Simply the best embroidery book I have read. Highly recommend. ( )

Having all eight volumes in one book has good and bad points. This is really very big and heavy to use as a guide while stitching. On the other hand, it uses less shelf space, and is convenient for referring to different types of embroidery. As each book was written by a different writer, they vary a lot in how useful they are to me, however each writer seems excited by the particular type she is writing about, and that is important.

This book is not really for beginners, although it includes a lot of good information skipped in many beginner's books. I was fascinated by the way starting and finishing a thread varies from one area to another, and sometimes even within a volume depending on what is being stitched. Most beginners will miss being walked through projects. While some volumes include one or two projects that experienced needlewomen could copy, the information is too sketchy for beginners to follow.

Needlewomen who want to try their own designs will find both inspiration and encouragement from the whole book.

For what it's worth, the Whitework chapter left me feeling inadequate. The Beadwork made me want to stop all my current projects and start beading. ( )

Very much a classic. Particularly good at blending and shading techniques, as seen on the cover. ( )