This is a colorful reference catalog of some 203 embroidery stitches, including those for both fabric and canvas. A British needlecraft fashion designer, Barnden allots one page to each stitch description. Each stitch also receives several full-size photos-using different weights and colors of thread or yarn-plus a written description of how the stitch is worked and a numbered diagram. Footnotes give advice on marking fabric and how and where to use the stitch, as well as other names by which the stitch is known. A visual index called the stitch selector groups the examples into broad categories, such as chain stitches and feather stitches; each is displayed in a thumbnail sketch and indicates the page for the full description. As with most embroidery books, no provision is made for the left-handed stitcher, but the diagrams are so clear that lefties could view them with little trouble by holding a mirror at right angles to the book. The binding is hardcover with an interior spiral. This is an essential purchase for large public libraries and would be an excellent choice for small libraries lacking an embroidery stitch compendium. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.