Subversive Cross Stitch: 33 Designs for Your Surly Side

While wandering through an antique store one day, I saw an aged, framed cross stitch pattern which said "No one likes a smart mouth" surrounded by the usual flowers and patterns. This caused me to wonder if there were any available patterns with similar or stronger sentiments. After an internet search, I stumbled upon the author's website and was immediately in love with the concept and the designs. Simple to the point of annoyance for anyone beyond beginner level, this book presents more of an attitude towards cross-stitching than a compendium of patterns. A beginner (or someone like myself who learned in home economics 20+ years ago) will find everything they need to begin cranking out cranky designs which will find hilarity with like minded people. Advanced stitchers will still enjoy (if that is your type of humor) the dichotomy of traditional fluffy-bunny designs with road-rage sayings and can apply the ideas to more complicated patterns of their choosing. All in all, this may not be for everyone, but for a dude looking for something to occupy his hands after quitting smoking, this was perfect. I know what everyone is getting for the holidays from me! Well, not Grandma...

I've been wanting to learn how to cross stitch, but what's the point if you can't create something that you'll actually like? It's tough to be a young, crafty person in a place where crafts are mostly left up to grandma! Enter Subversive Cross Stitch. Finally, something i'm actually interested in cross stitching. With Julie's easy to follow instructions, i was cross stitching "Go F*** Yourself" in no time! The finished projects are something that you'll want to decorate your apartment with and also give away to your irony loving friends as well. Absolutely give this book a try, but don't get it for grandma!

I'm a stitcher. I belong to the Embroidery Guild, and I've viewed beautiful and very ornate cross stitch samplers. I think I must be a little off base. I saw the Subversive cross stitch link off of Bust magazine, and clicked on it. I knew I had found my calling. Then I discovered the link to the book. I promptly ordered it. What an amazing cross stitch book. Probably one of the best book of charts I own. Certainly they make the most sense. When you've worked all day and been slave-driven, do you really want to work on something ornate and complicated, at home, by a very promiment French cross stitch designer, or do you just want to go home and scream some of the sentiments in the book, while...playing the Clash? Truely, you CAN play the remastered Clash CD's, and make a cross stitch design from this book, at the same time. You can't do that very well, with ornate samplers, no matter how small. They do not have the same feeling of honesty, as these charts. While looking through the book, I laughed and laughed and laughed. Yes, these charts are for real. Yes, you are allowed to stitch that word. Go ahead, and stitch that word, too. Liberate your thread and needle! Liberate your 28 count linen, and your 14 count aida cloth. Make your DMC scream. Cause if you have this book, you can display how you really feel!

Chock full o' modern-day, what-you-really-want-to-say aphorisms, this book is a blast - even if you're not a x-stitcher (and I'm not, altho' instructions and patterns are included). Hate treacle? Then you'll love this one. Plus, the grandma-y borders featuring bunnies, birds, hearts and squirrels add a splash of irony. There are plenty of folks on my Christmas list who will find this snarky little book under their trees this year! Happy #@% & holidays, I say! (FYI: While I strongly recommend this gift book to you cynical grown-ups, do note that the messages aren't exactly kid-friendly!)

I love to Cross Stitch, but the cutesy patterns you find in most stitch shops and craft stores just aren't my thing. Wasn't I lucky to stumble upon ths awesome book where my homey side can meet my inner b*tch. My workmates are fighting over this one. All I can say is if you stitch- - get it!!! Instructions are included and they are terrific.