At Mr X Stitch we love to review textile art and embroidery books for you. There are so many great books to discover, packed with needlework inspiration and textile techniques, so we dive into each book to find out what’s good, what’s bad and let you know why you should pick it up.
Cross Stitch For The Earth: 20 Designs To Cherish by Emma Congdon.
Introduction
Cross Stitch for the Earth by Emma Congdon contains 20 beautifully designed cross stitch patterns with an ecological flavour. It’s a wonderful book.
About The Author
This is Emma’s second book. The first was Cross Stitch For The Soul. She began her art career with a focus on Graphic Design. We can see how this has helped her to create this book, with a focus on the designs and art of the design. Text features heavily within her work, messages and meanings are favoured. She uses DMC threads.
Who Is This Book Aimed At?
The Cross Stitcher who fancies a design with a message!
Contents
Lets have a look at the list….
We enjoyed the pure simplicity of the book, no design names are given in the listing, simply ‘design 14’ etc. We also liked the way the designs have been photographed and pasted on the opposite side so we are visually aware of what we are flicking through.
Subjects of the designs include:
- We don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children
- Pardon the weeds, we’re feeding the bees
- Leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time
- Live gently on the Earth
- Never underestimate the difference you make
- The Earth has music for those who listen
- All good things are wild and free
- Take care of the Earth and she will take care of you
- Between two pines is a doorway to a new world
- The world is full of magic
The designs look like this……
Introduction for the design and a list of what we need colour and thread wise to complete the design. Most of the designs are text related with a message, this one however isn’t!
The about the author info is at the back of this publication, the techniques and methods are all discussed too, along with helpful diagrams.
Photography
Each design is represented in a cross stitch readable format and coupled with a finished design photograph.
The designs could be framed for our own use or as a gift.
What Makes This Book Special?
Cross Stitch for the Earth as a publication is printed on FSC paper, is recyclable, and every purchase includes a donation to Friends of the Earth, an environmental campaigning community dedicated to the wellbeing and protection of the natural world. In other words, this isn’t just a book, it is a book with another purpose too!
The designs are very relevant to our times, all focused on the earth…global warming etc people!
Anything Wrong With The Book?
Well, if you don’t like cross stitch……..
Conclusion
So, what will you do with your finished pieces? You could frame them or leave them in the hoop!
Cross Stitch For The Earth: 20 Designs To Cherish is written by Emma Congdon and published by David and Charles. Get your copy today!
And in the meantime, check out our other book reviews and this awesome post on how to cross stitch faster!
