that can be hard to read in the smaller print size required to fit the book. This is a beautiful book and very interesting. The choices are novel, not "Ha Ha." The selection is extrordinary. It is a collection of the best of the best and the pieces are simple. The motifs have pizzazz. You don't see these everday. Some are designed with the option of embellishment but you can always leave this out. If you can only afford one cross stitch book and want to do more contemporary work, or use bright and beautiful color get this book. If on the other hand you are looking for a muted book or a single themed book, this is not the one for you. But for most of us this would make a welcome addition to our collections. There is a bit of everything here. It features lots of variety in many categorys. The floral section and the Samplers alone are well worth the price of the book and you get so very much more. It's like openning a package on Christmas morning and finding exactly the right gift inside. However, it is a bit shy on the alphabet choices. Oh well, I guess you can't have everything in one book or we wouldn't buy any others. I'm drawn to the unique Samplers. The are lovely and you can lift the unusual motifs and use them very successfully on their own. So, I like this book very much and I think it will get a great deal of use.

I was hesitant to get this book because of the negative review, so I went to the bookstore to check it out in person, and I loved it so much I purchased it right then and there! I am fairly to new to cross stitch, and I have not found this book to be hard to follow at all. I have this book as well as the other book that the other reviewer mentioned, the Better Homes and Gardens Book, and I have to say that there really is no comparison. To compare the 2 books is not really comparing apples to apples---the Better HOmes and Gardens book is mini motifs, and it is an excellent book, but so is this book, and it is not filled with mini motifs but larger designs that could go on pillows, etc. This book has truely beautiful patterns with everything from flowers to alphabets and everything in between. Each project has a full color photograph with a project idea, as well as suggestions for other project ideas. A lot of cross stitch books can be quite kitschy, but I have not found this book to be kitschy at all---many of the patterns are very elegant and modern. Sure there are some cutesy patterns, but those are the patterns that are meant to be cutesy --- like baby and children stuff. I love the variety, the photos, the clear diagrams, everything about this book. Another wonderful feature of this book is that for every project there is a list with DMC and Anchor floss#'s, and also a table that tells you what size your project will be stitched on different size fabrics. That is so awesome! LOVE THIS BOOK!

Just beautiful. Im making projects already. Big and little, huge color charts color coded. Huge book, lots to do. I've been cross stitching for 25 years and I can tell you this is a winner.

I checked this out from the library to get some new ideas for gifts. The designs are gorgeous-- lots of color pictures of each design and how they can be used as gifts. Most of the designs are fairly simple (or quick) even for the beginner, but are also beautiful and well-illustrated. If you are a beginner, (I'm an intermediate stitcher)get this book! I learned some new stitches I didn't understand how to do. Now I'm going to buy it!