Jan Messant is an exceptional needlepoint designer and author.   I carry several of her books here.   In my out-of-print books section I have her Designing With Motifs and Borders, which fits in well with my current obsession with borders.  Also her new, currently in print book, Embroidered Potraits, a wonderful resource for stitchers working with faces in thier needlewoek (and faces are very popular right now).  

As usual, quoting (and paraphasing/editing) from the dust jacket flap:

"This is the first book to suggest ways of adapting designs from ancient and primitive sources to create beautiful new pieces of needlework."

"Jan Messant covers a wide range of previously untapped design sources from the Stone Age and Bronze Ages through the arts on Ancient Greece, The Celts, Aztecs, and Indians to modern African and South American cultures.   Designs are adapted from textiles, ceramics, coins, glass, and jewelry."

"Ways of translating the designs into embroidery, along with suitable techniques, are graphically illustrated with attractive drawings."

'Techniques include Assisi Work, Blackwork, Needlepoint, Cutwork, Shadow Work, Smocking, Surface Stitchery, Couching Applique, Patchwork, Quilting, Pulled Work, Drawnthread Work, Needleweaving, Sprang, Twining, Netting, Machine Embroidery, Metal Thread Embroidery, and Three-Dimensional Embroidery among others."

Well, that is an exhausting list by itself.  What is Sprang & what is Twining?   I have no idea but I am sure some of you know.

This book is full of pictures, graphs, line drawings, charts, and full color pictures.  Lots of pictures.  The book begins with Purpose & Materials, then The Use Of Found Objects, a large section on Techniques.

Then about Primitive Design, Where To Look, How To Look, another good size chapter on Some Ways Of Making A Design, Methods Of Designing, etc.

The bulk of the book is pictures, ideas and how to create needlework from them.  There are no specific projects but just ideas, inspiration and so many gorgeous & interesting picturea.

Designinbg For Needlepoint and Embroidery From Ancient and Primitive Sources is a coffee table size hard cover book.  Published by Macmilan Publishing Co in New York and London, this book was printed in England in 1976.   It has 128 pages and a full index.

The book itself is in better condition than the dust jacket which is quite rubbed looking with bent edges.  The book inside is good.  The pages are somewhat yellowed by age.  My only concern is the spine.  it looks and feels solid.  There are no loose or falling pages but I don't like the sound of it when I open the book.  The spine *creaks*.

I recently bought this collection of fine vintage & out-of-print needlework books from Carol Korman.   Carol is, like me, very interested in Color and Color Theory.  There are many excellent books on this among the books she sent me.   Some of these books are very rare and unique.

 Carol was raised in Anchorage, Alaska.  Her Husband travelled the world as a Civil Engineer, they lived in 6 countries over 22 years.   She studied Needlepoint and Embroidery all over the world.

 On retirement she took classes at the EGA (Embroidery Guild of America) and ANG (American Needlepoint Guild).  She became certified as a Needlework Judge for both EGA & ANG.

Carol went on the become a Master EGA Needlework Judge.

In 2000 Carol Korman became ANG Western Area Representative, she was president on ANG from 2006 to 2008.

 Carol and her husband live in Texas, at 80 she still stitches.  Carol and I both hope that her books add to your pleasure as you pursue Needlepoint