This book differs from the usual cross-stitch book format in that the individual patterns are all designed to be enlarged or decreased in size according to the fabric they are worked on, while the cross-stitch itself can be worked in various threads including metallics, silks and overdyed threads.
The method for calculating the fabric required for an individual project is clearly described, with an invaluable table giving the most suitable combinations of threads and fabrics. Thus a motif can be easily adapted for use on a woollen jumper over waste canvas, for inclusion on a miniature box lid on silk gauze, or worked in the traditional way on counted cross-stitch fabric.
It is both encouraging for beginners and satisfying for those who have mastered traditional cross-stitch. Readers are encouraged to experiment with fabric painting, beading and framing to create their own unique projects.
The designs, based on Australian birds, animals and flowers, include a lyrebird with gold metallic fanned tail, shells in variegated threads, borders of Sturt's desert peas, bauera daisies and penguins, beaded gum blossoms, wattle, native berries, marsupial mice, a numbat, and superb blue wrens. Graphs and colour photographs for each design and project are included.
