I just got the book. OH MY GOSH I haven't been this excited about anything in a very long time!! The book is gorgeous, I am so GRATEFUL it is spiral bound (I take my quilting books to Office Depot to switch them to spiral). I've just thumbed through it, but love it already. And I just turned down lunch with friends so I could read it cover to cover during my lunch hour! --Marie JeffriesI just went through the DIY Stitch-People book and I just had to let you know it's seriously amazing! I can't wait to surprise my husband with a portrait. We have 2 standard poodles and I love the pattern for them. I can't wait to stitch them up. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible talent! --Erin FairI just had to take a minute to say how beautiful the book is! I have been cross-stitching since I was 5 (so, 32 years!), and I have stitched quite a few family portraits for family and friends since Martha Stewart Living published some templates a few years ago. But this book has completely inspired me all over again -- the ideas and variations are amazing. I stitched a family portrait for us in 2011, and I am going to do another one this year using the book. I've had so much fun paging through to find the perfect hairstyles and clothes for my kids. Also, I am a journalist by training (and therefore very picky about the written word), and I am so impressed with the quality of the book. It's been so much fun to see people embracing cross-stitch as a contemporary craft. I am a knitter too, and it seems that craft had its renaissance earlier. I'm so glad cross-stitch is "cool" now! --Becky Sher Elizabeth Dabczynski-Bean is Founder of Stitch People Lizzy was raised in upstate New York, but has long been native to Utah. A jack-of-all trades, Lizzy majored in Music Business from Brigham Young University, and currently holds jobs in technology, interior design, theater administration, graphic design, and photography, in addition to owning and running Stitch People (of Beanski, LLC.) Lizzy enjoys home improvement projects, performing at various local semi-professional theaters, and volunteering at animal shelters.
Features & Highlights
We've now released the 2nd edition of this book, which has everything in this 1st edition and more! The 2nd edition is available as a separate listing here on Amazon.Now you can make your own cross-stitch family portraits! Do-It Yourself Stitch People will not only introduce beginning embroiderers to the world of cross stitch, but also will provide hours of enjoyment to cross stitch experts. Do-It-Yourself- Stitch People contains hundreds of Stitch People designs, making thousands of design combinations available.Perfect for personal projects and thoughtful gifts, Stitch People portraits are fully customizable, down to every last detail. The text contains patterns for men, women, children, cats, dogs, and and much more, as well as information to help you compile your pattern, and frame your finished work. Using clear, easy-to-understand diagrams, pictures, and instructions, you'll see how easy it is to design and complete a professional-looking Stitch People portrait.Whether you're creating a portrait for yourself, or as a gift for a loved one, Do-It-Yourself Stitch People will have you ready to design and stitch your personal Stitch People portraits in no time! With Do-It-Yourself Stitch People you will be up and going in no time creating your own personalized Stitch People portraits!
Customer Reviews
Rating Breakdown
★★★★★
60%
(187)
★★★★
25%
(78)
★★★
15%
(47)
★★
7%
(22)
★
-7%
(-23)
Most Helpful Reviews
★★★★★
5.0
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This book is great as a how-to guide!
Update - 1/29/17 - The author graciously sent me a new copy of the book! The pages have been upgraded to a nicer, heavier, slicker paper stock and the cover is glossy and heavier weight as well. It seems like it will be much more durable. This is a wonderful improvement to a great book. I really appreciate that she contacted me personally and sent me a new upgraded copy. Changing my review to 5 stars!
This book is great as a how-to guide. The figures turn out really cute and the instructions on how to customize them are really good.
The only thing that surprised me was the paper the book was printed on. The book was very expensive and I did not expect it to be printed on such thin paper. The pages don't seem like they will be very durable with much use. I would have been happier if it had higher quality - thicker or laminated - pages. If the book is to continue being sold at such a high price, the quality of the pages needs to improve a lot.
27 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
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I absolutely love this book!
I absolutely love this book! I was on the fence at first about purchasing it due to the price point, but it is definitely worth it. It surpassed my expectations and I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in creating stitch people. Before purchasing this book, I tried to create a cross stitch portrait with what patterns I could find on the internet and it turned out awful! After buying this book I attempted again and with all its helpful hints an numerous combinations of hair styles and clothing options, it turned out fantastic. The book also includes cats and dogs, some accessories and access to newly created patterns e-mailed out by the author (some of my very favorites!).
12 people found this helpful
★★★★★
4.0
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SO many patterns, but pricey!
Although the initial price was shocking, my daughter-in-law asked specifically for this book, so I bought it anyway. Although the book is adorable, coming from someone who has done cross stitch for many years, I still can't find adequate justification for the price. (great instructional book, useful patterns, not a lot of competition..... it seems to me they charge this much because they can..... and people (like me) still pay.
With that being said, the book is so fun! It's easy to read and has great information and tips for beginners. The book provides simple patterns and countless combinations for customizing people, pets and families. My daughter-in-law plans on using the book to help her make cross stitch family portraits for friends and family. This book will easily allow her to do that for families of every size, shape, color, hairstyle, fashion sense, etc. If love can bring them together, she can cross stitch them! Based on the examples at the back of the book, they are going to be ADORABLE.... and the hit of every bridal or baby shower, wedding, birthday, Christmas, etc.
Pros:
Easy to use, for beginners on up
Instructional, with helpful tips and tricks
Pages are nice, thick, good quality paper
Lay flat pages make it easier to use
Includes every hairstyle, clothing style, facial hair, pet varieties, etc.
Cons:
PRICE $$$
Lacks a little in "accessory" options
Color swatches not shown for color recommendations
Spiral binding may make it easier to work with, but doesn't denote quality (or the high price point), nor does it bode well for longevity & durability
9 people found this helpful
★★★★★
3.0
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Cute idea, but not worth $50.....
I think the whole idea of being able to customize your cross stitch projects to make them special and personal is great, but honestly, after being an avid cross-stitcher for many years, I found these patterns to be overly simplistic. Directions for outlining would make a world of difference, adding much more detail and make the designs "pop."
In addition, I feel that $50 was really a steep price now that I see what the patterns entail, as well as the extremely thin pages and cheap spiral binding - something tells me this book will not hold up for years to come! :( Not to mention that once you "register" your book on the online website, they begin to harass you with endless emails.....🙄
9 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
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You won't regret getting this amazing book!
You may look at the purchase price and hesitate like I did...but don't make my mistake. I could have been enjoying this book all this time!! I LOVE it. I finally ordered it recently and it came a couple of days ago. There are so many options...it feels they are endless...hair, clothes, shoes, accessories, dogs and cats...you can create portraits that really look like who you want them to!!
Even better, once you've purchased the book, you have access to the extras area of the webpage which includes some fun things such as a baby sitting and a basic military uniform!
I ran right out the morning after I received this to buy some more grid paper and immediately sketched out our wedding portrait (included here minus our family name) and then our family portait including our son, 2 dogs, and cat!! Too much fun!!!
I then purchased her Farm Animals book...lol. Chickens would be perfect in my sisters family portrait!! And she has a new book coming out soon...Occupations...which I seriously cannot wait to get!!! I'm SO excited to see everything in it!!!
Bottom line...buy this book. Now. Don't wait!! I'm having as much fun designing as I will stitching!!
8 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
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I'm making all the stitch people
Oh my goodness! This book is such a gem. I've wanted to do a little stitch family portrait since seeing one on Pinterest last year. I stumbled across this book on Facebook and now kess than a week later I have a finished piece. I've never cross stitched before, this book made it simple. Love the variety of designs that are included. I'm posting a picture of my first project which is a gift for a sweet friend. I highly recommend this book.
7 people found this helpful
★★★★★
3.0
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Cute, But Overpriced
It's really a $20 value. Book provides really basic patterns for clothing and hairstyles. Not much guidance for details - pretty much the advice of the book over and over again is "be creative!" For $50, I expect detailed patterns. Honestly, what is included in the book can pretty much be pieced together yourself from pictures on Pinterest. However, for $20 it would be worthwhile to have a handy reference. If you're looking to make wedding gifts, be mindful that there's NO specific patterns or guidance for wedding apparel - not even any direction on how to convey lace on a wedding dress (and I emailed the author and she had no worthwhile suggestions). I'll probably keep the book just because I already have it, but I wouldn't recommend purchasing it for the price point.
5 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
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Amazing
This book is amazing! Sure,you can design your own people and maybe that's an option if you are planning on doing just one project. However, if you want to make more as gifts this books takes all of the guesswork out of designing the perfect people for your project.
The author provides in depth instructions for stitching, project dimensions, suggested thread colors and lots of notes for specific patterns. This book includes tons of outfits, styles, heights and examples. There were some items that I wish were included but after registering my book I was sent a link with tons of freebies that were exactly what I was looking for.
It's a pricey book but extremely well thought out and worth the money if you plan on making lots of projects like I am. I highly recommend this book!
5 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
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Must Buy!
OMG, so much fun. I can pick body type, hair (or lack there of), facial features, clothes and it becomes my georgeous 6ft. tall son. Cute, tiny, pixie face, funky clothes, attitude, hair style and it becomes my adorable. If you cross stitch and want to get creative, this book is worth the price. You WILL enjoy it.
5 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
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I LOVE this book
I LOVE this book. I've had it for about 4 months now and I'm still loving it! I'm doing family stitch people for my Christmas presents, and I love picking out each person and making every detail to look just like them. The possibilities are endless! And I love the thoughtfulness of the gift when I'm done. It really gives you an opportunity to give someone a nice, thoughtful gift, which is hard these days. And they still turn out modern and cute with a nice white picture frame. And frankly it's relaxing to sit down and cross stitch. Love it!
