CLASSIC NEEDLEWORK: Contemporary Designs Inspired by the American Past

The dozen patterns illustrated here for counted-thread and free-embroidery are easy on the eye although less attractive than the 18th- and 19th-century originals on which they're based. Most distinctive are the needlepoint chair seat, taken from a William Morris wallpaper pattern, and a petit-point picture, modeled on a Blazing Star quilt; an embroidered place mat and picture frame, inspired by a painted tin document box, are also appealing. Grow provides samples of the stitches needed as well as instructions for transferring the designs to canvas, blocking techniques, and upholstering (with step-by-step photographs).