Spirit of Cross Stitch Video Library: Stitch Reference Guide

Think of this tape as a 1990's version of the old-fashioned sampler. Jean Farish Huls teaches 34 basic embroidery stitches, encouraging viewers to make their own practice pieces in order to learn each technique. Each stitch "family" is first titled on-screen, then individual stitches are pointed out in a wide variety of finished projects, and finally demonstrated via computer animation with clear voice-over narration. Excellent close-ups, lucid descriptions, and easy-to-follow demonstrations make this a very useful program. The series name is a bit of a misnomer since titles in the 15 tape series teach a wide variety of embroidery techniques, not just cross stitch. This particular video, however, stands alone (though projects from other tapes are used as illustrations). Even libraries that already have Shay Pendray's The Embroidery Studio series will want to consider adding this. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (R. Reagan)