Sampler Motif Book: With Traditional Cross-Stitch Designs and Alphabets

This suprised me. I expected more from Brenda Keyes than was in this book. I don't know whether it was the Editor's at Reader's Digest that "Missed," or Brenda herself but this book lacks a lot of what I was expecting. There are some nice historical motifs, and interesting information on what they represent in stitching. Also, some mildly interesting samplers but nothing like I've seen Brenda do in the past. This is a "tired" book. I could be wrong but it looks as if someone got in there and censured her choices. You might want to check out Brenda's book "Traditional Samplers" and see if you agree before making a decission. "Traditional Samplers," was published in 1998 as opposed to 1995 for the first. Two other historical books I enjoy are "Elizabethan Cross Stitch," by Barbara Hammet, a beautiful book using contemporary flair and historical style, and "The Cross Stitcher's Bible Project Book," by Jane Greenoff, follow up to "The New Cross Stitcher's Bible," also by Jane, and a book that I find essential. One note about these books. Jane's books are also essentially contemporary and include many different stitch types but rely mainly on Cross Stitch. However, the motif's themselves have an historical feel even if they aren't. All of these books are from the UK. These authors know their stitching and teach it well. We may need to use different resources but there are many US sources for supplies and these distributors are often very accessible and willing to answer questions.

The only thing wrong with this book is that it is 25 years old and many of the photo's and projects reflect that fact. Still full of great information.

I am a sampler addict!!!!! I read a few of the reviews here and I think that in some cases allowance is not made for the experience level of the stitcher. Everyone has to start somewhere. I stitch on an expert level but still found this book beautiful and charming. It would make a very nice reference book for any library and really should not be overlooked. The motifs although not complicated are many and can be used to create quite a complex overall design. In my area needlework is a dying art, so I love when I have the chance to talk/teach and I have passed around this book. It is especially nice to talk about what some the designs meant to a stitcher 100 years ago and what designs a stitcher today would put on their sampler.

If you're looking for motifs (versus a large project), this is a nice book. And even in the larger projects, such as samplers, you can pull motifs out of the project for smaller uses. There is a nice variety of subjects, from bookmarks, bands, cherubs, nursery items, birds and carnations, a sampler of trees (my favorite), crowns, and so on, as well as projects such as samplers, a flora and fauna box with lid, an initialed needle case lid, strawberry pin cushion, pillowcase, glasses case, and so on. At the back of the book, there are sections entitled "Finishing Techniques," "Stitch Directory," and "Conversion Chart" (Anchor and DMC threads). All in all, this is a good collection. I bought a good used copy, so it was well worth the value.

Lots of projects, clear graphs, lovely little designs

This book has a focus on motifs found in samplers and small designs for different things. Great price and a good reference book too.

Very happy with my purchase.

Amazing. Love the patterns.

This was a present for my sister, who seemed very pleased with it.

plenty of ideas for sewing a traditional sampler, or making something unusual. lots of inspiration.

Lovely book with good ideas

Very good condition. Great charts

Lovely book and very useful